Douglas County Energy Hub

 
Douglas County Energy Hub

Empowering Homes, Businesses, and Nonprofits with Energy Savings

What's the purpose of the Energy Hub?

There are many opportunities to save money on energy costs, improve comfort and indoor air quality, and reduce environmental impact through weatherization, energy efficiency , and renewable energy. This webpage is designed to connect Douglas County residents, businesses, and nonprofits with local financial incentives and tools to help make energy upgrades more attainable.

Douglas County Adapt logo

The Residential and Commercial Built Environment: A Key to Climate Action

Buildings account for 54% of greenhouse gas emissions in Douglas County. That’s why one of the first strategies in Adapt Douglas County—our community’s climate action and adaptation plan—is to prioritize energy conservation and cost savings.

By cutting energy use and adding clean energy, our community can make real progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions—and save money while doing it.

Learn more about Adapt Douglas County and how your actions support community-wide climate solutions.

Weatherization improves your home or business by sealing air leaks, adding insulation, and upgrading windows and doors. This helps maintain comfortable temperatures year-round while reducing energy bills. The basics include weatherstripping around windows and doors, and adding new insulation to voids or areas where insulation has lost it's effectiveness. Federal, state, and local programs offer assistance; learn about them in the Incentive Programs section.

Energy efficiency upgrades help residents and businesses reduce energy use while maintaining or improving performance. These upgrades include energy-efficient appliances, smart thermostats, LED lighting, and HVAC improvements. Upgrading to LED lights can save 30% on utility bills. Determining how much electricity your appliances and home electronics use can help you understand how much money you spend using them. Learn how to estimate what it costs to operate your appliances with this tool.

Renewable energy sources, such as solar power, wind energy, and geothermal systems, help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower utility costs. Companies that install solar can be a great resource to get you started, and there are several companies in the county to choose from. Solar United Neighbors is a nonprofit dedicated to helping folks go solar. Check out their Solar Guide or help desk for personalized support. You can also find your solar roof's potential by simply entering your address into Project Sunroof.

Get Started Today!

Whether you’re looking for simple weatherization tips, funding for energy efficiency upgrades, or guidance on going solar, these resources will help you take the next step. Explore the links, learn about financial incentives that reduce upfront costs for upgrades, and start saving energy and money!

To find incentive programs for weatherization, energy efficiency, and renewable energy, try out the different drop-down filters to find programs applicable to you.

Announcement: Potential Expiration of Federal Energy Incentives

If you’re considering upgrades to your home or building, now may be the time to act. Federal incentives could be discontinued as early as the end of 2025.

We are actively monitoring proposed legislation and will update the Energy Hub as soon as more information is available.

Incentive Programs

To find specific incentive programs, use the dropdown filters. Note that only one filter can be used at a time.

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Renters & Landlords: Energy Savings May Be Closer Than You Think
Many energy-saving programs apply to rental properties too—not just homes you own and live in. Whether you're a renter or a landlord, check out the available incentives to see what might work for you. Not sure what applies? Fill out the contact form below and share a few details about what you’re looking for—we’ll do our best to point you in the right direction.

Kansas Energy Efficiency Programs

Customer: Residential

Type: Energy Efficiency, Weatherization

Eligibility: Kansas Evergy customers

Provider: Evergy

Discounts on energy audits, smart thermostats, heating and cooling upgrades, insulation and air sealing, income-eligible weatherization assistance and multi-family housing upgrades.

Go to Evergy Website

Weatherization Assistance Program

Customer: Residential

Type: Weatherization

Eligibility: Income-qualifying Douglas County residents

Provider: ECKAN

Free weatherization services such as air sealing and insulation, appliance upgrades, and air quality improvements.

Go to ECKAN website

Federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit

Customer: Residential

Type: Energy Efficiency

Eligibility: Homeowners

Provider: IRS

Significant tax-saving opportunities to incentivize energy-efficient home improvements through Internal Revenue Code section 25C. Federal income energy efficiency tax credits allow up to $3,200 annually to lower the cost of energy-efficient upgrades.

