I 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 4872 
To require the Secretary of Energy to provide rebates for the installation 
of zero-emission technologies in single-family homes and multifamily 
buildings, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 30, 2021 
Ms. CASTOR of Florida (for herself, Mr. TONKO, Ms. BARRAGA´N, Mr. 
MCEACHIN, Mr. LEVIN of California, Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER, Ms. 
BROWNLEY, Ms. BONAMICI, Ms. DEGETTE, and Mr. HUFFMAN) intro-
duced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy 
and Commerce 
A BILL 
To require the Secretary of Energy to provide rebates for 
the installation of zero-emission technologies in single- 
family homes and multifamily buildings, and for other 
purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Zero-Emission Homes 
Act of 2021’’. 
SEC. 2. ZERO-EMISSION HOME PROGRAM. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
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(1) CERTIFIED CONTRACTOR.—The term ‘‘cer-
tified contractor’’ means a contractor with an indus-
try-recognized certification reflecting training, edu-
cation, or other technical expertise relating to quali-
fied electrification projects for residential buildings, 
as identified by the Secretary. 
(2) CONTRACTOR COMPANY.—The term ‘‘con-
tractor company’’ means a company— 
(A) the business of which is to provide 
services— 
(i) to residential building owners; and 
(ii) for which a rebate may be pro-
vided pursuant to the Program; and 
(B) that holds the licenses and insurance 
required by the State in which the company 
provides services. 
(3) ELECTRIC LOAD OR SERVICE CENTER UP-
GRADE.—The term ‘‘electric load or service center 
upgrade’’ means an improvement to a circuit break-
er panel that enables the installation and use of— 
(A) a QEP described in any of subclauses 
(II) through (IV) of paragraph (10)(A)(i); or 
(B) if determined to be appropriate by the 
Secretary, a QEP described in any of sub-
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clauses 
(I) 
through 
(III) 
of 
paragraph 
(10)(A)(ii). 
(4) HEAT
PUMP.—The term ‘‘heat pump’’ 
means a heat pump used for water heating, space 
heating, or space cooling that— 
(A) relies solely on electricity for its source 
of power; and 
(B) is air-sourced, geothermal- or ground- 
sourced, or water-sourced. 
(5) HOME.—The term ‘‘home’’ means each of— 
(A) a building with not more than 1 dwell-
ing unit, an individual condominium unit, or a 
manufactured housing unit, that— 
(i) is located in a State; and 
(ii)(I) is the primary residence of— 
(aa) the owner of that building, 
condominium unit, or manufactured 
housing unit, as applicable; or 
(bb) a renter; or 
(II) is a new-construction single-fam-
ily residential home; and 
(B) a unit of a multifamily building that— 
(i) is owned by an individual who is 
not the owner of the multifamily building; 
(ii) is located in a State; and 
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(iii) is the primary residence of— 
(I) the owner of that unit; or 
(II) a renter. 
(6) HVAC.—The term ‘‘HVAC’’ means heat-
ing, ventilation, and air conditioning. 
(7) LOW- OR
MODERATE-INCOME.—The term 
‘‘low- or moderate-income’’, with respect to a house-
hold, means a household— 
(A) with an annual income that is less 
than 80 percent of the annual median income 
of the area in which the household is located; 
or 
(B) that is low-income (as defined in sec-
tion 412 of the Energy Conservation and Pro-
duction Act (42 U.S.C. 6862)). 
(8) MULTIFAMILY BUILDING.—The term ‘‘mul-
tifamily building’’ means any building— 
(A) with 2 or more dwelling units that— 
(i) are built on top of one another or 
side-by-side; and 
(ii) may share common facilities; and 
(B) that is not a home. 
(9) PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘Program’’ means 
the Zero-Emission Home Program established under 
subsection (b). 
