Wilmette Launches Green Homes Incentive Program

WILMETTE, IL — To encourage residents to live more sustainably, Wilmette has created and launched the Green Homes Incentive Program.

This new program incentivizes sustainable home installations that reduce the community's reliance on and usage of natural gas.

In 2024, the village conducted a greenhouse gas inventory that identified residential natural gas and electricity as two of the most significant contributors to community-wide emissions. According to officials, these emissions stem from the heating, cooling and daily energy needs within homes.

Incentives will be one-time disbursements for eligible project types for a portion of the resident's costs. Incentives will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, and once the payments reach the village's annual budget amount ($50,000 in 2026), a waitlist will be implemented.

Retroactive incentives will not be available.

Qualifying home improvements include:

Group A - income-eligible up to $700/$1,000

• Electric stove
• Heat pump dryer
• Electric panel upgrade (as part of a larger electrification project)
• EV charger (level 2)

Group B - income eligible up to $2,000/$3,000

• Weatherization (air sealing, insulation, window replacement)
• Heat Pump
• Heat Pump Water Heater

Group C - income eligible up to $3,000/$4,000

• Solar Panels
• Geothermal

Residents can begin submitting applications for the program on Thursday. Visit the village's website to learn which permits are required for each project type and to fill out an application.