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RI Energy covers 75% of insulation costs for all residential customers and 100% for income-eligible households. After a FREE energy assessment, insulation is installed by approved contractors with the rebate applied as an instant discount -- you only pay 25% (or $0 if income-eligible).
Updated February 2026
RI Energy's insulation rebate is one of the most generous in New England. At 75% off for all customers and 100% off for income-eligible households, it dramatically reduces the cost of insulating your home. The rebate is applied as an instant discount at installation -- not as a reimbursement you have to wait for.
The process starts with a FREE energy assessment (which is required). The assessment uses blower door testing and thermal imaging to identify exactly where your home is losing energy. The resulting report specifies which insulation measures your home needs and the exact rebate amounts you qualify for. Work must be completed by an RI Energy approved contractor within 1 year of the assessment.
Must complete RI Energy Home Energy Assessment first. Available to all RI Energy residential customers.
Most homeowners pay just 25% of insulation cost after RI Energy rebate
Household income at or below 60% Area Median Income (AMI), or LIHEAP enrollment, or utility discount rate.
Fully covered — $0 out of pocket for qualifying households
Detailed breakdown of each insulation measure, typical cost before rebate, and what you actually pay after the 75% or 100% discount.
R-Value: R-49 to R-60
Blown-in fiberglass or cellulose. Many RI homes built before 1960 have R-11 or less — bringing to R-49+ dramatically reduces heat loss through the roof.
R-Value: R-13 to R-15
Dense-pack cellulose through small drill holes. Many older RI homes (especially pre-1940 triple-deckers) have zero wall insulation.
R-Value: R-15 to R-25
Rim joist spray foam plus wall or ceiling insulation. Eliminates cold floors above unheated basements — common complaint in older RI homes.
R-Value: N/A (CFM50 reduction)
Seal air leaks identified during blower door test — attic bypasses, recessed lights, plumbing stacks, electrical penetrations. Coastal RI homes are especially leaky.
R-Value: R-8 duct insulation
Seal leaky duct joints with mastic. Insulate exposed ducts in unconditioned spaces. Many RI homes use hydronic (boiler) systems, so this applies mainly to forced-air systems.
Reduces drafts, cold spots, and ice dams. Evens out temperatures between floors. Quieter home — especially important for coastal wind exposure.
Rhode Island is in Climate Zone 5A (entire state — moderate maritime climate) with approximately 5,500 heating degree days per year. RI has ~5,500 heating degree days — insulation is critical. Maritime climate means high humidity and salt air, especially in coastal communities.
Must complete RI Energy Home Energy Assessment first (FREE)
Work must be performed by RI Energy approved insulation contractor
Income-eligible: provide proof of income, LIHEAP enrollment, or utility discount rate enrollment
Assessment report identifies specific measures and rebate amounts
Rebate is typically applied as instant discount at installation (not reimbursement)
Contractor handles all RI Energy rebate paperwork
Complete work within 1 year of energy assessment
RI Energy insulation rebates are NOT tax credits -- they are direct ratepayer-funded rebates. The 75% discount is unaffected by the federal expiration. HEAR is partially active in RI (low-income pathway launched Sept 17, 2024) and may provide additional funding for income-qualified households.
RI Energy covers 75% of insulation costs for standard households and 100% for income-eligible households. This means standard customers pay just 25% out of pocket, and income-eligible customers pay $0. The rebate is applied as an instant discount at installation -- not as a reimbursement after the fact.
Yes. The RI Energy Home Energy Assessment is REQUIRED before you can receive insulation rebates. The assessment is completely FREE ($0 copay) and identifies exactly what insulation measures your home needs with specific rebate amounts. Your assessment report is valid for 1 year. The assessment also includes $200-$500 in free installations during the visit.
RI Energy covers attic insulation (blown-in fiberglass or cellulose to R-49+), wall insulation (dense-pack cellulose), basement and crawlspace insulation (rim joist spray foam plus wall/ceiling insulation), air sealing (based on blower door test results), and duct sealing and insulation. The assessment determines which measures your home needs.
For a typical whole-home insulation project costing $5,200-$15,700 before rebate, standard households pay approximately $1,300-$3,925 (25% of cost). Income-eligible households pay $0. Individual measures range from $300-$1,375 for attic insulation to $450-$1,375 for wall insulation (after 75% rebate).
Insulation work must be performed by an RI Energy approved insulation contractor. RI Energy provides a list of approved contractors after your assessment. We recommend getting 2-3 quotes. The contractor handles all RI Energy rebate paperwork, so you pay only your portion (25% or $0) at the time of installation.
With the 75% rebate, typical payback is 1-3 years based on annual energy savings of $350-$1,100. At RI electric rates of $0.29/kWh and heating fuel costs, insulation is one of the highest-ROI improvements you can make. Income-eligible customers see immediate savings since their cost is $0.
Yes. In fact, RI Energy and Clean Heat RI are designed to work together. Many homeowners insulate first (75% off through RI Energy), then install heat pumps (60% covered through Clean Heat RI). Insulating before installing heat pumps means you can size the heat pump system smaller, saving additional money on equipment.
No. The Section 25C energy efficiency tax credit expired December 31, 2025. It provides $0 for insulation in 2026. The RI Energy insulation rebate is a direct rebate funded by ratepayers -- it is unaffected by the federal expiration and continues as normal in 2026.
NuWatt Energy provides this guide as an educational resource. All rebate amounts and program details are sourced from rienergy.com and RI PUC filings. To schedule your free energy assessment (required for insulation rebates), call RI Energy at 800-322-3223.
Complete overview of all RI Energy efficiency programs.
Required first step -- FREE assessment with $200-$500 in free installs.
$600 rebate stackable with $2,500 Clean Heat RI.
60-100% of heat pump cost covered after insulation.
Full cost breakdown after all available rebates.
100% off insulation plus enhanced heat pump coverage.
Start with a FREE energy assessment, then get 75% off insulation through RI Energy. Income-eligible? Your insulation is 100% covered -- $0 out of pocket.