Investing in energy efficiency, electrification and renewable energy often results in lower monthly energy bills, which over time offset the upfront costs of the improvements. Several local, utility and state programs help reduce the upfront costs through incentives, such as rebates and tax credits. Financing mechanisms can also reduce the burden of the upfront costs by spreading out payments over several years.
New! Visit the Virginia Energy Connect Incentives Browser to explore energy programs and incentives that may be available to you. To use the tool, select whether you are a homeowner or a renter, enter Arlington County, input your household size and income, and select your utilities (Dominion Energy and Washington Gas Light Company). This information is used to identify which programs you may be eligible for. You can also filter the list to discover programs for specific projects and types of incentives.
Income & Age Qualifying Energy Savings Program: no-cost home energy assessments and upgrades to qualified customers
Home Energy Evaluation Program: home energy assessments and rebates for energy upgrades
Energy Efficiency Marketplace: instant rebates on energy efficient products through the online marketplace or in-store at select retailers
Smart Home Program: instant rebates on smart devices that can reduce energy usage and improve comfort
Smart Thermostat Rebates: instant rebates on eligible smart thermostats
Smart Thermostat Rewards Program: rewards for allowing a smart thermostat to participate in energy events to reduce the strain on the grid
Peak Time Rebates Program: rewards for conserving energy during peak energy demand events
Water Energy Demand Response Program: rewards for adjustments to water energy use during periods of high demand
Water Energy Rebates: rebates on heat pump water heaters and pool pumps
Residential Charger Program: EV chargers are installed at no upfront cost and customer pays for the charger through monthly Dominion bills
Electric Vehicle Telematics Program: rewards for allowing automatic adjustments to EV chargers during periods of high demand
Income Qualifying Energy Efficiency Program: no-cost home energy assessments and upgrades for income-qualifying customers
Rebates on smart thermostats, water heaters, windows and window treatments, heating systems
Gas Fireplaces Tune-Up: rebate on gas fireplace tune-up completed by a participating contractor
Home Heating Tune-Up: rebate on furnace or boiler tune-up
Through the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), income-qualifying households can get no-cost energy upgrades that reduce energy costs and improve health and safety. The program includes an energy audit, followed by repairs and improvements to systems as well as installation of energy-saving measures, such as insulation and air sealing.
The WAP is a federally funded program that is administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). DHCD works with non-profit organizations across Virginia to implement the program. In Arlington, Community Housing Partners (CHP) is the local program provider.
View the eligibility criteria and complete the survey to qualify for the program here.
203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance Program: Homebuyers and homeowners can finance or refinance a current mortgage to include the cost of renovations, repairs, or remodels, including plumbing, heating and air conditioning, electrical systems, roofs and siding, and more.
Home Equity Conversion Mortgages for Seniors: Seniors can withdraw a portion of their home’s equity through a reverse mortgage to complete maintenance and repairs.
Visit the Group Purchasing Programs page to learn more about reduced costs to install solar, batteries and heat pumps.
Property owners may qualify for a tax exemption credit on installed certified solar energy equipment, facilities, or devices that are to be designed and used primarily for the purpose of collecting, generating, transferring, or storing thermal or electric energy. Pursuant to Virginia Code § 58.1-3661 & Arlington County Code Section 20-9, property owners may apply to the County Building Official to have their equipment certified and approved for a tax exemption in the form of a credit deducted from their annual real estate tax bill. Once certified, the qualifying solar energy equipment, facilities, or devices are valued by the Arlington County Real Estate Assessor to determine the amount of the tax exemption credit to be deducted from the annual real estate tax bill. This annual tax exemption credit deduction will last for five years starting in the year following the application approval. If an application is approved and certified, the tax exemption will be in effect on January 1st of the following year and will be in effect for five consecutive years.
Solar Exemption Application
Solar-Tax-Exemption-Application.pdf
Solar-Tax-Exemption-Application-Fillable.pdf
Please submit this application and required documentation to the Arlington County Building official at: solartaxexemption@arlingtonva.us
Application Process
Ensure that all solar equipment is properly permitted and installed as required under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC).
Complete a Solar Energy Equipment, Facilities, or Devices Taxation Application and submit the application and required documentation to the Arlington County Building Official.
Provide a copy of the plans, specifications, and drawings of the solar energy equipment, facilities, or devices.
Provide a brief narrative description of the function of the solar energy equipment, facilities, or devices.
Provide any documentation for the cost of the installed solar energy equipment, facilities, or devices (materials and labor).
The application will either be denied by the Arlington County Building Official, at which time a denial letter will be provided, or will be certified and sent to the Arlington County Assessor for valuation. (Any person aggrieved by a decision of the local building department may appeal such decision to the local board of building code appeals, which may affirm or reverse such decision)
If certified, the Assessor will determine the value of the equipment which shall not be less than the normal cost of purchasing and installing such equipment, facilities, or devices.
A written determination of value will be provided to the property owner from the Assessor, and the value will be used annually for a consecutive five-year term to calculate the exemption credit that is deducted from the annual real estate tax bill.
Sample Exemption Credit Calculation:
An application was submitted and approved during the 2023 calendar year which means an exemption credit will be calculated and deducted from the 2024 real estate assessment tax bill.
The cost of installation and purchasing the equipment was determined by the Assessor to be $30,000.
Based on the FY 2025 real estate tax rate of $1.033 per hundred dollars of assessed value, the $30,000 exemption value would equate to a tax credit deduction of $309.90 from the annual real estate tax bill amount. This is calculated by dividing the $30,000 by 100 and multiplying that amount by $1.033. ($30,000/100)*1.033 = $309.90
The exemption value as determined by the Assessor upon approval of the application will remain the same for each of the five consecutive years 2024 – 2028.
The calculated exemption credit deducted from the annual real estate tax bill will be calculated each year based on that year’s tax rate.
Contact Please contact the Department of Real Estate assessments at 703-228-4874 or assessments@arlingtonva.us with any questions or assistance with this process.
Disclaimer: Homeowners should carefully research financing options before taking out a loan. The above is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.