How We Make No-Cost Upgrades Happen
Simple steps from pre-registration to installation — we handle the paperwork, you enjoy the results.
North Carolina's Energy Saver NC program is live and accepting applications now. The full 6-step process is underway for NC residents today. Check your eligibility, prepare your documents, and our team will guide you through the application, energy audit, and installation — all at no cost to you.
Your Path from Eligibility Check to No-Cost Installation
Since Energy Saver NC is active, all six steps can begin now. We guide you through each one — no bureaucracy, no paperwork hassle on your end.
Quick quiz confirms you qualify and adds you to the priority list.
We send you a checklist; gather income & residency proof at your pace.
We file your application with the Energy Saver NC program on your behalf.
A certified auditor visits your home and maps out exactly what you'll get.
Review audit results, pick your upgrades, and we line up certified contractors.
Licensed contractors do the work. You pay nothing. Ever.
Check Eligibility
Your first step is the fastest. A brief eligibility quiz confirms that you live in North Carolina, your home qualifies as a primary residence, and your income puts you in range for one or both programs. The whole thing takes about two minutes and requires no documents — just a few quick answers.
- Confirm your North Carolina primary residence — homeowners and renters both qualify
- Estimate your approximate household income — we'll match you to the right program tier
- Get your personalized upgrade estimate — see which programs you're likely eligible for
- Your information is added to our priority list — we'll contact you immediately to begin your application
- No documents needed at this stage — that comes in Step 2
The program is live — you can apply today. Getting started now means our team can submit your application while Energy Saver NC funding is available. Spots are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
What You'll Need
- Approximate household income
- Confirm North Carolina primary residence
- ~2 minutes of your time
- No documents needed yet
Prepare Your Documents
After you pre-register, we'll send you a personalized document checklist — exactly what's needed for your specific situation. There's no rushing; gather documents at your own pace while you wait for the program to launch. Our team will review everything and let you know if anything needs to be corrected before we submit.
- We send you a precise checklist based on your program eligibility — HOMES, HEAR, or both
- Our team reviews your documents to catch any issues before submission
- If documents are missing or incorrect, we'll contact you with specific guidance
- Once docs are ready and reviewed, we store them securely and prepare your file for submission
Get document-ready now. Since the program is active, having your documents prepared means we can submit your application without delay. Energy Saver NC processes applications on a first-come, first-served basis — being prepared is an advantage.
What You'll Need
- Proof of ownership or lease (renters)
- Income docs OR proof of Medicaid / SNAP / SSI
- Last 1–3 months of utility bills
- Government-issued photo ID
Submit Application
Once your documents are ready, our team submits your application through the Energy Saver NC portal. You won't need to create an account, navigate a government portal, or worry about formatting requirements. We handle the entire submission on your behalf and send you a confirmation the same day.
- We file your complete application with the Energy Saver NC program on your behalf
- You receive a confirmation email with your application reference number
- We monitor your application status and notify you at every stage of review
- You never need to navigate the government portal yourself — we handle it for you
We handle every detail of the submission. You don't need to do anything — as long as your documents from Step 2 are ready, we'll file without any further action required from you.
What You'll Get
- Application filed on your behalf
- Confirmation email sent to you
- Status updates at every stage
- No government portal navigation needed
Home Energy Audit
Once your application is approved, we schedule a no-cost home energy audit with a certified auditor in your area. They'll spend 1–2 hours assessing your home's energy use — measuring insulation, checking your HVAC system, inspecting windows and doors, and running diagnostic tests. The result is a detailed report showing exactly what upgrades your home needs and how much energy each will save.
- We schedule the auditor and confirm the appointment — just be home at the agreed time
- The auditor uses diagnostic tools (blower door, thermal imaging) to measure actual performance
- You receive a detailed energy audit report — no surprises, everything is explained clearly
- The audit is at no cost — it's included in our program administration
We coordinate everything. We arrange the auditor, scheduling, and paperwork through the Energy Saver NC program. Your only job is to be home for the 1–2 hour visit.
What You'll Get
- 1–2 hour professional home assessment
- Detailed energy audit report
- Estimated % energy savings
- Prioritized upgrade recommendations
Choose Your Upgrades
After your audit is complete, we'll present you with a clear summary of the upgrades your home qualifies for, along with projected energy savings for each. You choose which upgrades you want to move forward with — there's no obligation to accept any particular recommendation. Once you decide, we immediately begin contractor matching in your area.
- We present your upgrade options with projected rebate amounts side by side
- You review and select the upgrades you'd like installed — no pressure, no obligation
- We match you with pre-vetted, licensed contractors in your area of North Carolina
- We coordinate scheduling with the contractor to find a time that works for you
We guide you through every option clearly. After your audit report arrives, our team walks you through your upgrade options — no technical knowledge needed on your end.
