HERO Code Builder Rebate Program

Earn cash back from Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas, and Dominion Energy for building energy efficient homes.

0 +
Homes Enrolled To Date
$ 0 MILLION +
in HERO Rebates Processed
0 +
In-House Field Raters

Earn Incentives for Energy Efficiency

HERO Code — or High-Efficiency Residential Option — is a voluntary section of the 2018 North Carolina Conservation Energy Code.

Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas & Dominion Energy offer generous cash incentives to builders and developers who build energy-efficient single or multifamily residences that meet HERO Code targets. 

With rebates of up to $9,000 *per home*, it’s a win-win situation. Your homeowners get a quality assured and energy-efficient product and you get cash back!

Who Can Participate?

HERO Rebate Pathways

There are two options to choose from:

  • Whole-Home Incentive Program
  • Equipment Incentives Pathway

Unfortunately, these incentives don’t stack and you can only choose one pathway. To really maximize your incentives, we advise you choose the HERO+HERS Score Whole-Home Incentive option. Learn more below!

Whole Home Incentives

Within the Whole-Home Incentive option, there are two pathways for compliance: HERO Only or HERO + HERS Score.

Duke Energy Progress

HERO Only HERO + HERS Score
Annual energy use is less than HERO reference home Annual energy use is less than HERO reference home
Blower door target: 4.00 ACH50 Blower door target: ≤ 4.00 ACH50 or 0.24 CFM50/SFSA
90% or greater efficient lighting 90% or greater efficient lighting
$750 per home Up to $9,000 per home

Duke Energy Carolinas

HERO Only HERO + HERS Score
Annual energy use is less than HERO reference home Annual energy use is less than HERO reference home
Blower door target: 4.00 ACH50 Blower door target: ≤ 4.00 ACH50 or 0.24 CFM50/SFSA
90% or greater efficient lighting 90% or greater efficient lighting
$650 per home Up to $6,000 per home

Duke Energy Carolinas - Climate Zone 3

Above Code Entry (ACE) ACE + HERS
Meet all RNC requirements with the exception of slab edge insulation in Climate Zone 3 Meet all RNC + HERS requirements with the exception of slab edge insulation in Climate Zone 3
Blower door target: 4.00 ACH50 Blower door target: ≤ 4.00 ACH50 or 0.24 CFM50/SFSA
90% or greater efficient lighting 90% or greater efficient lighting
$500 per home Up to $6,000 per home

Piedmont Natural Gas

Whole House HERO
NCECC HERO Compliance
Natural Gas Furnace of 90% or higher AFUE
$500 per home

Dominion Energy

Whole Home Path
NCECC HERO Compliance
Natural Gas Furnace of 90% or higher AFUE
$500 per home

How Much Do You Qualify For?

Southern Energy Management conducts free building plan analysis to see how much money you qualify for now, and how much you could qualify for moving forward.

How To Participate

Step 1

Get started: Send us building plans for review and value engineering to maximize incentives.

Step 2

Schedule inspections: a pre-drywall insulation inspection and a final inspection for duct and blower door testing.

Step 3

Collect your rebates! We submit applications, so all you have to do is kick back, relax, and wait on a check from Duke Energy.

Turn-Key HERO Program Services

No matter which option you choose to go with under Whole-Home Incentives, the homes you are building will require a HERS Rating to meet HERO Code.

Southern Energy Management is a RESNET Certified HERS Rater with a team of highly trained raters and quality assurance designees. We provide HERS rating services and an energy summary report with the annual kWh savings for each home. 

Since all homes require a HERS Rating, by default your home will be analyzed for the Whole Home HERO+HERS Score pathway to maximize your rebate potential. If the 4ACH50 blower door target is not met but the home still qualifies for Whole Home HERO Only targets, we will enroll the home for the $500-$750 HERO Only Rebate.

Maximize Your Value!

Be the HERO your customers deserve with Duke Energy’s Residential New Construction Program. We’re here to help you get started! From value engineering to optional air sealing packages, our turnkey services are designed to maximize your incentives.

Schedule a Free Assessment

Book a call with our building performance team to get started!

Mattamy Homes continues to find immense value in the Residential New Construction program. We love the program and think that it’s been a great fit for us.

Rich Sherman,
Vice President of Construction Operations, Mattamy Homes

Garman Homes has been a big advocate of the HERO program for several years while completing almost 200 homes per year with over 90% of our homes reaching the HERO level. We have been able to capture these rebates while also providing homeowners with what the market demands. By using the gas equipment in our homes and also building the home with energy efficiency in mind, we are able to provide an efficient home which gives the customer what they want and deserve.

Brandon DeLong,
Purchasing Manager, Garman Homes

Ready to Get Started?

Schedule a meeting with us today to review your home performance goals and challenges.