Agencies
Services
Residential Electrification Catalyst Grant Program
Coming soon!
The Climate Pollution Reduction Grant funding fills gaps in state and federal energy‑efficiency and electrification efforts by providing strategic, targeted financial support that leverages existing programs. This funding enables projects that would not move forward without additional assistance—particularly in low‑income households, where high rates of “walk‑aways” often occur due to cost barriers.
Program Overview
Illinois EPA’s Office of Energy is offering funding to support the state’s Priority Climate Action Plan, made possible through Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Implementation Funds. The Residential Electrification Catalyst Grant Program expands efforts to make residential buildings cleaner, healthier, and more energy efficient.
Through this program, Local Action Agencies (LAAs) and Community Action Agencies (CAAs) engaged in home weatherization can broaden their residential services to fill remaining electrification gaps—such as installing heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and other necessary upgrades. This support complements existing state and federal incentives available to low‑income households and is specifically designed to address funding gaps in municipal and cooperative utility service areas.
Only LAAs and CAAs offering services in these eligible service areas may apply. As program implementers, these agencies will distribute funding to each home using the following structure:
- Total funding requested cannot exceed the award amount received through the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP).
- Up to $20,000 per home is available and must include at least one electrification measure. Whole‑home electrification is encouraged, but must demonstrate modeled cost savings.
- Funds must be braided with IHWAP, with 50% allocated to IHWAP and 50% allocated to the Residential Electrification Catalyst Grant Program.
- Client eligibility is limited to households approved through the IHWAP application review process.
Program Significance
The Residential Electrification Catalyst Grant Program plays a critical role in helping Illinois accelerate its transition to cleaner, more resilient homes—particularly for residents who face the highest energy burdens. Despite the availability of federal and state incentives, many low‑income households remain unable to take full advantage of electrification upgrades due to limited funding, high upfront costs, and gaps in utility service availability. These barriers routinely lead to “walk‑aways,” where projects that would meaningfully improve health, comfort, and long‑term affordability simply cannot proceed.
By strategically supplementing existing programs like IHWAP, this initiative ensures that essential electrification measures—such as heat pumps and heat pump water heaters—can be installed where they would otherwise be out of reach. The program not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also supports energy equity, enabling more Illinois residents to access modern, efficient technologies that lower utility bills and improve indoor air quality.
In addition, focusing on municipal and cooperative utility service areas closes a long‑standing funding gap that has limited the reach of electrification programs. The Catalyst Grant strengthens coordination across agencies, supports implementers already trusted within communities, and helps Illinois meet its statewide climate goals through practical, household‑level impact.