What You'll Get
- Interactive upgrade selection
- Projected rebate per upgrade
- Contractor matches in your area
- No obligation — you choose
No-Cost Installation
This is the finish line — and the best part. Licensed, program-certified contractors show up and complete the work. You don't pay a single dollar at any point: the rebate is applied at the point of service, meaning the contractor is paid directly through the program. You simply open the door, let them work, and start enjoying lower energy bills the same day.
- A licensed, certified contractor completes all installation work
- The rebate is applied at point of service — the contractor is paid through the program, not by you
- All installed equipment comes with manufacturer warranties
- We provide energy savings tips to help you get the most out of your new equipment
- You pay nothing — ever. Not before, during, or after installation
We handle all coordination from here. Contractor scheduling, installation paperwork, and rebate processing are all managed by our team. Start saving on day one.
What You'll Get
- Licensed contractor installation
- Zero cost — rebate applied at point of service
- Equipment warranties included
- Energy savings tips & guidance
Realistic Timeline: What to Expect
Most of the time is waiting — not work. We handle the complexity so your active effort is less than a few hours total.
Why Work With Us Instead of Going Direct?
You could apply for Energy Saver NC on your own — but here's the honest comparison of what that looks like versus working with our team.
Going It Alone
With USA Smart Home Solutions
Transparent Process
Know exactly where you are at every step. No surprises, no guesswork — we send updates at each milestone so you're always in the loop.
Zero Stress
We handle permits, paperwork, contractor coordination, and rebate processing. Your job is to answer a few questions — everything else is on us.
Expert Support
Our team is available Mon–Fri 8am–6pm CT by phone or email. Real people, real answers — no automated bots when you need actual help.
Common Questions About the Process
Straight answers to the questions we hear most from North Carolina residents getting started with Energy Saver NC.
Eligibility check and document prep (Steps 1–2) take a few days to a week of your time. Once your documents are ready and submitted, the remainder of the process takes approximately 60–90 days: about 2–4 weeks for application review, 1–2 weeks for the energy audit and report, 3–7 days to choose your upgrades, and 4–8 weeks for contractor installation.
The total active time you'll spend across all six steps is less than a few hours. The rest is simply waiting for each stage to complete — and we handle everything during that wait.
Energy Saver NC is a federal program with limited funding processed on a first-come, first-served basis. You can technically apply directly, but navigating NCDEQ's portal, gathering the right documents, understanding the income thresholds, and coordinating a certified contractor all take significant time and expertise.
Our team specializes in exactly this process. We handle eligibility verification, document preparation, portal submission, and contractor coordination — at no cost to you. Most homeowners who try to apply directly run into delays from incomplete documentation or confusing requirements. We eliminate those issues entirely.
Yes — that's exactly what the eligibility quiz is designed to help with. You don't need to know which programs you qualify for in advance; our eligibility check will tell you. Most North Carolina residents are surprised to find they qualify for at least one of the two programs.
If you complete the quiz and the results suggest you may not qualify, we'll explain why and whether anything could change your eligibility. There's no downside to checking — the quiz is no cost, confidential, and takes about two minutes.
Renters are eligible for both the HOMES and HEAR programs, as long as the property is your primary residence in North Carolina. For upgrades that are structural — like insulation or HVAC replacement — your landlord will need to provide written consent since the improvements become part of the property.
Our team has experience facilitating this conversation. Many landlords agree readily because the upgrades increase the value of their property at no cost to them. We'll guide you through what to say and how to get approval without it becoming complicated.
That's completely fine — you don't need documents to check eligibility. Step 1 (the eligibility quiz) requires no paperwork at all. Once you're in our system, we'll send you a checklist and you can gather documents at your own pace.
Our team will follow up with reminders and specific guidance if anything on your checklist needs clarification. The sooner you're document-ready, the sooner we can submit your application and secure your place in the process.
Yes, and for many North Carolina households, applying for both is the smartest approach. HOMES covers whole-home energy efficiency improvements based on measured energy savings, while HEAR provides point-of-sale rebates on specific appliances and electrification equipment like heat pumps, water heaters, and electrical panel upgrades.
A household that qualifies for HEAR (income under 150% of AMI) can use HEAR to cover specific appliances and HOMES to fund whole-home efficiency work — effectively stacking the programs for maximum value. Our team identifies all programs you qualify for and structures your application to maximize every dollar available to you.
If an application is denied, we'll receive a specific reason from the program administrator and share it with you clearly. In many cases, a denial is correctable — missing documentation, a verification issue, or a data entry error. We'll work with you to address it and resubmit.
We also review all applications thoroughly before submission to minimize the chance of denial in the first place. In the event an application genuinely cannot be approved under one program, we'll assess whether you qualify under the other and what alternative paths may be available to you.
Our team is available Monday through Friday, 8am to 6pm Central Time. You can reach us by phone at 417-209-1219 or by email at info@USAsmarthomesolutions.com. When you call or write, you'll reach a real person — not a chatbot or an automated system.
Once you're pre-registered, you'll also be assigned a dedicated contact on our team who handles your application from start to finish. That person will reach out proactively at each milestone so you're never left wondering what's happening with your application.