For work completed in 2026 or later, do not count on the federal homeowner energy tax credits described here: the IRS says both the energy-efficient home improvement credit (§25C) and residential clean energy credit (§25D) ended for qualifying new work after December 31, 2025. Some households may still qualify for state-, territory-, or Tribal-administered Home Energy Rebates, but availability, funding, and eligible products depend on where you live. If you completed qualifying work in 2025, you may still be able to claim a credit on your 2025 tax return.
Which upgrades might qualify—and when?
Eligibility depends first on the project date and then on the specific equipment, materials, home, and program rules. The federal amounts below describe potential §25C credits for qualifying property placed in service during 2025; they are not credits for projects placed in service in 2026 or later. The IRS’s 2025 Publication 530 says residential clean energy credits cannot be claimed for expenditures made after December 31, 2025, and energy-efficient home improvement credits cannot be claimed for property placed in service after that date.
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| Upgrade | Potential 2025 federal §25C treatment | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior doors | 30% of costs, up to $250 per door and $500 total | Applicable efficiency requirements and credit limits apply. |
| Exterior windows and skylights | 30% of costs, up to $600 | Windows and skylights had to meet the applicable requirements, including ENERGY STAR Most Efficient certification. |
| Insulation and air-sealing materials or systems | 30% of costs, up to $1,200 | Materials must meet applicable prescriptive criteria. Insulation and air-sealing materials were exceptions to the qualified-manufacturer PIN rule described below. |
| Certain central air conditioners, furnaces, and hot-water boilers | Generally subject to a $600 per-item cap | Only qualifying equipment meeting the applicable technical requirements is covered. |
| Certain natural-gas, propane, or oil water heaters | Generally subject to a $600 per-item cap | Equipment and installation must meet the applicable requirements. |
| Qualifying electric or natural-gas heat pumps and heat-pump water heaters | Not subject to the $600 per-item cap | Other applicable annual limits and technical requirements still apply. |
| Certain biomass stoves or boilers | Not subject to the $600 per-item cap | Other applicable annual limits and requirements still apply. |
| Qualifying electrical work | Potentially eligible when installed with qualifying property | Panelboards, sub-panelboards, branch circuits, or feeders had to enable the qualifying property’s installation and use. |
| Qualifying home energy audit | 30% of cost, up to $150 | The audit had to meet IRS requirements for the home, written report, auditor, and recommended improvements. |
The IRS’s 2025 energy-efficiency home improvement FAQ, updated January 17, 2025, provides these category limits. They are not a promise of a particular tax benefit: category-specific rules and the applicable annual limits matter, so do not add the individual maximums together as though every taxpayer could receive that total.
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§25C: energy-efficient home improvements
The 2025 §25C credit covered qualifying improvements such as doors, windows, insulation, air sealing, certain heating and water-heating equipment, related enabling electrical work, and a qualifying energy audit. It was a nonrefundable personal tax credit: it could reduce tax liability, but it could not produce a refund beyond that liability. The IRS says unused §25C credit cannot be carried forward.
#1 Best Overall
- SAFETY YOU CAN TRUST WITH UL CERTIFICATION: With Emporia Energy, your home energy monitoring is safe, reliable, and certified. The Emporia Vue is UL Listed, meaning it has met rigorous safety standards for electrical products in the U.S. and Canada. This certification ensures that every component has been thoroughly tested to prevent hazards, such as overheating, short-circuiting, or fire, offering you peace of mind as you manage your home’s energy consumption.
- INSTALLS IN CIRCUIT PANEL of most homes with clamp-on sensors. Supports Single phase, Single-split phase, and 2-wire systems. 3-wire systems; 3-phase, 4-wire Wye systems with earthed (TN or TT) neutral (no-Delta) are supported with an additional 200A sensor (sold separately).
- 24/7 ENERGY MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING: Automate, manage and control your home's real power anywhere, anytime to prevent costly repairs, conserve energy, and save costs. Monitor solar / net metering. PROTECTED BY A 1-YEAR WARRANTY.
