The "Cool Roof Rebate Act of 2025" establishes a rebate program through the Department of Energy for eligible households to purchase and install cool roof products, aiming to improve energy efficiency and reduce urban heat island effects, with specific rebate amounts based on roof type and product performance.
Valerie Foushee
Representative
NC-4
The "Cool Roof Rebate Act of 2025" establishes a rebate program, running through September 30, 2030, for eligible households to receive financial assistance for the purchase and installation of cool roof products. Rebate amounts vary based on the type and performance of the cool roof product installed, with higher rebates for products that meet more stringent solar reflectance and thermal emittance criteria. The Act also requires a report to Congress on the program's impact and authorizes appropriations for both the rebate program and updates to the Cool Roof Calculator. To be eligible, households must have an income less than 200% of their ZIP Code's median income and reside in a high-risk area according to the CDC's Heat and Health Index.
New Bill Proposes Rebates Up to $0.75/sq ft for Energy-Saving 'Cool Roofs' Through 2030
This proposed legislation, the "Cool Roof Rebate Act of 2025," aims to establish a federal program giving money back to eligible households that install specific types of heat-reflecting roofing, often called 'cool roofs.' Set to run from fiscal year 2026 until September 30, 2030, the program offers rebates between $0.25 and $0.75 per square foot. The exact amount depends on your roof's slope and how effectively the chosen product reflects sunlight and releases heat. The main idea is to help qualifying households cut down on cooling costs and improve home comfort, particularly in hotter climates.
Who's Eligible for a Roofing Rebate?
Not just anyone can claim this rebate. Eligibility hinges on two main factors outlined in Section 2. First, your household's total annual income must be less than 200% of the median income for your specific ZIP Code. Second, your home generally needs to be located in a ZIP Code Tabulation Area that falls within the 75th percentile or higher on the CDC's Heat and Health Index, indicating significant heat-related health risks. (For areas not yet included in the Index, eligibility is based solely on the income requirement until they are added). This targeting aims the financial assistance toward households potentially struggling more with high energy bills and the effects of extreme heat. The program covers both single-family homes and multi-family buildings.
Breaking Down the Rebate Amounts
The rebate amount varies based on the roof type and the product's performance metrics, detailed in Section 2. Key terms here are 'solar reflectance' (how much sunlight is reflected away) and 'thermal emittance' (how efficiently heat is released). These are often combined into a 'Solar Reflectance Index' (SRI). Essentially, higher performance means a bigger rebate.
- Low-sloped roofs (slope 2:12 or less): Get $0.25/sq ft for products meeting minimum standards (e.g., aged SRI 99) or $0.75/sq ft for higher-performing ones (e.g., aged SRI 114).
- Steep-sloped roofs (slope over 2:12): Have separate tiers for asphalt shingles and non-asphalt materials, with rebates also at $0.25/sq ft or $0.75/sq ft depending on meeting specific aged reflectance, emittance, or SRI thresholds. For instance, top-tier non-asphalt shingles need an aged SRI of 71 for the higher rebate.
Importantly, the bill allows households to combine this rebate with other federal, state, or local financial assistance for the same cool roof installation.
Program Funding and Follow-Up
The bill authorizes $25 million annually for the rebate program from 2026 through 2030. An additional $600,000 is earmarked to update the existing Cool Roof Calculator tool, developed by national labs to help estimate potential energy savings. Once the program ends, the Secretary of Energy is required to report to Congress within six months. This report will cover details like whether rebates were used for new construction or retrofits, the types of old roofing replaced, and which cool roof products proved most popular, providing data on the program's real-world application and effectiveness.