• Start by checking out Rewiring America’s savings calculator, which includes state and local incentives in 30 states. Some states have additional incentive finders (for example, The Switch is On in California), or you can consult DSIRE’s national database.

• If you’re ready to act, it’s always smart to reference the source of truth for any incentive: usually your state energy office or utility’s websites.

• These programs were not affected by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. However, implementation has been delayed due to programmatic uncertainty and staffing cuts within the Department of Energy. 

• To check the status of your state’s program, we recommend using Atlas Public Policy’s Home Energy Rebates Tracker and following through to your state’s energy office website.

The federally funded home energy rebate programs are designed to help low- and moderate-income households and can provide upfront discounts, often covering a significant share of the costs. (To check the status of your state’s program, we recommend using Atlas Public Policy’s Home Energy Rebates Tracker and following through to your state’s energy office website.) Many other state, local, and utility incentives are also designed to help low-income households.

• It depends. For specific guidance, check your program administrator’s rules.

• The only tax credits that have income caps are the electric vehicle tax credits. In those cases, eligibility is based on the current or previous year’s income — whichever is lower.

• Taxpayers can claim the 25D Residential Clean Energy Credit for all eligible upgrades made to second homes except fuel cell installations.

• Taxpayers can claim the 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit for eligible HVAC, water heating, and electrical panel upgrades made to second homes. Taxpayers cannot claim the 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit for energy audits or upgraded insulation, doors, or windows in second homes.

Renters can claim the federal tax credits for most upgrades, with the exception of insulation, doors, and windows. So, for example, renters can claim the 25C tax credit for window-unit heat pumps.

• Landlords cannot claim the individual energy tax credits discussed here. However, landlords can claim a separate business-facing tax credit for solar, geothermal, and battery storage installations in rental properties.

• Some state and local programs are also available to renters or their landlords.

• Under the 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (30% of costs, up to $600), upgraded panelboards, sub-panelboards, branch circuits, or feeders must meet all three requirements below:

  • Installed to code — must comply with the National Electric Code.

  • Capacity — must have a load capacity of at least 200 amps.

  • Enabling property — must be installed in conjunction with and to enable the use of another qualified 25C upgrade, such as a heat pump or heat pump water heater. 

• In other words, a panel upgrade by itself does not qualify for the credit. It only counts if it’s necessary for another eligible project.

Tax credit eligibility is tied to product efficiency or other standards, not specific brand names. Click through to the individual incentives pages on our website to learn more.

• Not for the federal tax credits, but some state and local incentives do require assessments.

• Pro tip: There is a $150 federal tax credit for home energy audits!

Check out Rewiring America’s savings calculator.

See here for a complete list of tax credit expiration dates.

• Taxpayers planning to claim a home energy tax credit must complete projects by December 31, 2025. For the 25D Residential Clean Energy Credit, there is some uncertainty regarding the definition of a “completed” project; our interpretation is that projects must be fully installed but not necessarily interconnected to the electric grid (i.e., not necessarily “placed in service”).

• You still get the benefit of the credit, since tax credits reduce your total tax liability. If you paid your federal income tax through withholdings and then claim a federal tax credit, you’ll receive that amount as a refund (since you technically overpaid the government).

• The tax credits are “nonrefundable,” but that only means the credit can’t reduce your tax liability below zero. (For example, if your liability was $3,000 and your credit was $5,000, you could only use $3,000 of it this year.)

• Carryover rules differ:

  • The 25C credit (for home efficiency improvements) cannot be carried forward. If your credit is larger than your tax liability, the unused portion expires.

  • The 25D credit (for solar and other clean energy) traditionally could be carried forward. However, because the credit is currently scheduled to expire at the end of 2025, it’s uncertain whether unused amounts can be carried into future years. We recommend consulting with your tax advisor.

• For federal tax credits, installers generally don’t need federal certification (audits are the exception).

• For other programs, check your program administrator’s rules.

• Our best advice is to act now! Get three bids, confirm model eligibility, and ask your contractor if they’ll be able to meet the deadline. 

• Be cautious of anyone who pressures you to sign quickly, demands large upfront payments, or promises guaranteed eligibility without documentation — always check references and make sure you’re working with a licensed, reputable contractor.

• There are no federal tax credits for induction or electric stoves.

• However, there may be state, local, or utility incentives, which you can find on our savings calculator.