Benton PUD will pay homeowners real money this fall to seal up the parts of a house that leak heat all winter — attics, walls, floors, windows and doors — not just the furnace. The utility's current rebate sheet, effective since Oct. 1, 2025, lists per-square-foot payments for insulation and window upgrades on single-family homes, townhouses and buildings of four units or fewer, according to Benton PUD's Residential Energy Efficiency Program rebate PDF.
Tri-Cities Today already told readers to line up furnace service before the cold snap and to protect outdoor pipes and hose bibs before first frost. This guide covers the building envelope — the insulation, air sealing, windows and doors that homeowners often skip because the rebates require an approved contractor and paperwork, not just a phone call.
What Benton PUD will pay
The numbers break down by measure, according to the PUD's rebate sheet:
- Floor insulation: $0.09 to $0.12 per square foot.
- Wall insulation: $2.00 per square foot.
- Air sealing: a flat $40 when done alongside attic or floor insulation in a qualifying electrically heated home.
- Replacement windows: up to $16 per square foot for single-pane upgrades, or $8 per square foot for double-pane metal or vinyl replacements, depending on the home's existing insulation.
- Entry doors: a flat $40 for an ENERGY STAR-qualified insulated door in an electrically heated home, done through an approved window and door contractor.
Actual payouts depend on the square footage a contractor measures and the home's current insulation levels, so the final rebate varies house to house.
There's a catch that trips up a lot of homeowners: Benton PUD says the work has to be done by an approved contractor. You can't buy the materials, do it yourself over a weekend and still collect the rebate, according to the PUD's residential rebates page. The PUD doesn't post a full contractor directory online, so homeowners should call Benton PUD or ask their contractor directly to confirm approved status before signing anything.
Low-income weatherization help
Benton PUD also runs a separate low-income energy conservation program for electrically heated single-family and manufactured homes. It covers insulation, window and door replacement, and heat pumps, with rebate amounts capped at actual project cost, per the PUD's low-income rebate page.
Getting on the list takes a couple of steps. Residents have to pick up an income-verification application, take it to Benton Franklin Community Action Connections in Pasco for verification, then bring the signed form back to Benton PUD in person. Waitlist priority goes to households with higher energy use, so there's no guaranteed timeline. The PUD's site doesn't post current wait times, so ask about that when you drop off the application.
Franklin PUD's programs
Franklin PUD customers have a different set of options. Its low-income effort, called Energy Matchmaker, blends state, local and utility money to cover attic, wall and floor insulation, weatherstripping and furnace modifications, according to a Franklin PUD utility profile maintained by the federal LIHEAP Clearinghouse. The listing doesn't include a public dollar-amount rebate sheet like Benton PUD's. Residents should contact their local community action agency for specifics on what's covered and how to apply.
Franklin PUD separately offers bill discounts for seniors and people with disabilities. Customers 62 and older can get 15% to 30% off their bill depending on income, and qualifying disabled customers get a 30% discount. Both require an application, available on Franklin PUD's website or by calling 1-800-638-7701 or 509-547-5591.
Why move now
Benton PUD's rebate sheet carries the standard language that offers are valid until the program changes or funding expires. It doesn't list a hard fall deadline, but utility conservation budgets are limited each year and can run out before new funding arrives. With heating bills set to climb as temperatures drop this winter, insulation and air-sealing work finished this month pays off on the first cold snap, rather than next spring.
Quick checklist before you call a contractor
- Pull up Benton PUD's current rebate PDF and note which measures apply to your home — attic, wall, floor, windows or door.
- Confirm your contractor is on Benton PUD's approved list before signing a contract; rebates are denied for self-installed or non-approved work.
- If you're income-qualified, get the verification application from Benton Franklin Community Action Connections in Pasco before contacting Benton PUD's low-income program.
- Franklin PUD customers: call 1-800-638-7701 or 509-547-5591 to ask about Energy Matchmaker and senior/disability discounts.
- Keep receipts and contractor paperwork — most utility rebates require proof of measure and square footage at submission.
Frequently asked questions
Can I install the insulation myself and still get the Benton PUD rebate? No. Benton PUD requires an approved contractor for weatherization and HVAC rebate work; self-installed projects don't qualify, according to the PUD's residential rebates page.
Do these rebates apply to rentals or multifamily buildings? The current rebate sheet covers single-family homes, townhouses and buildings of four units or fewer, per Benton PUD's rebate PDF. Landlords of qualifying small buildings should confirm eligibility with the PUD directly.
What's the difference between the window rebate tiers? Benton PUD pays more — up to $16 per square foot — for replacing old single-pane windows, and less, $8 per square foot, for upgrading double-pane metal or vinyl windows, with the exact amount depending on the home's existing insulation levels.
Where do I apply for Franklin PUD's Energy Matchmaker program? Franklin PUD directs residents to their local community action agency for details, rather than listing a fixed rebate schedule online, according to the LIHEAP Clearinghouse utility profile.
