Top 10 Data Requirements You Need to Know About the IRA Home Energy Rebates Data And Tools Requirements

On July 27, 2023, the DOE released the “IRA Home Energy Rebates: Data And Tools Requirements Guide” which outlined the data that must be collected, tracked, and reported in order to qualify for Inflation Reduction Act Home Energy Rebates. As energy service program professionals, understanding the key requirements for taking advantage of the Home Efficiency Rebates (Section 50121) and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (Section 50122) funds is vital for successful implementation. 

Here are the top 10 things you need to know:

1. Eligibility Verification: Programs must verify home and household eligibility, comparing household income to AMI levels based on zip codes, confirming residency, and cross-referencing previous rebate applications.

2. Proposed Improvement Eligibility: Energy professionals must determine eligibility for proposed improvements, specifying the existing system to be replaced and the new product type to be installed (e.g., water heater, induction cooktop, insulation, etc.).

3. Modeled Energy Savings: For the modeled path, BPI 2400 compliant DOE-approved energy modeling software is mandatory to calculate energy savings. All data collected during the final home assessment, including only completed and installed upgrades, must be stored.

4. Signature Collection: Energy professionals need to collect and store necessary signatures from consumers to confirm consent and the accuracy of submitted information.

5. Geo-Located Photographs: Geo-located photographs of all installed measures must be generated and stored for documentation.

6. QC Inspection Records: Records of all quality control inspections, including combustion safety testing, HVAC equipment commissioning testing, corrective actions, and conformance verification, must be maintained.

7. Contractor Certifications: Maintain a list of certified program contractors, assessors, installers, and inspectors, along with their training, credentials, and qualifications.

8. Fund Braiding Compliance: For projects funded by multiple Federal grants, compliance with fund braiding restrictions is essential. Detailed invoices and identification of funding sources for each upgrade must be provided verifying distinct, separable upgrades with identification of which Federal sources funded each upgrade. 

9. Data Security Compliance: To ensure States are addressing data security and privacy, at a minimum, implementers must adhere to risk-based security controls, conduct and document privacy and security risk assessments, the rationale for categorizing the system, the method for determining the risk impacts, and risks associated with data sharing.

10. Utilization of DOE/PNNL API: To follow DOE/PNNL provided workflows for rebate processing, IT systems must use the DOE/PNNL application programming interface (API) to submit all required data for rebates.

By complying with these requirements, energy services program managers can confidently navigate the IRA home energy rebates program and ensure its successful implementation.