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(10) QUALIFIED
ELECTRIFICATION
PROJECT; 
QEP.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The terms ‘‘qualified 
electrification project’’ and ‘‘QEP’’ mean a 
project that, as applicable— 
(i) installs, or enables the installation 
and use of, in a home or multifamily build-
ing— 
(I) an electric load or service cen-
ter upgrade; 
(II) an electric heat pump; 
(III) an induction or noninduc-
tion electric stove, cooktop, range, or 
oven that has received an Energy Star 
Emerging 
Technology 
Award 
(or 
meets a more stringent standard, as 
determined by the Secretary, if the 
Secretary determines a more stringent 
standard to be appropriate); or 
(IV) 
an 
electric 
heat 
pump 
clothes dryer that is Energy Star 
Most Efficient certified (or meets a 
more stringent standard, as deter-
mined by the Secretary, if the Sec-
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retary determines a more stringent 
standard to be appropriate); or 
(ii) if determined to be appropriate by 
the Secretary, installs, or enables the in-
stallation and use of, in a home or multi-
family building described in subparagraph 
(B)— 
(I) a solar photovoltaic system, 
including any electrical equipment, 
wiring, or other components necessary 
for the installation and use of the 
solar photovoltaic system, including a 
battery storage system; 
(II) electric vehicle charging in-
frastructure or electric vehicle support 
equipment necessary to recharge an 
electric vehicle on-site; or 
(III) electrical rewiring, power 
sharing plugs, or other installation 
tasks directly related to and necessary 
for the safe and effective functioning 
of a QEP in a home or multifamily 
building. 
(B) HOME OR MULTIFAMILY BUILDING DE-
SCRIBED.—A home or multifamily building re-
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ferred to in subparagraph (A)(ii) is a home or 
multifamily building that is certified, or the 
household of the homeowner of which is cer-
tified, as applicable, as low- or moderate-income 
pursuant to the procedures established under 
subsection (d)(1). 
(C) EXCLUSIONS.—The terms ‘‘qualified 
electrification project’’ and ‘‘QEP’’ do not in-
clude any project with respect to which the ap-
pliance, system, equipment, infrastructure, com-
ponent, or other item described in clause (i) or 
(ii) of subparagraph (A) is not certified under 
the Energy Star program established by section 
324A of the Energy Policy and Conservation 
Act (42 U.S.C. 6294a) if, as of the date on 
which the project is carried out, the item is of 
a category for which a certification is provided 
under that program. 
(11) QUALIFIED PROVIDER.—The term ‘‘quali-
fied provider’’ means an electric utility, Tribal-owned 
entity or Tribally Designated Housing Entity 
(TDHE), or commercial, nonprofit, or government 
entity, including a retailer and a contractor com-
pany, that provides services for which a rebate may 
be provided pursuant to the Program for 1 or more 
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portfolios that consist of 1 or more qualified elec-
trification projects. 
(12) 
SECRETARY.—The 
term 
‘‘Secretary’’ 
means the Secretary of Energy. 
(13) 
SOLAR
PHOTOVOLTAIC
SYSTEM.—The 
term ‘‘solar photovoltaic system’’ means a system— 
(A) placed on-site at a home or multifamily 
building, or as part of the community of the 
home or multifamily building; and 
(B) that generates electricity from the sun 
specifically for the home, multifamily building, 
or community. 
(14) TRIBAL COMMUNITY.—The term ‘‘Tribal 
community’’ means a Tribal tract or Tribal block 
group. 
(15) UNDERSERVED
COMMUNITY.—The term 
‘‘underserved community’’ means a community lo-
cated in a census tract that is identified by the Sec-
retary as— 
(A) a low- or moderate-income community; 
or 
(B) a community of racial or ethnic minor-
ity concentration. 
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(16) 
ZERO-EMISSION
HOME
REBATE.—The 
term ‘‘zero-emission home rebate’’ means a rebate 
provided in accordance with subsection (c). 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM.—The Secretary 
shall establish a program, to be known as the ‘‘Zero-Emis-
sion Home Program’’, to provide zero-emission home re-
bates in accordance with subsection (c). 
(c) ZERO-EMISSION HOME REBATES FOR QUALIFIED 
ELECTRIFICATION PROJECTS.— 
(1) ZERO-EMISSION HOME REBATES.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subpara-
graph (B), in carrying out the Program, the 
Secretary shall provide to homeowners and own-
ers of multifamily buildings zero-emission home 
rebates, in accordance with this subsection, for 
qualified electrification projects carried out at, 
or relating to, the homes or multifamily build-
ings, as applicable. 
(B) REQUIREMENT.—The provision of a 
zero-emission home rebate under this paragraph 
shall be subject to the availability of appropria-
tions for that purpose. 
