The Duke Energy HERO program is an initiative that provides incentives to builders for constructing energy-efficient homes in North Carolina. The program operates under Duke Energy Carolinas (DEC) and Duke Energy Progress (DEP), both of which offer different rebate amounts and criteria.

Here are the incentives provided by both:

1. Duke Energy Progress (DEP):

• Annual energy use of the home must be less than a HERO reference home
• The home must meet blower door target: 4 ACH50 or less
• At least 90% efficient lighting
• Cash back: $750 per home for HERO only and up to $9,000 per home for HERO + HERS score
• Equipment incentives: Rebates for specific high-efficiency equipment such as water heaters and heating and cooling systems can earn up to $750

2. Duke Energy Carolinas (DEC):

• Annual energy use of the home must be less than a HERO reference home
• The home must meet blower door target: 4 ACH50 or less
• At least 90% efficient lighting
• Cash back: $650 per home for HERO only and up to $6,000 per home for HERO + HERS score
• Equipment incentives: Rebates for specific high-efficiency equipment such as water heaters and heating and cooling systems can earn up to $300

To participate, builders should apply at the official Duke Energy website: duke-energyrncinfo.com

In addition to the HERO program, there's the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) which will provide nearly $200 million in new funding to North Carolina for rebates to help make energy efficiency upgrades to single and multifamily homes. These rebates are split into two programs; the HOMES program and the High-Efficiency Electric Home rebate program (HEEH). The HOMES program will allocate over $98 million to North Carolina to address whole-house energy efficiency upgrades.