Built to Save® Builder Rebates and Incentives in Texas — What Is Available in 2026
Building to the Built to Save® standard pays off beyond the sale. Certified builders in the Rio Grande Valley can access three separate incentive sources — a utility rebate from MVEC, program incentives through AEP Texas, and a federal tax credit worth up to $5,000 per home. Each reward your commitment to verified energy performance, and the right combination can add real margin to every home you close.
How Builders Earn More From Certified Homes
Built to Save® certification opens the door to incentives at the state, utility, and federal level. Magic Valley Electric Cooperative offers rebates to builders whose homes earn Built to Save® certification. Contact MVEC for current program rates.
The sections below explain how each program works, what you need to qualify, and how to pursue all three on a single home.
MVEC Rebates for Built to Save® Certified Builders
How MVEC Rebates Work
Magic Valley Electric Cooperative sponsors the Built to Save® program and backs that sponsorship with direct financial rewards for participating builders. When a home earns Built to Save® certification, MVEC rebates part of the cost back to the builder — recognizing the investment in materials, testing, and verified performance.
MVEC sets rebate amounts based on current program budgets and efficiency thresholds. Because those figures can change each program year, call 956-778-3590 or visit magicvalley.coop for the rates in effect before you break ground.
Who Qualifies
To receive MVEC rebates, builders must:
- Build within MVEC service territory
- Achieve Built to Save® certification on the home (HERS/ERI score of 63 or lower, or 5% better than 2015 IECC minimum)
- Work with a who conducts the required testing and submits documentation
Builders not yet enrolled in the program should start with before contacting MVEC about rebates.
AEP Texas High-Performance Homes Program Incentives
How the AEP Texas Program Works
AEP Texas runs a High-Performance Homes program that pays builders for constructing homes that perform measurably better than standard code. The baseline requirement is a minimum 5% reduction in projected kWh usage compared to the energy code baseline. Builders who hit that threshold qualify for the core incentive, and specific equipment upgrades trigger additional payments on top.
The AEP Texas program rewards these qualifying measures with added incentives:
- 15.2 SEER2 air conditioning systems or higher
- Quality insulation installed to manufacturer specs and verified by a rater
- Heat pump water heaters
- ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostats
- EV charging-ready circuits or installed EV chargers
Requirements for RGV Builders
RGV builders pursuing AEP Texas incentives must serve homes in AEP Texas service territory. The home’s projected energy use must be modeled and verified by a qualified energy rater — the same third-party verification process that Built to Save® already requires.
AEP Texas sets program terms annually. Confirm current requirements and available incentive tiers directly with AEP Texas before committing to a spec package.
How Built to Save® Certification Relates to AEP Texas Incentives
Built to Save® certification and AEP Texas High-Performance Homes incentives target the same construction quality — verified energy performance above code. A home built to the Built to Save® standard will often satisfy the AEP Texas performance threshold without additional changes.
The testing and documentation your RESNET-certified rater produces for Built to Save® certification can support your AEP Texas application. Work with your rater early to confirm both programs get what they need from a single inspection cycle. Learn more about what certification requires at .
Frequently Asked Questions — Builder Incentives
How do I apply for MVEC rebates as a Built to Save® builder?
Start by completing Built to Save® certification on the home. Your RESNET-certified rater submits the required documentation as part of the certification process. Once certification is issued, contact MVEC at 956-778-3590 or to initiate the rebate claim. MVEC will walk you through current documentation requirements.
Do the incentive amounts change each year?
Yes. MVEC rebates is set by each utility’s program budget and can change annually or even mid-year when funds run out.
Do I need to be an active Built to Save® builder to access these rebates?
For MVEC rebates tied to Built to Save® certification, yes — the home must earn certification, which requires working through the Built to Save® program.
Start Earning More on Every Home You Build
Built to Save® certified builders access rebates, utility incentives, and federal tax credits that builders outside the program leave on the table. The certification process is straightforward, and your RESNET-certified rater handles most of the documentation.
to get started. For questions about current MVEC rebate amounts or program eligibility, call 956-778-3590 or email .
Become A BUILT TO SAVE® Builder
BUILT TO SAVE® program doesn’t require the builder to jump through hoops to meet extensive construction requirements or focus on non-energy saving items that would be more appropriate for building “green.” The program also provides generous incentives from Magic Valley Electric Coop (MVEC) to the builders for homes in MVEC territory that can be used to offset the cost of inspections.
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