Community Energy Rebate Program

The Decatur Community Energy Rebate Program is a first-of-its-kind initiative to support homeowners to improve their home comfort, replace aging appliances with new energy-efficient, electric models, and reduce household energy consumption. Grounded in the 2020 Strategic Plan and the 2022 Clean Energy Plan, this program is the next step the City of Decatur is taking to advance bold climate action.

The first phase of the rebate program launches on May 27th, 2026! Get notified of any Community Energy Rebate Program announcements by registering for Decatur News announcements and joining the Electrify Decatur mailing list. Keep reading for details on who qualifies, projects eligible for rebates, and the application process!

Homeowner Eligibility 

The Community Energy Rebate Program is available to City of Decatur homeowners that meet each of the following criteria:

• City of Decatur homeowners must own and occupy the property as their primary residence.
• Proof of home ownership (such as a deed, proof of mortgage payment, or other documentation) and proof of occupancy (such as a utility bill in owner’s name) must be provided as part of the rebate application process.
• Property must be located within Decatur city limits.
• Property must be a residential, owner-occupied, one-to-four-unit structure. Owner-occupied condominium and townhome units will be considered eligible subject to governing considerations such as Homeowners Association requirements and limitations, if applicable.
• Property must not have delinquent City of Decatur and DeKalb County real estate taxes and fees.
• Participating properties must be free of code or nuisance citations.
   

Annual Household Rebate Caps 

All City of Decatur homeowners meeting the eligibility requirements above may be considered for funding through the City's program. The total amount of funds that may be provided to a household in a single calendar year is determined by their total household income as a percentage of the Area Median Income (AMI) for their household size. The Area Median Income used in the City's program is defined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell metropolitan statistical area (MSA). The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) provides a useful Rebate Eligibility Calculator Tool that interested residents can use to determine if their household is above or below 80% AMI. 

• $3,000 - Households earning at or below 80% AMI for their household size may receive up to $3,000 of funding through this program in a single calendar year.
• $2,000 - Households earning above 80% AMI may receive up to $2,000 of funding in a single calendar year. 

Eligible Projects and Maximum Rebate Amounts 

The Community Energy Rebate Program will be launched in two phases:

Phase 1 - Contractor-Led Projects

Only projects requiring a contractor will be eligible for rebates through the City’s program in the first phase. These projects are listed in the table below. For each, the rebate provided shall be the lesser of the maximum rebate listed or fifty percent (50%) of the cost, unless otherwise indicated. For projects that receive additional funding from the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority’s Home Energy Rebates, the rebate amount under the City’s program may be reduced such that the combined funding does not exceed the total project cost. Rebates will be provided to participating homeowners by the performing contractor as a point-of-sale discount. Following completion of the eligible project, the City will disburse payment to the performing contractor in the amount of the approved rebate. 

Items noted with an asterisk (*) must be ENERGY STAR certified. Electrical panel upgrades must be necessary to complete another eligible measure to be considered for a rebate under the City's program. 

Phase 2 - Do-It-Yourself (DIY) 

In the second phase of the rebate program’s launch, additional projects and technologies will become eligible for rebates, as well as the projects eligible under phase one. The projects in phase two may not require a professional to install. Additional details regarding phase two will be provided at a later date.

Application Process

Applications to Phase 1 of the Community Energy Rebate Program will have two parts, both of which are required for the funding for your project to be secured and disbursed upon completion. 

1. Pre-Approval Application: Homeowners, or an individual submitting on the homeowner's behalf, will confirm their eliigibility to receive a rebate, provide details on their planned project and selected contractor, and submit required documentation for review by City staff. Completed applications that comply with the program guidelines will be accepted, and rebate funds will be set aside until project completion. The performing contractor will provide a point-of-sale discount to the homeowner in an amount equal to the approved rebate. See the Pre-Approval Application page for the link to the application form and additional instructions.
2. Post-Completion Application: The performing contractor will complete this application and provide proof of project completion, a final project invoice, and other documentation to confirm that program guidelines were followed. Following a review by City staff, a rebate payment will be provided to the performing contractor in the amount that was provided to the homeowner as a point-of-sale discount.