Checked October 19, 2026

Rebates and tax credits in Hawaii

Federal tax credits ended for work done after 2025. What still helps pay for fresh air in Hawaii is below, checked October 19, 2026. Programs change and money runs out, so check each one’s own page before you buy or sign.

Money toward an HRV or ERV Other states

HRV or ERV, in plain words

Fresh in, stale out Two fans swap stale indoor air for outdoor air all night, and can supply a closed bedroom.
Keeps much of the heat The two streams pass through a core, so winter air comes in warmed. An open window can’t.
HRV or ERV? HRV: heat recovery ventilator (heat). ERV: energy recovery ventilator (heat and some moisture).
Not a purifier A purifier cleans the air you have but brings none in, so CO₂ stays put.

Measure first: you may not need one.HRV vs ERV guide Units we’ve reviewed

None found for HRVs or ERVsToward an HRV or ERV
Not launched yetFederal HEAR rebate, run by the state
None foundAir sealing and insulation programs
Not confirmedState tax credits for this work

Money toward an HRV or ERV

Programs that pay toward the unit itself. Some take the money off at the distributor, so ask whether an installer’s price already includes it.

We didn’t find a program in Hawaii that names HRVs or ERVs. Your electric and gas utilities are still worth asking: search “[utility] HRV rebate” and “[utility] ERV rebate”.

Federal home energy rebates

Federal money that Hawaii runs. HEAR has a category for “insulation, air sealing, and ventilation” worth up to $1,600 for households under 150% of area median income; each state decides what counts as ventilation. ENERGY STAR’s table for HEAR says this category requires ENERGY STAR certification, and ENERGY STAR’s U.S. criteria for ventilation cover fans, not HRVs or ERVs, so ask the program whether an HRV or ERV counts before relying on it. HOMES pays toward whole-home upgrades modeled to save energy.

HEAR in Hawaii

Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (also called HEEHR)

Not launched yetVentilation category

Hawaii's program, called eHale Energy Saver, is 'Currently Pending US Department of Energy Approval of launch' and the State Energy Office says it will be available in early 2027. Its HEEHR pathway lists 'Insulation, air sealing and mechanical ventilation products.' No product list has been published, so whether an HRV or ERV would count is unknown.

Who qualifies: Households under 150% of AMI. Under 80% AMI may receive up to 100% of eligible project cost; 80% to 150% AMI up to 50%.

HOMES in Hawaii

Whole-home rebates, based on modeled or measured savings

Not launched yetVentilation not confirmed

The HOMES pathway (whole-home retrofits with at least one major heating, cooling, envelope or water heating upgrade) is not open. The State Energy Office says 'Timing for program approval is currently unknown.'

Air sealing and insulation

These programs are more common than ventilation rebates, and sealing a house is often what makes it need planned fresh air. If a program is sealing yours, ask whether it requires ventilation afterward and whether it pays for it.

We didn’t find a statewide or large-utility air sealing program in Hawaii. Check your utilities’ rebate pages.

State tax credits

We didn’t find a Hawaii tax credit for ventilation, air sealing or insulation, and couldn’t confirm there is none.

Low-income help

The federal Weatherization Assistance Program can pay for air sealing, insulation and, where needed, ventilation at no cost to households that qualify by income. In Hawaii it’s run by Office of Community Services, Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (linked from the State Energy Office). For households within 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline; measures listed include low-flow showerheads, aerators, LED lighting and power strips..

Before you sign

Don’t start work yet. Many programs need pre-approval, a participating contractor or a test first, and work begun early often can’t qualify.
Write down your electric and gas utilities. Rebates usually follow the utility, not the town.
Read the conditions: a listed contractor, a qualifying model, your heating fuel, income limits, and install and claim deadlines.
Ask each installer whether any discount is already in their price, and who files the paperwork.
Get it in writing: each rebate, who applies for it, and what happens to the price if it’s denied.

More on costs and how to check: What drives the cost of ventilation and How to compare quotes.

Worth knowing

No Hawaii program was found that pays for an HRV, ERV, insulation or air sealing. Hawaii Energy's rebate page lists water heating, appliances, cooling and 'additional savings,' all first-come, first-served and subject to funds; Kauai is served by KIUC instead (hi4, hi2).
An older State Energy Office page says HEAR is 'expected to start late Summer or early Fall' with no year (hi6). The eHale page (early 2027) is the current one.
State tax: not checked with the Hawaii Department of Taxation. A third-party site says Hawaii's renewable energy technologies credit covers only solar and wind (homeenergybasics.com, September 16, 2026; not official) (hi5).

Not tax or legal advice. We list what each program’s own pages said on the date shown, never which to choose, and we don’t know whether you qualify.