Page Menu

Insulation/Air Sealing Guidelines

The purpose of the Insulation and Air Sealing program is to encourage the installation of insulation and air sealing in existing electrically heated residential member homes. This energy efficiency program can help members save money on their home’s energy costs, increase the home’s comfort level and help URE delay the need for additional generation sources to meet future energy needs.

A. Specific Requirements

  1. Insulation and air sealing upgrades must be installed by a licensed contractor. Do-it-yourself insulation and air sealing upgrade projects are not eligible for this rebate.
  2. All projects must comply with applicable federal, state and local laws and building codes.
  3. Rebate request must be submitted to URE no later than June 30, 2024
  4. Only one rebate is permitted per residence.

B. Eligibility for Rebate

  1. All qualifying insulation and air sealing upgrades must be installed in an electrically heated residential home which receives its electric power from a participating Ohio electric cooperative (that receives power for this facility from URE). Homes with dual fuel heating systems are applicable for this program.
  2. All projects must be completed between July 1 and June 30.
  3. Consumer-member of participating Cooperative must own the residence and be the homeowner of record.
  4. All projects must be a retrofit installation in an existing residential home.
  5. This rebate program is for attic, exterior house wall, duct, exterior basement wall, or crawlspace wall insulation and/or for air sealing upgrades only. Air sealing does not include product replacement (e.g. replacement of windows, doors, lighting fixtures, etc.).
  6. Installations that are not eligible for a rebate include the following: new construction, room additions, garages, sheds, workshops, interior home walls, sound proofing applications, properties with more than two units.
  7. To meet insulation requirements, contractor must follow ENERGY STAR guidelines and achieve
    minimum insulation values of:

    • R-16 for exterior house walls
    • R-38 for attic
    • R-10 for exterior basement walls
    • R-10 for crawlspace walls (installation of minimum 6-mil poly on floor is required). Use of foam insulation is encouraged.
    • R-6 for duct insulation
      Any one, or combination of, the above could qualify for the insulation rebate.
  8. To meet Air Sealing requirements, contractor must follow ENERGY STAR guidelines and achieve readings as shown below in Section C, as applicable.
  9. Rebate is to be paid to the Cooperative consumer who owns the home.

C. Conditions of Rebate

  1. A duct blast test is required for all duct sealing upgrades. Final test results after duct sealing must achieve less than or equal to 12CFM25 per 100 sq. ft. to be eligible for rebate.
  2. A blower door test is required for all air sealing projects. Final test results after air sealing upgrade must achieve less than 4,000 CFM50 to be eligible for rebate. Installation of exterior basement wall insulation and/or crawlspace wall insulation (with 6-mil poly) is considered an insulation rebate and not an air sealing rebate.
  3. The Cooperative shall verify completed installation meets program guidelines.

D. Rebate

  1. A rebate of up to $800 will be paid to the member for installation of insulation that meets all program requirements and specifications. Total insulation rebate to consumer-member is limited to no more than $800 or 50% of the total project cost for insulation (whichever is lower). Project cost includes the cost of installation.
  2. A rebate of up to $400 will be paid to the member for installation of air sealing that meets all program requirements and specifications. Total air sealing rebate to consumer-member is limited to no more than $400 or 50% of the total project cost for air sealing (whichever is lower).
  3. The rebate goes to the Cooperative consumer who owns the home.
  4. Only one rebate application may be paid per home. Rebate paid can be for insulation and/or air sealing.
  5. Insulation or air sealing installed with funding (or applicable for a rebate) from another noncooperative utility incentive program are not eligible for this program.
  6. A copy of licensed contractor’s invoice to member (which includes a detailed cost breakout for each area of work/R-value improvement) is required before rebate can be paid. Requests for rebate reimbursement will not be processed until all required documentation is received.

E. Eligibility for Participation

The member must be a member of URE.

Updated 07/16/2023