H.R. 2679: Cool Roof Rebate Act of 2025

Summary

The Cool Roof Rebate Act of 2025 is a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that would establish a new federal rebate program to incentivize the installation of cool roofs on residential and commercial buildings. The main goal of the legislation is to promote the use of reflective, energy-efficient roofing materials in order to reduce building energy consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Key Provisions

• Creates a rebate program administered by the Department of Energy to provide homeowners and businesses with a one-time payment of up to $5,000 for installing a qualified cool roof on their building.
• Defines a "cool roof" as a roof system that reflects at least 65% of solar radiation and meets specific energy efficiency standards.
• Requires the rebates to cover at least 50% of the total cost of purchasing and installing the cool roof system.
• Provides an additional $1,000 rebate for buildings located in urban "heat island" areas that experience higher temperatures due to the concentration of buildings and pavement.
• Authorizes $500 million in funding for the rebate program over a 5-year period from 2026 to 2030.

Impact and Beneficiaries

The Cool Roof Rebate Act is intended to drive wider adoption of cool roof technologies, which can reduce a building's cooling costs by 10-30% and lower urban temperatures by several degrees. This could lead to significant energy savings and emissions reductions, especially in hotter regions.

The rebates would primarily benefit:

• Homeowners and small businesses who want to install a new cool roof or replace an existing roof
• Owners of commercial and multifamily residential buildings
• Residents of urban areas affected by the "heat island" effect

By offsetting the upfront costs, the rebates are expected to make cool roofs more affordable and accessible for a wider range of building owners.

Timeline and Next Steps

The Cool Roof Rebate Act was introduced in the House of Representatives on April 7, 2025. It has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which will likely hold hearings and debate the bill before deciding whether to send it to the full House for a vote.

If passed by the House and Senate, and signed into law by the President, the rebate program would be established and start accepting applications from consumers in 2026.