Fix First HomeWhat home-upgrade rebates actually pay — and who you apply to.

Fix First Home › Michigan › DTE Energy Efficiency Assistance (free upgrades)

DTE Energy Efficiency Assistance (free upgrades) open

Administered by DTE Energy, through more than 30 partner organizations.

DTE installs energy-saving products and upgrades free for customers with household income at or below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines, through community organizations in each county. Enrollment in DTE's Low Income Self-Sufficiency Plan, SNAP or WIC also qualifies; money goes to the partner organizations first come, first served.

source · verified 2 October 2026 · amounts in US dollars

What it pays

No published cap — and that is the honest answer

DTE publishes no per-home figure: what is installed depends on the home and on whether the account is electric, gas or both, and is free to the customer.

The partner organization serving your county checks eligibility, schedules the work and installs the products. DTE's account must be active and in good standing at the time of service.

Who is eligible

DTE's published income limits (250% of the poverty guidelines, as printed)
People in householdAnnual income
1$39,125
2$52,875
3$66,625
4$80,375
5$94,125
6$107,875
7$121,675
8$135,375
larger households
Add $13,750 for each person over eight, DTE says.
automatic
Active enrollment in the Low Income Self-Sufficiency Plan or a state low-income program such as SNAP or WIC.
homes
Single-family and multifamily customers.

What disqualifies you

The rules people find out about after the work is done.

  • A DTE account that is not active and in good standing when the work is done.

Where the application goes

Contact the participating organization listed for your county on DTE's page.

Where the application goes
If this is youApply here
Program page and county partnersdteenergy.com

The thing most pages get wrong

DTE's table is last year's. Its figures are 250% of the 2025 poverty guidelines, $80,375 for a family of four with $13,750 for each extra person; 250% of the 2026 guidelines is $82,500 for four and $14,200 per person (New Jersey's utilities print the same 2026 lines). A household just above DTE's printed line may still qualify.

A bill credit too

DTE's Residential Income Assistance credit takes $8.50 a month off an electric account and $14.50 off a gas account for income-qualified customers, with proof of income.

Other free help

Michigan's Weatherization Assistance Program, through the Community Action Agencies, insulates and repairs heating free below 200% of the poverty line, and MiHER's enhanced rebates cover up to all of the cost below 80% of area median income where the district is open.