(2) AMOUNT OF REBATE.— 
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(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsection 
(d)(2)(A)(i), a zero-emission home rebate under 
paragraph (1) shall be equal to— 
(i) in the case of a qualified elec-
trification project described in subsection 
(a)(10)(A)(i)(II) that installs a heat pump 
used for water heating, not more than 
$1,250; 
(ii) in the case of a qualified elec-
trification project described in subsection 
(a)(10)(A)(i)(II) that installs a heat pump 
HVAC system— 
(I) not more than $3,000 if the 
heat pump HVAC system has a heat-
ing capacity of not less than 27,500 
Btu per hour; and 
(II) not more than $1,500 if the 
heat pump HVAC system has a heat-
ing capacity of less than 27,500 Btu 
per hour; 
(iii) in the case of a qualified elec-
trification project described in subclause 
(III) or (IV) of subsection (a)(10)(A)(i), 
not more than $600; 
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(iv) in the case of a qualified elec-
trification project described in subsection 
(a)(10)(A)(i)(I) that installs an electric 
load or service center panel that enables 
the installation and use of any upgrade, 
appliance, system, equipment, infrastruc-
ture, component, or other item installed 
pursuant to any other qualified electrifica-
tion project, not more than $3,000; and 
(v) in the case of any other qualified 
electrification project, including a qualified 
electrification project described in any of 
subclauses (I) through (III) of subsection 
(a)(10)(A)(ii), for which the Secretary pro-
vides a zero-emission home rebate, not 
more than an amount determined by the 
Secretary for that qualified electrification 
project, subject to subparagraph (B). 
(B) LIMITATIONS
ON
AMOUNT
OF
RE-
BATE.— 
(i) MAXIMUM TOTAL AMOUNT.—Sub-
ject to subsection (d)(2)(A)(ii), the max-
imum total amount that may be awarded 
as zero-emission home rebates under this 
subsection shall be $10,000 with respect to 
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each home for which a zero-emission home 
rebate is provided. 
(ii) COSTS.— 
(I) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to 
subsection (d)(2)(A)(iii), the amount 
of a zero-emission home rebate pro-
vided to a homeowner under this sub-
section shall not exceed 50 percent of 
the total cost of the applicable quali-
fied electrification project. 
(II) LABOR
COSTS.—Subject to 
subsection (d)(2)(A)(iii), not more 
than 50 percent of the labor costs as-
sociated with a qualified electrification 
project may be included in the 50 per-
cent of total costs for which a zero- 
emission home rebate is provided 
under this subsection, as described in 
subclause (I), subject to the condition 
that labor costs account for not more 
than 50 percent of the amount of the 
zero-emission home rebate. 
(3) LIMITATIONS ON QEPS.— 
(A) CONTRACTORS.—A zero-emission home 
rebate may be provided for a qualified elec-
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trification project carried out by a contractor 
only if that contractor is a certified contractor. 
(B) HEAT PUMP HVAC SYSTEMS.—A zero- 
emission home rebate may be provided for a 
qualified electrification project that installs or 
enables the installation of a heat pump HVAC 
system only if the heat pump HVAC system— 
(i) replaces— 
(I) a nonelectric HVAC system; 
or 
(II) an electric resistance HVAC 
system; or 
(ii) is part of new construction, as de-
termined by the Secretary. 
(C) HEAT PUMPS FOR WATER HEATING.— 
A zero-emission home rebate may be provided 
for a qualified electrification project that in-
stalls or enables the installation of a heat pump 
used for water heating only if the heat pump— 
(i) replaces— 
(I) a nonelectric heat pump water 
heater; 
(II) a nonelectric water heater; or 
(III) an electric resistance water 
heater; or 
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contractor or qualified provider carrying 
out the qualified electrification project. 
(ii) 
QUALIFIED
ELECTRIFICATION 
PROJECT
DESCRIBED.—A qualified elec-
trification project referred to in clause (i) 
is a qualified electrification project— 
(I) that is carried out at a home 
or multifamily building that— 
(aa) is located in an under-
served community or a Tribal 
community; or 
(bb) is certified, or the 
household of the homeowner of 
which is certified, as applicable, 
as low- or moderate-income pur-
suant to the procedures estab-
lished under subsection (d)(1); 
(II) for which a rebate is pro-
vided under this subsection; and 
(III) with respect to which the 
certified contractor or qualified pro-
vider is not eligible for a higher pay-
ment under subparagraph (C) or (D). 
