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Peak Performance Home Incentive

Download the form. Then login to your utility account and click the "Requests" tab to submit the form and other required documents. You may also email them or return them by mail to: Customer Operations 435 N. Macomb St., Tallahassee, FL 32301

Who May Participate: Homebuilders and Remodelers/Homeowners whose new home or major remodel receives City electric service and achieves a qualifying HERS® index score.

Incentive Amounts: up to $2,000 plus individual electric appliance and EV-charging incentives as a bonus.

New Home and Renovation Rebates

Performance Incentives

  • Gold Level - HERS® Score ≤ 55: $1 per conditioned square foot (up to $2,000)
  • Silver Level - HERS® Score 56-65: $1 per conditioned square foot (up to $1,000)
  • Remodel - HERS® Score ≤ 80: $1 per conditioned square foot (up to $1,000)

Qualifying homes may receive additional incentives for ENERGY STAR electric appliances (up to $615) and electric vehicle charger installation ($100). See ‘How the Program Works’ below.

Note: This incentive may also be combined with applicable City natural gas rebates. Natural gas rebates are subject to separate eligibility requirements and must be applied for independently. Learn more about City natural gas incentives.

This incentive program applies to:

  • New single-family, detached homes served by City of Tallahassee Electric that achieve a qualifying HERS® Index score within 90 days of a Certificate of Occupancy (CO); and
  • Existing single-family, detached homes served by City of Tallahassee Electric that undergo a major remodel after issuance of an initial Certificate of Occupancy, engage the services of a HERS® Rater prior to project commencement, and achieve a qualifying HERS® Index score within 90 days of project completion.

Peak Performance Home Incentive

  • Gold Level - HERS® Score ≤ 55: $1 per conditioned square foot (up to $2,000)
  • Silver Level - HERS® Score 56-65: $1 per conditioned square foot (up to $1,000)
  • Remodel - HERS® Score ≤ 80: $1 per conditioned square foot (up to $1,000)

Optional Bonus Incentives

  • EV-Ready Installation* - $100 per home
  • ENERGY STAR® Electric Appliances
    • Freezer - $40
    • Refrigerator - $75
    • Clothes Washer - $100
    • Heat Pump Clothes Dryer - $200
    • Induction Cooktop or Range - $200

*EV-Ready Requirement: Installation must include, at a minimum, a powered EV-rated receptacle in a garage or driveway with a 50-amp double-pole breaker on a dedicated 208/240-volt circuit for a future electric vehicle (EV) charger.

Note: Installation of an ENERGY STAR® certified smart thermostat is required to qualify for this incentive program.

This incentive rewards the construction of energy-efficient new homes and major home remodels that achieve qualifying Home Energy Rating System (HERS®) Index scores. The HERS® Index is the nationally recognized standard for measuring a home's energy efficiency, where lower scores indicate greater efficiency. The HERS® Index achieved determines eligibility for the Peak Performance Home Incentive and the incentive level awarded.

Building an energy-efficient home can provide long-term benefits for both builders and homeowners. Energy-efficient homes typically offer lower utility costs, improved indoor comfort, better humidity control, and enhanced overall performance. For builders, a certified HERS® rating provides an independent, third-party verification of a home's energy efficiency that can help differentiate homes in the marketplace, demonstrate quality construction practices, and provide buyers with a clear and trusted measure of expected energy performance.

To participate in this program, builders and homeowners must engage a RESNET-certified HERS® Rater before construction or remodeling begins. Because many energy-efficiency measures are incorporated during design and construction, involving a HERS® Rater early in the project helps identify cost-effective efficiency opportunities and helps ensure the home can achieve a qualifying HERS® score.

In addition to the Peak Performance Home Incentive, applicants who install certain ENERGY STAR® electric appliances or make their home EV-ready may qualify for additional incentives. To qualify, all eligible appliances and EV-ready infrastructure must be installed and available for verification during the final HERS® inspection and certified by the RESNET-certified HERS® Rater. Measures installed after the final HERS® inspection may be eligible for other City incentives, but are not eligible under the Peak Performance Home Incentive.

