Two rounds of severe flooding affecting communities across the state have left many Vermonters with steep repair bills. Efficiency Vermont (EV) seeks to provide some measure of relief by extending its 2023 Flood Recovery Rebate program to cover damage done in 2024’s flooding by offering up to $29,500 per household in flood-damage–related repair rebates for low- to moderate-income Vermont homeowners.

“The programs started in response to the summer of 2023’s floods,” said Matthew Smith, public relations manager with EV. In that case, Smith said, the State Emergency Board reallocated $10 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support Vermont’s flood relief program. In addition, $19 million was put aside for EV’s electrical panel update and repair program along with $5 million for its heat-pump water-heater program. After the 2024 flood, Smith said, the State Emergency Board and Gov. Phil Scott gave the okay to the Vermont Public Services Department to extend the rebate program to those whose property incurred damage during that year’s flooding. Smith stressed that the dollars funding the rebate programs are federal.

While not an energy provider, Efficiency Vermont is a nonprofit organization that contracts with the state to increase efficiency in the state’s energy systems and save Vermonters on their energy bills.

Efficiency Vermont’s website elaborates on the $29,500 per household for low- to moderate-income homeowners; it notes that the flood rebate program includes up to $10,000 to replace home heating systems, including new or replacement heat-pump heating systems, central wood or pellet boilers, furnaces, and stoves, or ENERGY STAR-certified appliances — refrigerators, washers/dryers, and the like. Also available to homeowners is $9,500 to weatherize their homes while rebuilding from flood damage. In addition, up to $10,000 is available to update electrical systems.

Businesses are eligible for flood-related rebates as well.

Rental property owners are eligible for up to $10,000 per unit for low- to moderate-income flood-damaged properties. Rebates for low- to moderate-income units cover repairs to appliances, water heating equipment, ductless heat pumps, and central heating systems.

Flood-damaged businesses can receive up to $16,000 in rebates for heating system and commercial kitchen equipment repair or replacement, at a rate of $4,000 per piece of equipment up to four pieces total. Additionally, businesses are eligible to receive $9,500 back for weatherization improvements.

Income eligibility levels apply to these programs. For rental property owners to recoup flood-damage repair outlays, in Washington County, for example, the high-end limit of rent plus utilities for a one-bedroom apartment is $2,372 per month and $2,846 per month for a two-bedroom apartment. The income eligibility table, available on Efficiency Vermont’s website, ranges from studio apartments to five-bedroom apartments. For personal income eligibility in Washington County, the high end of the low-income category for a one-person household is $59,050 per year. The high end of the moderate-income category is $88,550 per year for a one-person household. The income eligibility table ranges from households of one to those of eight, topping out in Washington County at an eight-person household with a total household income of $166,950 per year.

In addition to the rebates, low- to moderate-income households are eligible for a 90-minute virtual home energy visit by Efficiency Vermont to assess repair options. Also available are 0% home energy loans that can be accessed in addition to any rebates. Businesses are eligible for a 100% rebate on ENERGY STAR-certified fossil fuel boiler and furnace replacements up to $4,000. Larger-scale projects require additional review.

For more information, go to efficiencyvermont.com.