Carrboro WISE Program

Carrboro WISE Homes & Buildings Program
Carrboro has expanded the Town-wide energy efficiency program to include subsidies for residential energy assessments and energy efficiency improvements. Funding for the subsidies is being provided by the U.S. Department of Energy through a grant being administered by the Southeastern Energy Efficiency Alliance, made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Carrboro, through a Memorandum of Agreement with Chapel Hill and support from its contractor Clean Energy Solutions (CESI), has developed a network of prequalified contractors who will conduct energy assessments and improvements for eligible homeowners.

Energy Assessments
The Town will subsidize up to $150 of the cost of the assessment for a residence. It is the homeowner's responsibility to cover the rest of the cost of the assessment, and contact the prequalified contractors to arrange for the energy assessment.

Additional Information about the home energy assessment subsidy can be found by clicking HERE.

Energy Efficiency Improvements
The Town will also provide subsidies that will lower the cost of eligible home improvements by 20-40%. These subsidies are designed to incent "deep" energy efficiency improvements, meaning 15% or greater energy savings per home.

Goals of the Program
  • Reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions
  • Lower utility bills
  • Create jobs
  • Assist in the development of a local home and building retrofit market
  • Create a sustainable program that lasts beyond grant funding
Program Participation Eligibility
  • Primary residence is located within Carrboro town limits
  • Primary residence is owner-occupied
  • Primary residence is a single-family detached structure
Eligible Home Improvements & Subsidy Levels
40% subsidy (after all other incentives):
  • Envelope air sealing and insulation improvements
  • Duct sealing and repair
  • Outdoor thermostats for homes with heat-pumps
20% subsidy (after all other incentives):
  • Heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) upgrades
  • Energy-efficient appliances
  • Hot water heater replacements
  • Re-circulating hot water systems
  • Programmable thermostats in gas-heated homes
  • Lighting upgrades
  • Solar thermal hot water
  • Solar photovoltaic or geothermal renewable energy systems only if in combination with energy efficiency improvements estimated to generate 15% or more energy savings
Determining Eligibility
The Town of Carrboro will work with prequalified contractors to make the final determination about all eligible home improvements. The maximum subsidy per home is $1,500 for jobs that have estimated energy savings of 15% or more. All program subsidies are subject to the availability of grant funding.

Program Documents

Carrboro Commercial Program
Carrboro has previously  launched an energy efficiency revolving loan fund for small businesses in Carrboro.
Chapel Hill WISE Program
With funding from the same grant, the Town of Chapel Hill has launched a town-wide energy efficiency program for homeowners. For more information, please visit their website.