To receive payment, applicants must:

  • For New Homes: Be a homebuilder serving a single family detached residence on City of Tallahassee Electric service and be registered as a City vendor prior to application submission.
  • For Major Remodels: Be a City of Tallahassee Electric customer with an account in good standing at the remodeled residence.
  • Achieve a qualifying HERS® Index score.
  • Install an ENERGY STAR® smart thermostat.
  • Submit a complete application package within 90 days of Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Completion.

Step 1 - Engage a RESNET-Certified HERS® Rater

  • Prior to the start of construction or remodeling, select a RESNET-certified HERS® Rater to evaluate the project and provide guidance on design features and construction practices that can help achieve a qualifying HERS® score. Find a HERS® Rater.

The HERS® Rater will typically:

  • Review building plans and specifications
  • Evaluate insulation, windows, HVAC systems, duct design, and other energy-efficiency features
  • Conduct required inspections during construction
  • Perform final testing, including blower door and duct leakage testing
  • Issue a certified HERS® Index score upon project completion

Step 2 - Complete Construction or Remodeling

  • Construct or remodel the home in accordance with the project design and recommendations provided by the HERS® Rater.

Step 3 - Obtain Final HERS® Certification

  • Upon completion of the project, the HERS® Rater will perform final inspections and testing and submit the certified HERS® rating to the appropriate statewide database.

Step 4 - Submit Application

Applications must include:

  • Completed Peak Performance Home Incentive Application
  • Certified HERS® Home Energy Rating Certificate showing the final HERS® Index score
  • Building Input Summary Report from a RESNET-approved modeling software
  • Any additional documentation requested by the City to verify eligibility

Note: The RESNET Certified HERS® Rater is responsible for verifying and certifying that all requirements for eligible ENERGY STAR® electric appliance and/or EV-Ready Installation incentives have been met, including compliance with all applicable equipment specifications. The HERS® Rater must maintain supporting documentation demonstrating compliance and provide such documentation to the City upon request for inspection, audit, or verification purposes.

  1. Incentive amounts are subject to change without notice and are subject to approval.
  2. For incentives to be paid, this program requires the installation of an ENERGY STAR® smart thermostat. Compliant thermostat manufacturers may be found through the ENERGY STAR® website.
  3. For New Homes, all approved incentive payments for eligible work and equipment installed prior to the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy will be issued via ACH directly to the homebuilder. Homebuilders must be registered as a City vendor prior to submitting an incentive application.
  4. A homebuilder may elect to assign an approved incentive payment to the homebuyer, in which case the incentive will be issued as a credit to the homebuyer's City utility account.
  5. For Major Remodels, all approved incentive payments for eligible work performed after the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy will be issued as a credit to the homeowner's or utility customer's City utility account.
  6. For incentives to be paid, this application must be completed entirely and submitted with required documentation (see rebate form for more details).
  7. A RESNET-certified HERS® Rater must conduct the inspection, testing, and individual rating verification for each unit and is responsible for certifying and documenting that all program requirements are met, including the ENERGY STAR® smart thermostat requirement, ENERGY STAR® appliance rebates including make and model, and EV-Ready Bonus eligibility criteria.
  8. Projects are eligible if the Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Completion are issued on or after July 1, 2026.
  9. Applications must be received within 90 days of the unit's Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Completion date.
  10. Eligible applicants can apply for the Peak Performance Home $1/s.f. incentive as well as ENERGY STAR® Electric Appliance Rebates and the EV-Ready Bonus on the Peak Performance Home Incentive form. Your project may also be eligible for the City's natural gas rebate(s), where applicable.
  11. The City reserves the right to inspect qualifying homes and verify documentation.
  12. By participating in this program, the homebuilder, remodeler, and/or homeowner agrees that the City obtains and/or retains ownership of all rights to existing and future renewable energy green tags, tradable renewable certificates and/or any and all other environmental benefits associated with constructing or remodeling the home to HERS® standards. This provision does not affect homeowner ownership of the property, utility savings, tax benefits, or equipment. It applies only to environmental attributes associated with this rebate program.

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