- LOWER YOUR ELECTRIC BILL: Configure settings in the Emporia Energy App to automate energy management for time of use, peak demand, excess solar, and rewards programs. You can even see live reporting and invaluable savings opportunities instantly. Gauge real-time spending and get actionable notifications and automated energy management to help you reduce costs.
- REAL-TIME ENERGY DATA: REQUIRES 2.4 GHz WIFI WITH AN INTERNET CONNECTION to monitor energy use with iPhone / Android / Web app. Vue sensors collect energy data and are accurate from ±2%. The Vue is UL and CE Listed for your safety. 1 second data is only available in the app (when actively open) and retained 3 hours. Minute and hour data are retained in the cloud. 1 minute data is retained 7 days, 1 hour data is retained indefinitely. Export cloud data whenever you want in the app.
§25D: residential clean energy
For qualifying expenditures made by the end of 2025, IRS materials describe §25D as covering certain residential solar, wind, geothermal, solar water-heating, fuel-cell, and battery-storage expenditures, subject to requirements and timing. This is historical guidance for eligible past expenditures, not an incentive for new 2026 projects. Unlike §25C, Form 5695 instructions provide for a carryforward of unused residential clean energy credit.
State-administered Home Energy Rebates
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) describes two Home Energy Rebates programs. It advertises program-level maximums of up to $8,000 for HOMES and up to $14,000 for HEEHR. Those ceilings are not individual awards; local administrators set implementation details and determine eligibility.
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- ⚡ EASY INSTALLATION: Installs in circuit panel of most homes with clamp-on sensors. Supports single-phase up to 240VAC line-neutral; single, split-phase 120/240VAC; and three-phase up to 415Y/240VAC (no Delta). The branch lines can automatically match different phases and have no restrictions in terms of quantity and voltage.Panels with access only to busbars will need flexible sensors available from SEM-Meter.
- ⚡ ENERGY MONITORING ANYTIME, ANYWHERE: Monitor your home's real power anywhere, anytime to prevent costly repairs, conserve energy, and save costs. Monitor solar / net metering. Light commercial 3 phase option available as a separate bundle. Protected by a 1-year warranty.
- ⚡ VARIOUS ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE MONITORING: Comes with 16 50A sensors to accurately monitor your air conditioner, furnace, water heater, washer, dryer, range, etc.
- ⚡ LOWER YOUR ELECTRIC BILL: SEM-Meter measures real-time spending and gets actionable notifications to understand where savings can be made, both to lower your electric bill and to conserve energy and protect the planet’s resources. Be an environmentalist.
- ⚡ REAL-TIME ENERGY DATA: Connect SEM-Meter device via 2.4GHz WiFi to monitor energy usage, with an accuracy range of 1%. View usage in real time through Android/Apple software. Statistics of power usage in now/day/week/month/year format: the validity period of hourly exported data is 90 days, and the exported data of day/month/year data is permanent, available at any time Export from application.
| Program | What it is designed to support | What to verify locally |
|---|---|---|
| HOMES (Home Owner Managing Energy Savings) | Eligible whole-home energy-saving projects, with rebates based on modeled energy savings. DOE lists upgrades such as insulation, air sealing, heating and cooling equipment, water heaters, appliances, duct sealing, and lighting. | Whether the program is operating in your jurisdiction, whether funds remain, how savings are modeled, and which projects or contractors are eligible. |
| HEEHR (High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate) | Selected efficient electric appliances and building-envelope or enabling work, including insulation, air sealing, ventilation, electric wiring and load-service-center upgrades, electric heating and cooling, and efficient electric appliances. | Whether your household, chosen products, and project meet the local program’s rules and whether applications or funds are still available. |
DOE says Home Energy Rebates are available in select states, territories, or Tribal jurisdictions. A national list cannot establish that a particular local program is accepting applications, has money left, or covers a specific product. Check the DOE Home Energy Rebates status information and your state or territory energy office or Tribal program administrator before committing to a purchase or installation.
