Rhode Island Residential New Construction (RNC) Program & Zero Energy Homes
Rhode Island Energy offers no-cost services and incentives to help you renovate or build an energy efficient home with lower operating costs and increased durability and comfort. Working in partnership with the builder and/or owner, the Residential New Construction (RNC) Program offers energy modeling, design assistance and in-field inspections to help customers achieve energy efficient homes.
Path to Energy Efficiency
A Program HERS Rater will review your plans to determine which incentive level the home will achieve and will
perform inspections during the construction process to verify actual performance.
High Efficiency Electric Homes can qualify for an additional incentive if they meet the following requirements:
– Achieve Tier II or Tier III Path to Energy Efficiency incentive level (see below)
– Be Fossil Fuel Free*
– Install heat pumps from NEEP’s Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump List
– Submit an ACCA approved Manual J load calculation for review to ensure proper sizing
– Use an HVAC Check approved contractor
Path to Zero Net Energy
To qualify for the additional incentives below (either Option A or Option B) projects must:
– Enroll during the early design phase
– PHIUS Certification
– Achieve Tier II or Tier III Path to Energy Efficiency incentive level (see above)
– Be Fossil Fuel Free*
Projects seeking Passive House certification (Option B) are eligible to receive incentives in three installments:
– PHIUS Enrollment/Design Charrette
– PHIUS Pre-certification
– PHIUS Certification
Rhode Island Energy Electric Heating and Cooling Rebate
Standard Rebates
Rhode Island Energy offers rebates for energy-efficient central heat pump and mini-split heat pump systems. A licensed contractor must install the equipment in order to qualify for rebates (with the exception of smart thermostats, which may be self-installed by the
customer). Only qualifying equipment models are eligible. See qualifying equipment and rebate amounts below.
Enhanced Rebates
Rhode Island Energy offers an Enhanced Rebate for energy-efficient central and mini-split heat pumps installed in qualifying homes that heat primarily with electric baseboard resistance heating. To qualify for Enhanced Rebates, customer must meet the following prerequisites:
– Valid Rhode Island Energy
– Home must be fully insulated and weatherized, as recommended or verified through the EnergyWise Program.
– Equipment must be installed by a program-approved contractor. Visit rienrgy.com
– Existing heating system must be electric baseboard resistance heating
