HERO Code Builder Rebate Program
Earn cash back from Duke Energy for building energy efficient homes.
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Earn Incentives for Energy Efficiency
HERO Code — or High-Efficiency Residential Option — is a voluntary section of the 2018 North Carolina Conservation Energy Code.
The Duke Energy Residential New Construction Program offers generous cash incentives to builders and developers who build energy-efficient single or multifamily residences that meet HERO Code targets.
With rebates of up to $9,000 *per home*, it’s a win-win situation. Your homeowners get a quality assured and energy-efficient product and you get cash back!
Who Can Participate?
- Single-family homes or multifamily developments, three or fewer stories, qualify for either the Equipment Incentives or the Whole-Home Incentives (incentives cannot be combined).
- Multifamily buildings with four stories or more can still qualify for the Equipment Incentive
- Projects must be new construction or gut renovations served by Duke Energy Progress or Duke Energy Carolinas.
- Homes must receive a confirmed HERS Rating including the pre-drywall inspection.
- Homes must be enrolled in the program within six months of completion.
HERO Rebate Pathways
There are two options to choose from:
- Whole-Home Incentive Program
- Equipment Incentives Pathway
Unfortunately, these incentives don’t stack and you can only choose one pathway. To really maximize your incentives, we advise you choose the HERO+HERS Score Whole-Home Incentive option. Learn more below!
Whole Home Incentives
Within the Whole-Home Incentive option, there are two pathways for compliance: HERO Only or HERO + HERS Score.
Duke Energy Progress
| HERO Only | HERO + HERS Score |
|---|---|
| Annual energy use is less than HERO reference home | Annual energy use is less than HERO reference home |
| Blower door target: 4.00 ACH50 | Blower door target: ≤ 4.00 ACH50 or 0.24 CFM50/SFSA |
| 90% or greater efficient lighting | 90% or greater efficient lighting |
| $750 per home | Up to $9,000 per home |
Duke Energy Carolinas
| HERO Only | HERO + HERS Score |
|---|---|
| Annual energy use is less than HERO reference home | Annual energy use is less than HERO reference home |
| Blower door target: 4.00 ACH50 | Blower door target: ≤ 4.00 ACH50 or 0.24 CFM50/SFSA |
| 90% or greater efficient lighting | 90% or greater efficient lighting |
| $650 per home | Up to $6,000 per home |
Duke Energy Carolinas - Climate Zone 3
| Above Code Entry (ACE) | ACE + HERS |
|---|---|
| Meet all RNC requirements with the exception of slab edge insulation in Climate Zone 3 | Meet all RNC + HERS requirements with the exception of slab edge insulation in Climate Zone 3 |
| Blower door target: 4.00 ACH50 | Blower door target: ≤ 4.00 ACH50 or 0.24 CFM50/SFSA |
| 90% or greater efficient lighting | 90% or greater efficient lighting |
| $500 per home | Up to $6,000 per home |
Equipment Incentives
You can earn up to $750 (DEP) and up to $300 (DEC) for specific high-efficiency equipment such as water heaters and heating and cooling systems.
Remember, you cannot participate in both the Whole-Home Incentive and the Equipment Incentives. You must choose one or the other.
The Equipment Incentives pathway is best as a fall-back plan for homes that don’t meet Whole Home HERS+HERO requirements.
As applicable, the equipment incentive may require you to provide appropriate documentation, including an invoice from the HVAC company indicating equipment size and SEER, a quality installation checklist, and corresponding AHRI certificates.
Interested in Equipment Incentives for multifamily buildings with four stories or more? Reach out to Jacob Hauser for more information: jacob@southern-energy.com
How Much Do You Qualify For?
Southern Energy Management conducts free building plan analysis to see how much money you qualify for now, and how much you could qualify for moving forward.
How To Participate
Step 1
Get started: Send us building plans for review and value engineering to maximize incentives.
Step 2
Schedule inspections: a pre-drywall insulation inspection and a final inspection for duct and blower door testing.
Step 3
Collect your rebates! We submit applications, so all you have to do is kick back, relax, and wait on a check from Duke Energy.
Turn-Key HERO Program Services
No matter which option you choose to go with under Whole-Home Incentives, the homes you are building will require a HERS Rating to meet HERO Code.
Southern Energy Management is a RESNET Certified HERS Rater with a team of highly trained raters and quality assurance designees. We provide HERS rating services and an energy summary report with the annual kWh savings for each home.
Since all homes require a HERS Rating, by default your home will be analyzed for the Whole Home HERO+HERS Score pathway to maximize your rebate potential. If the 4ACH50 blower door target is not met but the home still qualifies for Whole Home HERO Only targets, we will enroll the home for the $500-$750 HERO Only Rebate.
Maximize Your Value!
Be the HERO your customers deserve with Duke Energy’s Residential New Construction Program. We’re here to help you get started! From value engineering to optional air sealing packages, our turnkey services are designed to maximize your incentives.
Schedule a Free Assessment
Book a call with our building performance team to get started!
- Justin Whaley
- (919) 602-6186
- jwhaley@southern-energy.com
Mattamy Homes continues to find immense value in the Residential New Construction program. We love the program and think that it’s been a great fit for us.
Rich Sherman,
Vice President of Construction Operations, Mattamy Homes
Garman Homes has been a big advocate of the HERO program for several years while completing almost 200 homes per year with over 90% of our homes reaching the HERO level. We have been able to capture these rebates while also providing homeowners with what the market demands. By using the gas equipment in our homes and also building the home with energy efficiency in mind, we are able to provide an efficient home which gives the customer what they want and deserve.
Brandon DeLong,
Purchasing Manager, Garman Homes
Ready to Get Started?
Schedule a meeting with us today to review your home performance goals and challenges.
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