By Benjamin Finnerty (S), REALTOR® (RS-83812) with Keller Williams Realty Maui · Kīhei, Maui · 808-481-9748

Quick Answer: Hawaiʻi Energy rebates for 2026–27 are open to Maui electric customers through June 30, 2027, first come, first served. Highlights: up to $2,750 instantly on a solar water heater in Maui County, up to $700 on a heat pump water heater, $1,250 on a central AC retrofit and up to $550 per mini-split unit, per Hawaiʻi Energy’s July 7, 2026 announcement.

I’m Benjamin Finnerty, a REALTOR® in Kīhei with Keller Williams Realty Maui. When people move here, electricity is one of the costs that surprises them most, and Hawaiʻi Energy rebates are one of the simpler ways to bring a bill down after you buy. Here’s what’s available on Maui this program year and how I’d fit it into a purchase.

What is Hawaiʻi Energy?

Hawaiʻi Energy is the state’s ratepayer-funded energy-efficiency program. Its rebates are available to electric utility customers on Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Hawaiʻi Island and Oʻahu; Kauaʻi is served by a separate utility cooperative and isn’t included. The 2026–27 program year runs through June 30, 2027.

The reason it matters on Maui: Hawaiian Electric’s average residential price on Maui was 41.58¢ per kWh in 2025, and bills have climbed since. My Maui electricity rates guide has the details.

What Hawaiʻi Energy rebates are available on Maui in 2026?

Here are the main residential rebates for the 2026–27 program year, as announced July 7, 2026:

Upgrade	Rebate	Type
Solar water heater (Maui County)	Up to $2,750	Instant
Solar water heater tune-up (Maui County)	Up to $325	Instant
Heat pump water heater	Up to $700	Instant
Heat pump water heater tune-up	Up to $325	Instant
Central AC retrofit	$1,250	Instant
Mini-split AC	Up to $550 per unit	Instant
AC tune-up	$75	Instant
ENERGY STAR window AC	Up to $45	Instant
Whole house fan	$100	Rebate
Solar attic fan	$75	Rebate
ENERGY STAR refrigerator trade-up	$250	With trade-in of a working older unit
Rid-A-Fridge recycling	$75	Free haul-away

Source: Hawaiʻi Energy news release, July 7, 2026, and Big Island Now (July 9, 2026). Rebates are first come, first served while funds last; check hawaiienergy.com/rebates for current terms.

Hawaiʻi Energy also offers extra discounts on efficient appliances and water heaters for eligible lower-income households and residents of geographically remote areas.

How much is the solar water heater rebate on Maui?

Up to $2,750 in Maui County for the 2026–27 program year. In January 2026, Hawaiʻi Energy raised its solar water heater rebates after federal residential solar tax credits ended on Dec. 31, 2025, setting Maui County at $2,600 for an 80-gallon system and $2,750 for a 120-gallon system. You must use a Hawaiʻi Energy participating contractor.

Hawaiʻi Energy says efficient water heating can cut a home’s electric bill by up to 40%. If the home you’re buying has an older electric resistance water heater, this is often the first upgrade I’d price out.

Do Hawaiʻi Energy rebates work with Hawaiʻi’s solar tax credit?

They’re separate programs. Hawaiʻi Energy rebates are utility-funded efficiency incentives, while the state renewable energy tax credit is claimed on your Hawaiʻi income tax return. My guide to Hawaiʻi’s solar tax credit and Act 24 explains how that credit works for Maui homeowners.

This is general information, not tax or legal advice. Confirm how any credit or rebate applies to you with a CPA or Hawaiʻi attorney.

What should I check about energy before buying a Maui home or condo?

Ask for the last 12 months of electric bills, the age and type of the water heater, and how the home is cooled. Those three items tell you more about the real monthly cost than the listing description does.

A short checklist:

• Water heater: solar, heat pump or standard electric? How old?
• Cooling: central AC, mini-splits, window units or ceiling fans only? Any recent service records?
• Solar PV and batteries: owned or leased, and what program is the system on?
• Condos: is water heating or AC on a shared system? Ask the association what’s allowed before planning any upgrade.

In a condo, the association’s rules control a lot. Before installing a mini-split or replacing a water heater, confirm what the house rules and the board allow.

My Take: What I’m Telling Buyers About Energy Costs

The rebates are real money, but I treat them as part of the overall math rather than a reason to buy. When buyers ask about alternative power, I generally look at the overall cost and do a cost-benefit analysis. For many buyers, the math doesn’t make sense to look into alternative power sources, but for some buyers, solar power and batteries with state incentives, including Hawaiʻi’s solar tax credit, can make sense over the long term.

Efficiency upgrades are usually an easier call. A solar or heat pump water heater with an instant rebate lowers the upfront cost, and the savings show up every month. On a home with an aging water heater or tired AC, I’d get contractor quotes during your inspection period, subtract the rebate, and factor the net cost into your offer or your post-closing budget.

My practical next steps: request 12 months of electric bills with your disclosures, note the age of the water heater and AC on your inspection report, and check hawaiienergy.com/rebates before you schedule any work, because funds are first come, first served.

Hawaiʻi Energy Rebates FAQ

Are Hawaiʻi Energy rebates available on Maui?
Yes. Electric utility customers on Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi are eligible, along with Hawaiʻi Island and Oʻahu.

When do the 2026–27 rebates end?
June 30, 2027, or sooner if funds run out.

Do I need a specific contractor?
For solar water heaters, yes: Hawaiʻi Energy requires a participating contractor. Check each rebate’s terms for others.

Is there a rebate for an AC tune-up?
Yes. Hawaiʻi Energy lists a $75 instant rebate on an AC tune-up for the 2026–27 program year.

Ask Benjamin

Buying a Maui home or condo and want help sizing up the real monthly costs, including electricity? I’m Benjamin Finnerty, and I’m happy to walk through the numbers with you. Call or text me at 808-481-9748 or email benjamin@the808team.com.

Sources: Hawaiʻi Energy news releases (Jan. 14, 2026, and July 7, 2026); Big Island Now (July 9, 2026); Hawaiian Electric 2025 average residential price data.