West Virginia Office of Energy Looks to Save Residents Money Through New Program

Emma Gallus, Online Director | Emma Johnson, News Director | Alyson Messinger, News Editor

September 10, 2026

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WMUL-FM) — A new program is looking to help homeowners and renters lower utility rates across the state, while giving West Virginians jobs. 

“We designed this in such a way that it is West Virginians helping West Virginians, led by West Virginians,” John Brumley, a program manager for the West Virginia Office of Energy said. “ I think the intimate knowledge of how the state works and what is best for the people of the state… I think that’s what’s really going to drive the success of this program.”

The WVOE’s Home Owner Managing Energy Savings, or HOMES, program has entered its pilot phase. 

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey said in a press release, “This program will help West Virginians make practical improvements that lower energy costs, strengthen our housing stock and put more money back in the pockets of hardworking families.”

The HOMES program is funded through the U.S. Department of Energy and hopes to offset the cost of home energy improvements including; insulation, air sealing, energy-efficient windows and doors, as well as upgrading to more modern heating and cooling systems. 

Homeowners and renters’ eligibility is based on household income and projected energy savings. Low-income households may be able to receive higher rebates. 

“Unlike other states, West Virginia was able to negotiate with the Department of Energy so that our low income families pay nothing out of pocket,” Clayburne Stevens, a program manager for the WVOE, said.

The WVOE hopes that once the program is fully implemented, West Virginia households are projected to save up to $4.5 million annually on utility bills. 

Homeowners aren’t the only ones able to apply for the program. Renters are able to qualify with approval from their landlords in the form of a landlord authorization form. 

Currently applications for HOMES are on a waitlist. Once the pilot program is over, people statewide will be able to apply at the WVOE’s website or at their regional implementation partner. 

“There’s so many systems and processes that we have put in place, and before we open this up to the state, we just simply want to make sure that all of these are working effectively, efficiently, and that we can maximize the impact of the rebate program once we’re able to go statewide,” Stevens said. 

The pilot phase is made up of homes in southern West Virginia in collaboration with Coalfield Community Action Partnership, Southwestern Community Action Council and PRIDE Community Services.

In an effort to bring new jobs to West Virginia, the WVOE has partnered with Everblue to offer a training program for contractors. The Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Program gives those interested the training and credentials necessary to participate in the program and serve households across the state. 

“We’ve worked with Everblue to develop a curriculum that’s self-paced with a couple of in-person lessons that you have to go to just to test your knowledge. We offer $20 an hour for about eight months’ worth of training,” Brumley said. “After that, we guarantee a $2,000 completion bonus and also work with our program for two years in your community in West Virginia, helping out people that you might know.”

There is currently no date for the full rollout of the program, but residents interested in signing up for the waitlist, seeing if their eligible or finding out more information can visit the WVOE’s website at energywv.org.

Emma Johnson and Alyson Messinger spoke with Clayburne Stevens. Listen to the story here.