Go to IRS website

Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit

Customer: Residential

Type: Renewable Energy

Eligibility: Homeowners

Provider: IRS

Significant tax-saving opportunities to incentivize energy-efficient home improvements through Internal Revenue Code section 25D. Save 30% on Residential Clean Energy Equipment Upgrades (geothermal heat pumps, small wind turbines, solar energy systems, fuel cells, battery storage).

Go to IRS website

The Home Efficiency Rebate Program (HER)

Coming Soon

Customer: Residential

Type: Renewable Energy, Weatherization

Eligibility: Low-Moderate Income Homeowners

Provider: Kansas State Energy Office

The Home Efficiency Rebate Program (HER) will provide rebates for energy-efficiency home improvement that can include a combination of energy-saving measures such as appliance and HVAC system upgrades, adding insulation, air sealing, and associated electrical panel and/or wiring upgrades.

Go to KS Home Rebates

Energy Analyzer Tool

Customer: Small Business, Residential

Type: Energy Efficiency

Eligibility: Kansas Evergy commercial customers

Provider: Kansas State Energy Office

Personalized online dashboard for small businesses to see how and when energy is used. Smart tip: With this tool, customers can see the energy breakdown by appliance, a good way to find out which appliances need upgraded.

Go to Evergy website

The Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR)

Coming Soon

Customer: Residential

Type: Renewable Energy, Weatherization

Eligibility: Low-Moderate Income Homeowners

Provider: Kansas State Energy Office

The Home Electrification Appliance Rebates (HEAR) will provide rebates for single or stand-alone appliances (i.e. heat pumps), or energy upgrades (i.e. insulation, electric load service center, electric wiring, insulation, air sealing, and mechanical ventilation).

Go to KS Home Rebates

Clean Vehicle Tax Credits

Customer: Residential, Commercial, Small Business, Nonprofit

Type: Electric and Hybrid Vehicles

Eligibility: Taxpayers

Provider: IRS

Purchase of new or used electric vehicle and installation of an electric car charger.

Go to IRS website

Evergy Business Savings

Customer: Commercial

Type: Energy Efficiency

Eligibility: Kansas Evergy commercial customers

Provider: Evergy

Incentives can help reduce installation costs for energy-efficient equipment upgrades such as lighting, HVAC, water heating, kitchen equipment, commercial refrigeration, and more. Small businesses and non-profit organizations may be eligible for improved incentive rates.

Go to Evergy website

Small Business and Non-Profit Enhanced Incentives

Customer: Small Business, Nonprofit

Type: Energy Efficiency

Eligibility: Kansas Evergy commercial customers

Provider: Evergy

30-50% extra savings on upgrades to lighting, HVAC, water heating, kitchen equipment, commercial refrigeration, and more.

Go to Evergy website

Kansas Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund (EERLF)

Customer: Commercial, Nonprofit

Type: Energy Efficiency, Weatherization

Eligibility: An entity that owns or operates one of the following facility types : agricultural, occupied by a nonprofit organization or small business (500 employees or less), school (K-12, college or university), occupied by state or local government

Provider: Evergy

Provides loans and grants for energy efficiency audits, upgrades, and retrofits to increase energy efficiency and improve the comfort and air quality of buildings. Does not require matching funds. Energy Audit Subsidy: Energy audits are free for nonprofits and provided at a discount for all other eligible entities.

Go to Application

REAP (Rural Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Programs)

Customer: Commercial

Type: Energy Efficiency, Weatherization

Eligibility: Agricultural producers and rural small businesses (private for-profit, cooperative, electric utility, Tribal corporation or other Tribal business)

Provider: USDA

Provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems (i.e. geothermal, hydropower, hydrogen, wind, solar) or to improve energy efficiency (i.e. HVAC, insulation, doors, windows, lighting, refrigeration, solar/gravity pumps for sprinkler pivots, electric irrigation motors).

