Federal Income Tax Credits for Efficiency Upgrades

The Inflation Reduction Act has introduced an unprecedented suite of direct rebates and tax credits for residential electrification and efficiency (up to $14,000 per home). Tax credits covering 30% of the project costs will be available for qualifying improvements to your primary residence through 2032. 

Please note: Due to changes introduced in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), many of these clean energy tax credits, including those for home improvements and electric vehicles, are currently scheduled to expire after December 31, 2025. The EV tax credit is set to expire earlier, on September 30, 2025.

To explore what’s currently available, visit the U.S Department of Energy’s Energy Savings Hub for the most up-to-date information on tax credits and rebates.

EquipmentYou can claim (%)Max. Amount CreditedMore InfoNote
Air Source Heat Pump30%$2,000Tax Credit Information Ducted: EER2 > 10                             
Ductless (mini-splits): SEER2 > 16, EER2 > 9, HSPF2 > 9.5 
Heat Pump Water Heaters30%$2,000Tax Credit InformationMust be ENERGY STAR certified
Biomass Stoves/Boilers30%$2,000Tax Credit Information

Must have a thermal efficiency rating of at least 75%.

Windows & Skylights30%$600Tax Credit InformationMust meet the Energy Star Most Efficient criteria to be eligible.
Exterior Doors30%$500 ($250/door)Tax Credit InformationMust meet the Energy Star Most Efficient criteria to be eligible.
Insulation30%$1,200Tax Credit Information

Typical bulk insulation products can qualify, such as batts, rolls, blow-in fibers, rigid boards, expanding spray, and pour-in-place.

Products that air seal (reduce air leaks) can also qualify, as long as they come with a Manufacturers Certification Statement, including:

  • Weather stripping
  • Spray foam in a can, designed to air seal
  • Caulk designed to air seal
  • House wrap
Water Heaters (Natural Gas, Oil, Propane)30%$600 Tax Credit InformationGas > 0.81 UEF for tanks less than 55 gallons and >0.86 for tanks greater than or equal to 55 gallons.  Tankless Gas >0.95 UEF
Furnaces30%$600Tax Credit Information

Gas furnace with AFUE >97%, Oil Furnace, fuel blends at least 20% of the volume of which consists of biodiesel, renewable diesel, or second generation biofuel. Must be an existing home & your principal residence. New construction and rentals do not apply.

Boilers 30%$600Tax Credit InformationENERGY STAR certified gas boilers with AFUE > 95% are eligible.
Central Air Conditioners30%$600Tax Credit InformationSEER2 > 16 is eligible
Electric Panel Upgrade30%$600Tax Credit InformationAny improvement to, or replacement of, a panelboard, sub-panelboard, branch circuits, or feeders.  Load capacity =>200 amps and in conjunction with additional energy efficiency improvements .
Home Energy Audit 30%$150Tax Credit InformationMust be conducted and prepared by a certified home energy auditor.  TCEC home energy evaluations are not eligible for this tax credit.  
Geothermal Heat Pumps30%————Tax Credit InformationMust be Energy Star certified
Small Wind Turbines 30%————Tax Credit InformationResidential
Solar Energy Systems30%————-Tax Credit InformationIncludes solar water heaters and solar panels. Must provide electricity to residence.
Fuel Cells30%$500/ half (kW) of power capacityTax Credit InformationNameplate capacity of at least 0.5 kW of electricity using an electrochemical process and an electricity-only generation efficiency greater than 30%.
Battery Storage Technology30% Tax Credit Information

Must have a capacity of not less than 3 kilowatt hours.

 

How can I maximize my tax credits?

Given the way the annual aggregate limits are structured, it may be prudent to spread your improvements over a few years. If your heating or cooling system is old, and you are considering a new air source heat pump, it is always wise to optimize your attic insulation first, so you don’t pay for more heating and cooling than you actually need. Making these upgrades together in one year would allow you a tax credit of up to $1,200 for the insulation and up to $2,000 for the heat pump. Similarly, you could combine a heat pump installation with window/door replacements. In that scenario, the $2,000 credit for the heat pump could be combined with tax credits up to $600 total for the windows/skylights plus $500 for two or more doors. If you replace your water heater the following year, you would be eligible for another 30% tax credit, up to $2,000 plus up to $600 if you need an electric panel upgrade to accommodate the new water heater.

For more information about these incentives, visit: https://www.energystar.gov/about/federal-tax-credits