Checked October 19, 2026

Rebates and tax credits in South Carolina

Federal tax credits ended for work done after 2025. What still helps pay for fresh air in South Carolina 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 ERVOther 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 guideUnits we’ve reviewed

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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina

Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (also called HEEHR)

Not launched yetVentilation category

South Carolina's Home Energy Rebates are not available yet. The SC Energy Office says they are "expected to launch statewide in 2026" and that final program details are still in development. Planned measures include insulation, air sealing, duct sealing and "materials to improve ventilation"; insulation, air sealing and ventilation work must be done by a program-approved contractor. HRVs and ERVs are not named. The page says HEAR rebates go "up to $14,000".

Who qualifies: Households earning less than 150% of the area median income (AMI) for their county.

HOMES in South Carolina

Whole-home rebates, based on modeled or measured savings

Not launched yetVentilation not confirmed

South Carolina's Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) will be open to households of any income, with a higher share of project costs for households below 80% of AMI, "ranging from $2,000 to $16,000". A certified contractor leads the project, does the assessment and upgrades, and receives the rebate. Not yet available.

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.

  • Smart $aver home improvement rebates (insulate and seal)

    Duke Energy · Duke Energy customers in South Carolina (the release does not say Duke Energy Carolinas, Duke Energy Progress or both)

    Not stated. The release says "Seal and insulate your home and save through rebate program."

    Not stated in the release. Duke also offers a free Home Energy House Call assessment (in-home or virtual) with a free efficiency kit.

    Ventilation not mentioned in what we readProgram page: 2024-12-18

  • Ductwork Improvement Rebate

    Dominion Energy South Carolina · Dominion Energy South Carolina residential electric customers

    Duct sealing: $300. Duct insulation (including complete ductwork replacement): $300.

    Duct leakage testing with a duct blaster before and after sealing. Work by a Licensed Mechanical Contractor; DIY does not qualify. Submit the application and a detailed invoice within 90 days of installation. Full eligibility rules are on the back of the application, which was not read. The page does not mention ventilation.

    Ventilation not mentioned in what we read

State tax credits

We didn’t find a South Carolina 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 South Carolina it’s run by South Carolina Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO).

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

  • The SC Energy Office says residents may combine HOMES or HEAR with the Weatherization Assistance Program, but not use two funding sources for the same upgrade. It suggests WAP and utility programs for urgent upgrades in the meantime. (source s23)
  • Santee Cooper's June 2024 residential bill insert offered a $500 rebate for improving ductwork in single-family and multifamily homes ("Qualifications Apply"). It is from 2024; check with Santee Cooper that it still runs. (source s25)
  • South Carolina's sales tax exemption and $750 income tax credit for ENERGY STAR manufactured homes ended July 1, 2024 (SC Department of Revenue Information Letter #24-5). That letter mentions no tax incentive for insulation, air sealing, HVAC or ventilation in existing homes. (source s26)
  • No utility rebate naming HRVs or ERVs was found among the utilities checked.

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.

Sources