Save on your Energy Bill: Programs for Hawai‘i Households

Thinking about installing an energy improvement in your home? Consider taking advantage of these programs to maximize your energy savings: 

HECO BYOD Plus

The BYOD Plus program, which replaced Battery Bonus, provides benefits to customers looking to purchase a new battery for their rooftop PV system.  

How it works:

  • Purchase a new battery to store electricity generated by your rooftop solar system 
  • Select a two-hour window in your day, during which your battery will export excess energy back to the grid. The battery will primarily serve your household first and any remaining excess will be the target for BYOD Plus usage. 

Incentives: 

  • Upfront incentives: 
    • Receive $400 for every kW committed to export (min. of 1 kW commitment) 
    • Low- to moderate–income households: Get $800 for every kW committed back to the grid. To see if you qualify as LMI please see the State’s 2024-25 HUD Income Guidelines. Your total household income must be below 140% of the Area Median Income.  
  • Monthly export credit: 
    • Provided every month for the energy drawn from the battery calculated based on an assumed exported amount to the grid. Net Energy Metering (NEM) and NEM Plus customers will receive kWh bill credits for BYOD Plus participation, shown on the customer’s bill as an increase in kWh exports (“REC KWH”). Participants with an underlying tariff other than NEM (e.g., CGS, CGS Plus) will receive a fixed monthly export credit, calculated via a formula detailed in Rule 33, shown on the customer’s bill as a separate line item (“Monthly Export Credit”). 
  • Example: A customer that has a 15 kilowatt–hour (kWh) battery can commit 5 kW for 2 hours for a total of 10 kWh drained from the battery. The incentives they would receive are: 
    • A one–time cash incentive of $2,000 ($400 * 5 kW) 
    • The average rate for the monthly export bill credit would be about $52. This amount includes credits from the customer’s underlying agreement rate plus the BYOD Plus 2-hour window supplemental rate. Please note that this is an approximate calculation as the credit fluctuates with the customer’s billing rate and island where the customer is located. 

Agreement Terms: 

  • A customer must participate in their agreement for 5 years. If a customer ends their contract early, they will need to payback the upfront incentive at a prorated amount. 
  • The BYOD Plus program is approved for 5 years. 
  • Currently only Battery Energy Storage Systems that are paired with renewable energy generation are eligible for this program. 
  • Customers participating in the Battery Bonus (Scheduled Dispatch program) cannot transition into the BYOD Plus program. New batteries are required to participate in the BYOD Plus program.

Apply here using HECO’s Customer Interconnection Tool 

Learn more 

Hawaii Energy Smart 4 Homes

The Energy Smart 4 Homes (ES4H) program helps customers use electric energy more efficiently, save money, and conserve resources. ES4H also reduces water demand and associated sewer fees. Energy Smart 4 Homes (ES4H) is a free direct install program for eligible residential homes with the potential to cut annual energy bill by up to $340 annually (savings based on 4-bedroom home). Sign up today to receive free energy-saving products, a value of over $150. 

How it works: 

  • Eligibility: 
    • All residents renting a single-family or multifamily property unit with electric water heating are eligible for the full benefits (all energy-efficient measures). 
    • Properties with non-electric water heating are still eligible for partial benefits. Consult with a ES4H team member for further information. 
    • All residents living in one of the designated Zip Codes (see brochure) 
  • Find out if your home qualifies for this free program by filling out the form on the ES4H sign-up page. Click to sign up now. 
  • Energy-saving products may include: 
    • LED lightbulbs 
    • Advanced powerstrips 
    • High-efficiency showerheads 
    • High-efficiency faucet aerators 

Learn more 

Hawaii Energy Rebates

Hawaii Energy offers rebates to residential electric utility ratepayers in Hawai‘i County, Maui County, and the City and County of Honolulu to assist with the installation of energy-efficient equipment. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to availability of funds, restrictions, change and/or discontinuation without advance notice. 

Rebates may include:  

Learn More 

Federal Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

WAP helps low-income families and individuals reduce their energy bill by installing weatherization measures into their homes, and by providing education to the participants and community about energy efficiency. 

How it works: 

  • Eligibility:  
    • Low- to moderate-income residents (within 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline) are eligible to receive free weatherization/efficiency upgrades to their homes, which help to reduce energy costs 
  • How to Apply:  
    • If you are interested in enrolling in WAP, please contact the agency in your respective county.  OCS has contracted with four Community Action Agencies to administer weatherization services.  The agencies that are providing WAP services are: 
      • Hawai‘i County Economic Opportunity Council, Loke Kuamoo, [email protected], (808) 731-7009 
  • The following efficiency upgrades are pre-approved by the State of Hawai‘i:  
    • Low-Flow Showerheads & Faucet Aerators; 
    • CFL or LED Lighting; 
    • Advanced Power Strip; 
    • Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heater or Solar Water Heater; 
    • Small Room Air Conditioner; 
    • Very Large Room Air Conditioner 
    • Refrigerator Replacement. 

Learn more 

H-HEAP (Formerly LIHEAP)

Households in need of assistance are entitled to a one-time payment, once per program year, toward their electric or gas bill. 

How it works:  

  • Applicants may apply, once per program year, for one of two types of credit: Energy Credit (EC) or Emergency Crisis Intervention (ECI). 
    • Energy Credit (EC) 
      • Assists in need households who are not in crisis but need assistance with bill payment for the heating and cooling of their residence 
    • Emergency Crisis Intervention (ECI) 
      • Assists in need households in crisis, where electric or gas service has been or will be disconnected, and the household has been notified via a disconnection notice 
  • How to Apply:  
    • Your most recent electric bill. 
    • Proof you occupy the service address on the bill. 
    • Social Security numbers of all household members older than 1 year old. 
    • ID for all adult members. 
    • Proof of citizenship status. 
    • Proof of gross annual income to one of the following offices from June 2 to June 30. They will determine whether you qualify. 
      • Hawai‘i Island: Hawai‘i County Economic Opportunity Council (HCEOC) 
  • Residential customers on Rate Schedule R who receive H-HEAP credit will be auto-enrolled in HECO’s Tier Waiver Provision program for 12 months, which applies the lowest tiered rate to the non-fuel energy charge on a customer’s electric bill. 

Learn more 

Energy Bill Saving Programs – Flyer