(C) INCENTIVE FOR CERTAIN LABOR PRAC-
TICES.— 
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(i) IN
GENERAL.—With respect to 
each qualified electrification project de-
scribed in clause (ii), the Secretary shall 
provide a payment of $250 to the certified 
contractor or qualified provider carrying 
out the qualified electrification project. 
(ii) 
QUALIFIED
ELECTRIFICATION 
PROJECT
DESCRIBED.—A qualified elec-
trification project referred to in clause (i) 
is a qualified electrification project— 
(I) that is carried out— 
(aa) at a home or multi-
family building; and 
(bb) by a certified contractor 
or qualified provider that allows 
for the use of collective bar-
gaining agreements; 
(II) for which a rebate is pro-
vided under this subsection; and 
(III) with respect to which— 
(aa) all laborers and me-
chanics employed on the qualified 
electrification project are paid 
wages at rates not less than 
those prevailing on projects of a 
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character similar in the locality, 
as determined by the Secretary of 
Labor in accordance with sub-
chapter IV of chapter 31 of part 
A of subtitle II of title 40, 
United States Code (commonly 
referred to as the ‘‘Davis-Bacon 
Act’’); and 
(bb) the certified contractor 
or qualified provider is not eligi-
ble for a higher payment under 
subparagraph (D). 
(D) MAXIMUM INCENTIVE.— 
(i) IN
GENERAL.—With respect to 
each qualified electrification project de-
scribed in clause (ii), the Secretary shall 
provide a payment of $500 to the certified 
contractor or qualified provider carrying 
out the qualified electrification project. 
(ii) 
QUALIFIED
ELECTRIFICATION 
PROJECT
DESCRIBED.—A qualified elec-
trification project referred to in clause (i) 
is a qualified electrification project— 
(I) that is carried out— 
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(aa) at a home or multi-
family building that— 
(AA) is located in an 
underserved community or a 
Tribal community; or 
(BB) is certified, or the 
household of the homeowner 
of which is certified, as ap-
plicable, as low- or mod-
erate-income pursuant to the 
procedures established under 
subsection (d)(1); and 
(bb) by a certified contractor 
or qualified provider that allows 
for the use of collective bar-
gaining agreements; 
(II) for which a rebate is pro-
vided under this subsection; and 
(III) with respect to which all la-
borers and mechanics employed on the 
qualified electrification project are 
paid wages at rates not less than 
those prevailing on projects of a char-
acter similar in the locality, as deter-
mined by the Secretary of Labor in 
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accordance with subchapter IV of 
chapter 31 of part A of subtitle II of 
title 40, United States Code (com-
monly referred to as the ‘‘Davis- 
Bacon Act’’). 
(E) CLARIFICATION.—An amount provided 
to a contractor or qualified provider under any 
of subparagraphs (A) through (D) shall be in 
addition to the amount of any zero-emission 
home rebate received by the contractor or quali-
fied provider. 
(5) CLAIM.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph 
(2)(B), a homeowner, a certified contractor, or 
a qualified provider may claim a separate zero- 
emission home rebate under this subsection for 
each qualified electrification project carried out 
at a home. 
(B) TRANSFER.—The Secretary shall es-
tablish and publish procedures pursuant to 
which a homeowner or owner of a multifamily 
building may transfer the right to claim a re-
bate under this subsection to the certified con-
tractor or qualified provider carrying out the 
applicable qualified electrification project. 
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(6) MULTIFAMILY BUILDINGS.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subpara-
graph (B), the owner of a multifamily building 
may combine the amounts of zero-emission 
home rebates for each dwelling unit in the mul-
tifamily building into a single rebate, subject 
to— 
(i) the condition that the applicable 
qualified electrification projects benefit 
each dwelling unit with respect to which 
the rebate is claimed; and 
(ii) any maximum per-dwelling unit 
rate established by the Secretary. 
(B) COSTS.— 
(i) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to clause 
(ii), the amount of a rebate under subpara-
graph (A) shall not exceed 50 percent of 
the total cost, including labor costs, of the 
applicable qualified electrification projects. 
(ii) 
LOW- 
OR
MODERATE-INCOME 
BUILDINGS.—In the case of a multifamily 
building that is certified by the Secretary 
as low- or moderate-income in accordance 
with subsection (d)(1)(B), the amount of a 
rebate under subparagraph (A) shall not 
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