Building Performance Association Welcomes DOE Action to Move Training for Residential Energy Contractors (TREC) Program Forward

The Department of Energy has updated the rules for a program called TREC, short for Training for Residential Energy Contractors, which gives states grants to train workers who do home energy efficiency and electrification upgrades, things like insulation, air sealing (blocking drafts and gaps in a house), and installing heat pumps. The new guidance gives states more flexibility to shape training programs around their own local needs, rather than following a single national model. The change clears the way for more states to start their own TREC-funded programs.

For a homeowner, this doesn't change any rebate or incentive you can apply for directly. What it does is support the pipeline of trained, certified workers who install the equipment and upgrades that rebate programs cover. The idea is that more funding for training makes it cheaper and easier for contractors to build up skilled crews, which over time could mean shorter waits and more qualified installers available in your area, especially for newer work like heat pump installation.

One example already underway is in Pennsylvania, where the Penn Heat Pump Pathways program is using TREC funds to train workers. Other states may now set up similar programs, though the details will vary, since DOE's updated rules are meant to let each state tailor its approach. If you're planning an energy upgrade, it may be worth checking whether your state has a TREC-supported training program and what workforce or contractor resources are available where you live.