# Plain Language Summary: Cool Roof Rebate Act of 2024

This bill creates a federal rebate program that gives money back to homeowners who install "cool roofs"—roofs designed to reflect more sunlight and heat away from buildings. The Department of Energy would run the program and offer rebates between $0.25 and $0.75 per square foot of roof installed, depending on how reflective the roof material is. For a typical 2,000 square foot roof, this could mean anywhere from $500 to $1,500 back in your pocket. The program would run from 2025 through 2029 and has $25 million per year budgeted to pay out these rebates.

To qualify for the rebate, you need to meet specific income and location requirements. Your household income must be less than 200 percent of the median income in your zip code (meaning you're not wealthy by local standards), and you need to live in an area that experiences significant heat and health risks according to the CDC's Heat and Health Index. The bill prioritizes helping people in communities that are hit hardest by extreme heat. You can also stack this rebate with other financial assistance programs—if you're getting help from another source, you can still use this rebate too.

The rebate amounts vary based on how "cool" your roof is. A more reflective roof that bounces back more sunlight gets a higher rebate. The bill also distinguishes between flat roofs and sloped roofs, since they reflect heat differently. Whether you're replacing an old roof entirely or just upgrading an existing one, you're eligible. After the program ends in 2029, the Department of Energy has to report back to Congress about what types of roofs people chose and whether they were replacing old roofs or installing new ones, helping policymakers understand if the program actually worked to reduce heat in vulnerable communities.