State offers rebate for buyers of some manufactured homes

Buyers of manufactured homes could earn a $500 rebate from the North Carolina State Energy Office if their new home is Energy Star-compliant, the state announced Tuesday.

The program provides an incentive for homeowners to purchase a home that may have a slightly higher monthly mortgage, but ultimately saves money through energy efficiency and lower monthly utility bills, said Ward Lenz, director of the office.

On average, homeowners will save about $74 per month – or $888 a year – on utility bills compared with a home of the same size that is not Energy Star-rated.

The rebate program is sponsored, in part, by the State Energy Office with funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Also sponsoring the program is the North Carolina Manufactured and Modular Homebuilders Association.