Go to USDA website

Kansas Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund (EERLF)

Customer: Commercial

Type: Energy Efficiency, Weatherization

Eligibility: An entity that owns or operates one of the following facility types : agricultural, occupied by a nonprofit organization or small business (500 employees or less), school (K-12, college or university), occupied by state or local government

Provider: Evergy

Provides loans and grants for energy efficiency audits, upgrades, and retrofits to increase energy efficiency and improve the comfort and air quality of buildings. Does not require matching funds. Energy Audit Subsidy: Energy audits are free for nonprofits and provided at a discount for all other eligible entities.

Go to Application

Investment Tax Credit and Production Tax Credit

Customer: Commercial, Nonprofit

Type: Renewable Energy

Eligibility: Businesses

Provider: IRS

Manufacturers and other entities that invest in qualifying advanced energy projects may apply for a tax credit through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

Go to IRS Site

Elective Pay / Direct Pay

Customer: Commercial

Type: Renewable Energy

Eligibility: Non-tax paying entities

Provider: IRS

Allows non-tax paying entities to receive payment equal to the full value of the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and its bonus credits, starting at 30%. Nonprofits, states, local governments, and Tribal Nations are all able to more fully participate in the benefits of clean energy through Direct Pay.  For an in-depth look into the application process, view Clean Energy Group’s Direct Pay Guide for Nonprofits.

Go to IRS Site

Energy-Efficient Commercial Buildings Deduction

Customer: Commercial

Type: Energy Efficiency

Eligibility: Owners of qualified commercial buildings, designers of energy efficient commercial building and retrofit property installed in buildings owned by specified tax-exempt entities

Provider: IRS

Building owners who place in service energy efficient commercial building property (EECBP) or energy efficient commercial building retrofit property (EEBRP) may be able to claim a tax deduction. An increased deduction may be available for increased energy savings or meeting prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements. Applies to public buildings as a pass through to their design team.

Go to IRS Site

Solar and Battery Technical Assistance Fund

Customer: Nonprofit

Type: Renewable Energy

Eligibility: Community-serving entities. Examples include community centers , emergency shelters, cooling centers, affordable housing, food pantries, fire departments, and health clinics.

Provider: Clean Energy Group

Provides dedicated one-on-one support and funding to help critical community service providers explore solar+storage feasibility as a resilient power solution during a power outage.

Go to Clean Energy Group

Energy Efficient Home Tax Credit

Customer: Commercial

Type: Energy Efficiency

Eligibility: Eligible contractors

Provider: Go to IRS Site

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) amended Internal Revenue Code Section 45L to provide eligible contractors with a business tax credit for eligible new or substantially reconstructed homes that meet applicable ENERGY STAR home program or DOE Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program requirements.

Go to IRS Site
Douglas County Public Works building with solar panels
Douglas County Public Works building with solar panels

Resources

Incentives can be used together to maximize home improvement project savings

Many projects are eligible for multiple incentives. To maximize cost savings use, or “stack,” as many government incentives as they qualify for in their upgrade projects. Tax credits for energy efficiency and clean energy upgrades can often be stacked with other financial incentives, including state and local programs.

When government incentives are stacked, different program requirements must be considered and can impact the value of each credit. The federal government has published the following guidance on stacking tax credits and rebates. Check income eligibility and performance requirements as they can impact what can stack together.

8.6 kW Commercial Solar Installation in Emporia, Kansas

Installed in 2023, this solar panel system provides energy and financial savings. The business was assisted by The Rural Energy for America Program which gives rural businesses funding for such projects. They also benefitted from a 30% federal tax credit from the Inflation Reduction Act.

Read More

The following resources provide permitting and net metering in Douglas County

Baldwin City Residential Solar

Eudora Residential Solar

Evergy Residential Solar

Evergy Commercial Solar 

Free tool to analyze your roof’s solar feasibility using Google Earth imagery. Just plug in your address! 

Project Sunroof

The Douglas County Sustainability Office is happy to help with general questions about energy savings. For details and questions about the incentive programs, refer directly to the program provider.

Contact Us