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- Identify the tax year or rebate program. If the work was placed in service or the expenditure was made in 2025, consult the applicable IRS Form 5695 instructions for the return year. For new work in 2026 or later, check local rebates instead of treating the ended federal credits as available.
- Confirm the exact item and project conditions. Match the product type, efficiency certification, installation, and any related electrical work to IRS requirements for a 2025 credit or to the local rebate administrator’s current rules. A product category alone does not establish eligibility.
- Ask the local administrator about timing and funds. Confirm that the program is open, that funding remains, whether preapproval is required, and whether the selected contractor or product is accepted. Do this before buying equipment or beginning work.
- Keep a complete record. Save itemized invoices, installation and service dates, product and manufacturer information, and any program approval or audit report. For specified property placed in service on or after January 1, 2025, IRS rules generally required reporting a qualified manufacturer PIN on the return; exceptions included insulation or air-sealing materials and enabling property. Some 2025 property had special QM-code treatment, so check the instructions for the exact item.
- Use the right tax guidance. Form 5695 is used to figure and claim eligible residential energy credits. A rebate label does not by itself determine federal tax treatment: the IRS notes that some state or utility incentives called rebates may not qualify as rebates under federal tax law. Consult current IRS guidance or a qualified tax professional about your circumstances.
What counts as a qualifying home energy audit?
For the 2025 §25C credit, an audit was more than an informal walk-through or a generic online checklist. IRS guidance required an inspection and written report for a U.S. dwelling owned or used by the taxpayer as a principal residence. The report had to identify significant, cost-effective improvements and estimate energy savings, and the audit had to be conducted and prepared by a qualified auditor meeting applicable requirements. Verify those criteria in the IRS FAQ and Form 5695 instructions before claiming the credit.
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- EM16P MODEL & LOCAL CONTROL & DATA PRIVACY: Access your home energy monitor data locally via Built-in Web UI, Open API, and MQTT without relying on cloud services. Unlike cloud-dependent monitors, Refoss ensures your data stays within your home network. Direct local access protects your privacy while giving you 100% full control of your home energy system.
- NATIVE HOME ASSISTANT & OPENCLAW AI: Experience seamless Native Home Assistant integration right out of the box—no firmware flashing or complex coding required. Featuring ✨NEW✨ OpenClaw Support, it enables AI-driven automation for smarter, real-time energy management and seamless smart home control.
- MAXIMIZE SOLAR & ZERO FEED-IN AUTOMATION: Designed for solar homes, the power monitor works with the Refoss app and Home Assistant to automatically use surplus solar power. Appliances like EV chargers, washing machines, and water heaters are powered during midday peaks, maximizing solar self-consumption and reducing low-value electricity feed-in to the grid. Optimizes usage and reduces bills.
- REAL-TIME MONITORING & ±1% ACCURACY: Monitor voltage, current, active power, and power factor of major appliances. Provides ±1% accuracy (200A: 2–200A; 60A: 1–60A) and ±2% at low current. Daily data stored up to 5 years and exportable. With no subscriptions or hidden fees, you get deep historical insights to help you identify every energy-saving opportunity and save 10–20% on monthly bills.
- SMART ALERTS & CIRCUIT-LEVEL CONTROL: Set usage targets for each individual circuit and receive instant alerts when appliances exceed normal consumption. Refoss app supports automation and peak management to optimize schedules, reduce peaks, and improve efficiency. Real-time electricity usage monitor for circuit-level insights.
