# Homeowner Energy Freedom Act - Plain Language Summary

This bill would eliminate three federal programs that help homeowners make their homes more energy efficient. Specifically, it would get rid of a rebate program that gives homeowners money back when they switch to electric appliances like heat pumps and electric stoves, a program that trains contractors to install these energy-efficient systems, and a program that helps states adopt updated building codes that require new homes to be more energy efficient. The bill also would take back any federal money that hasn't been spent yet under these programs.

If this bill becomes law, homeowners who were counting on government rebates to help pay for switching to electric heating, cooling, or cooking would lose that financial assistance. Right now, these rebates can cover a significant portion of the cost—sometimes thousands of dollars—making it more affordable for average families to upgrade their homes. Without these programs, fewer contractors would be trained to do this work, potentially making it harder to find qualified installers and likely keeping prices higher. Additionally, new homes built in states that adopted stricter energy codes would no longer have that requirement, meaning builders could construct less efficient homes that would cost owners more to heat and cool over time.

The practical effect is that switching to electric home systems would become more expensive and complicated for homeowners, and new construction standards for energy efficiency would be rolled back in many states. This would likely slow down the transition to electric home systems and could increase energy costs for homeowners in the long run.

Homeowner Energy Freedom Act

McMorris Rodgers, Cathy

Homeowner Energy Freedom Act This bill repeals provisions of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2022 relating to (1) the high-efficiency electric home rebate program, (2) state-based home energy efficiency contractor training grants, and (3) assistance for the adoption of the latest building energy and zero building energy codes. It also rescinds any unobligated balances available for such programs.