Solar & Battery Regulation & Incentive Programs

Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit

Program Overview


Category:
Financial Incentive
Program Type:
Personal Tax Credit
Implementing Sector:
Federal
State:
Federal
Eligible Storage Technologies:
Water Heaters, Furnaces, Boilers, Heat pumps, Air conditioners, Building Insulation, Windows, Roofs
Website:
http://www.energystar.gov/taxcredits
Incentive Amount:
Purchases made in 2018: not eligible
Purchases made in 2011 - 2017: Varies (see below)
Maximum Incentive:
For purchases made in 2011 - 2017: Aggregate amount of credit is limited to $500. Taxpayer is ineligible for this tax credit if this credit has already been claimed by the taxpayer in an amount of $500 in any previous year.

For purchases made in 2009 or 2010: Aggregate amount of credit for all technologies placed in service in 2009 and 2010 combined is limited to $1,500
Equipment Requirements:
Equipment must be new and in compliance with all applicable performance and safety standards as described in tax code
Administrator:
U.S. Internal Revenue Service
Applicable Sectors:
Residential
Start Date:
01/01/2006
Expiration Date:
12/31/2017
Last Updated:
02/28/2018

Summary

Note: The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 reinstated this tax credit for purchases made in 2017. Any qualified equipment installed prior to January 1, 2018 is eligible for this credit. Equipment installed on or after January 1, 2018 is not eligible for this credit.     

This credit applies to energy efficiency improvements in the building envelope of existing homes and for the purchase of high-efficiency heating, cooling and water-heating equipment. Efficiency improvements or equipment must serve a dwelling in the United States that is owned and used by the taxpayer as a primary residence. The maximum tax credit for all improvements made in 2011 - 2016 is $500. The cap includes tax credits for any improvements made in any previous year. If a taxpayer claimed $500 or more of these tax credits in any previous year, any purchases made in 2011 - 2017 will be ineligible for a tax credit.

Building Envelope Improvements
Owners of existing homes may receive a tax credit worth 10% of the cost of upgrading the efficiency of the building's envelope. Installation (labor) costs are not included and the credit is capped at $500 for all improvements. To be eligible for the credit, the improvement must meet the prescriptive requirements established for it under the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (including supplements). The following improvements are eligible for the tax credit:

  • Insulation materials and systems designed to reduce a home's heat loss or gain
  • Exterior doors and windows (including skylights) --- no more than $200 in total credits can be claimed for windows in years 2006 - 2016 Equipment must meet version 6.0 Energy Star program requirements.
  • Pigmented metal roofs designed to reduce heat gain, and asphalt roofs with appropriate cooling granules, which are Energy Star certified.


Heating, Cooling and Water-Heating Equipment
Taxpayers who purchase qualified residential energy-efficient property may be eligible for a tax credit. The credit is equal to the full cost of the equipment up to the following caps:

  • Advanced main air circulating fan: $50
  • Natural gas, propane, or oil furnace or hot water boiler with an annual fuel utilization rate of 95 or greater: $150
  • Electric heat pump water heater with an energy factor of at least 2.0: $300
  • Electric heat pump which achieves the highest efficiency tier established by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency: $300
  • Central air conditioner which achieves the highest efficiency tier established by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency: $300
  • Natural gas, propane, or oil water heater which has either an energy factor of at least 0.82 or a thermal efficiency of at least 90 percent: $300
  • Biomass stoves that use "plant-derived fuel available on a renewable or recurring basis, including agricultural crops and trees, wood and wood waste and residues (including wood pellets), plants (including aquatic plants), grasses, residues, and fibers". Systems must have a thermal efficiency rating of at least 75 percent to qualify: $300



Background
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 established the tax credit for energy improvements to existing homes. The credit was originally limited to purchases made in 2006 and 2007, with an aggregate cap of $500 for all qualifying purchases made in these two years combined. There were also separate individual caps for the different equipment types. The Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 (H.R. 1424: Div. B, Sec. 302) of 2008 reinstated the credit for 2009 purchases and made other minor adjustments. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 further extended the credit to include improvements made in 2010 and replaced the $500 aggregate cap with a $1,500 aggregate cap for improvements made in 2009 and 2010. This credit has since been renewed several times, but the credit was reduced to its original form and original cap of $500.

Geothermal heat pumps were originally eligible for this credit, with a $300 cap. However, geothermal heat pumps are now eligible for the residential renewable energy tax credit, with no cap.


Authorities

NameEnacted DateEffective DateExpired Date
26 USC § 25C8/8/2005 (subsequently amended)1/1/200612/31/2017
H.R. 1892 (Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018)02/09/2018
IRS Form 5695: Residential Energy Credits
Instructions for IRS Form 5695: Residential Energy Credits