Rebates and tax credits in Ohio

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 Ohio 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 Ohio 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.

• Insulation and air sealing rebates (Ohio)

  CenterPoint Energy Ohio · CenterPoint Energy Ohio customers whose primary heat is CenterPoint natural gas (dual-fuel gas furnace and heat pump systems excluded; not new construction)

  Air sealing up to $250; attic insulation up to $600; wall insulation up to $700 (the page words each as "up to $X total cost").

  Ventilation not mentioned in what we read

• Housewarming Program (income-eligible weatherization)

  Enbridge Gas Ohio, with CHN Housing Partners · Eligible Enbridge Gas Ohio customers

  Weatherization help and education, including weather-stripping, insulation, door sweeps and LED bulbs. No dollar amount stated.

  Ventilation not mentioned in what we read

State tax credits

We didn’t find a Ohio 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 Ohio it’s run by Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Office of Community Support Services (Home Weatherization Assistance Program), through local Energy Assistance Providers and Community Action Agencies; income at or below 200% of federal guidelines; apply at energyhelp.ohio.gov.

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

• CenterPoint Energy Ohio requires a program-approved contractor. The attic must be inspected first, and attic insulation gets no rebate unless the attic is air sealed. [s_cnp_oh]