Rebates and tax credits in Nebraska

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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska 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.

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.

• Sustainable Energy Program: sealing and insulation

  Lincoln Electric System (LES) · Existing homes and buildings in the LES service territory (not new construction)

  Attic insulation $0.50 per sq. ft. (from R-19 or less to R-49 or more). Exterior frame wall insulation $0.80 per sq. ft. (no existing wall insulation, to R-13 or more). Up to $1,500 per household.

  Ventilation not mentioned in what we readProgram page: 2026 program (funds January 1 to December 31, 2026; $673,471 left as of October 1, 2026)

• Attic insulation rebate

  Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) · OPPD residential customers; homes built at least 15 years before installation

  $0.25 per sq. ft., maximum $500 with a contractor or $250 self-installed. The attic must reach R-49 or higher. One rebate per address every 15 years. OPPD may limit any rebate to 50% of project cost.

  Ventilation not mentioned in what we readProgram page: Updated August 2026

State tax credits

We didn’t find a Nebraska 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 Nebraska it’s run by Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE).

Before you sign

1. 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.
2. Write down your electric and gas utilities. Rebates usually follow the utility, not the town.
3. Read the conditions: a listed contractor, a qualifying model, your heating fuel, income limits, and install and claim deadlines.
4. Ask each installer whether any discount is already in their price, and who files the paperwork.
5. 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

• LES requires pre-approval and blower door tests before and after the work. A participating contractor submits the project and credits the incentive on your invoice. Funds are first-come, first-served. [s_les_ias, s_les_sep]
• OPPD's attic insulation rebate must be applied for within 90 days of purchase or completion, with an itemized invoice (or photos and receipts for self-installs). [s_oppd]