What’s the catch?

It’s a question we hear a lot. We try to explain that there is no catch, that this is a program to help ween Hawaii shift to clean energy and away from imported fossil fuels, and it’s 100% subsidized by Hawaii Energy, a ratepayer funded efficiency program. But what exactly does that mean?

The key is…you and everyone else with a HECO, MECO, or HELCO bill are already paying for this, and have been for as long as you’ve been paying those bills. It’s a small line item fee on every electric bill called the Public Benefit Fund. You may never have seen it, but rest assured, you’re paying into this pool of money every month, whether it’s a dime, a nickel, or even a dollar, it’s there.

So the bottom line is that you can take advantage of this program to allow Pono Home to green your home, or you can let those funds go to someone else who decides to take advantage of the opportunity. Funds are limited, and it’s first come, first served!

Here’s a graphic about the PBF that further explains it.