Small air-sealing purchases are not automatically eligible
Weatherstripping for doors or windows can be part of an air-sealing project, but buying a retail product alone does not prove it qualifies for a tax credit or rebate. For a federal §25C claim, the relevant 2025 rules and material criteria applied, and the credit does not cover property placed in service after December 31, 2025. For a current rebate, the local administrator decides which materials and projects qualify.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Other help for energy upgrades
DOE’s Weatherization Assistance Program works through state and local agencies to help eligible low-income households reduce energy costs and improve home safety and comfort. Eligibility, services, and application routes vary, so use official local agency information to see whether assistance is available. A home energy assessment can also help prioritize improvements before choosing equipment, but it does not guarantee a tax credit or rebate.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- SAFETY YOU CAN TRUST WITH UL CERTIFICATION: With Emporia Energy, your home energy monitoring is safe, reliable, and certified. The Emporia Vue is UL Listed, meaning it has met rigorous safety standards for electrical products in the U.S. and Canada. This certification ensures that every component has been thoroughly tested to prevent hazards, such as overheating, short-circuiting, or fire, offering you peace of mind as you manage your home’s energy consumption.
- INSTALLS IN CIRCUIT PANEL of most homes with clamp-on sensors. Supports Single phase, Single-split phase, and 2-wire systems. 3-wire systems; 3-phase, 4-wire Wye systems with earthed (TN or TT) neutral (no-Delta) are supported with an additional 200A sensor (sold separately).
- 24/7 ENERGY MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING: Automate, manage and control your home's real power anywhere, anytime to prevent costly repairs, conserve energy, and save costs. Monitor solar / net metering. PROTECTED BY A 1-YEAR WARRANTY.
- LOWER YOUR ELECTRIC BILL: Configure settings in the Emporia Energy App to automate energy management for time of use, peak demand, excess solar, and rewards programs. You can even see live reporting and invaluable savings opportunities instantly. Gauge real-time spending and get actionable notifications and automated energy management to help you reduce costs.
- REAL-TIME ENERGY DATA: REQUIRES 2.4 GHz WIFI WITH AN INTERNET CONNECTION to monitor energy use with iPhone / Android / Web app. Vue sensors collect energy data and are accurate from ±2%. The Vue is UL and CE Listed for your safety. 1 second data is only available in the app (when actively open) and retained 3 hours. Minute and hour data are retained in the cloud. 1 minute data is retained 7 days, 1 hour data is retained indefinitely. Export cloud data whenever you want in the app.
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- SAFE & RELIABLE: Meross smart energy consumption monitor is ETL‑certified and compliant with the UL 61010 testing standard, ensuring safe and reliable home energy monitoring. Works with most US homes: single-phase 2-wire systems, single-split phase 3-wire systems, and 3-phase 4-wire Wye systems with earthed (TN or TT) neutral (no Delta). Easy clamp‑on design installs in minutes. Invert CT readings in the app—no physical flipping. PROTECTED BY 2-YEAR WARRANTY for worry-free use.
- TRACK ENERGY & CUT BILLS: Track power, voltage, current, and power factor within ±1% accuracy. Clear power usage and cost charts by minute/hour/day/month/year help you easily understand your energy use. Store up to 5 years of data and export hourly reports for deep analysis. Most users save 10–20% on energy costs by spotting energy hogs and getting accurate insights to cut their bills.
- 24/7 ENERGY MONITORING + SMART ALERTS: Real-time home energy monitoring from anywhere. Set custom alerts for unusual usage spikes and threshold breaches for total peace of mind. Catch issues early with no subscriptions, no cloud lock‑in, and no hidden fees — all built-in. Supports 2 main circuits (200A) + 16 branch circuits (60A), making it perfect for precise, circuit-level energy monitoring.
- MAXIMIZE YOUR SOLAR SAVINGS (HOME ASSISTANT): This solar energy monitor integrates with Home Assistant to detect solar surplus and automatically power EV chargers, water heaters, and other high‑use appliances. Stop wasting solar energy—use it yourself and cut your electricity bill faster. The perfect home energy monitor for solar homes.
- LOCAL DATA, FULL PRIVACY, NO SUBSCRIPTIONS: Connect seamlessly with Home Assistant for advanced energy automation. All energy data stays local—no cloud, no delays, no privacy concerns. Take full control of your home energy, reduce waste, and protect your privacy. Supports Open API and Web Control.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
