RMI Report | 2024

Making Decarbonization Financing Work for Homeowners and Contractors

Join us on October 29 from 3-4pm ET for a special presentation on this report’s findings and to gain real-world perspectives from experts in home energy upgrade financing, contracting, and program design. Register here.

Decarbonizing single-family homes is crucial to meeting US climate goals, as these homes account for 58 percent of the country’s building greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, high up-front costs for electrification, such as heat pump installations, present a significant barrier. In Making Decarbonization Financing Work for Homeowners and Contractors, RMI identifies five key elements that can reshape financing programs to make decarbonization more accessible and appealing to households across America. These include eliminating up-front costs, offering same-day approvals, and ensuring upgrades prioritize efficient electric alternatives over fossil fuel equipment such as gas furnaces and water heaters.

Why is this needed now? Many financing programs today are either too complex or don’t align with US and state decarbonization goals, leaving homeowners to opt for cheaper and more polluting fossil fuel-based replacements. Our report dives into how policymakers and advocates can craft financing solutions that work for both homeowners and contractors, making decarbonization the easy choice. Download the full report to learn more about implementing these five key elements and scaling home energy upgrades.