26 U.S.C. § 25C
(a) Allowance of credit In the case of an individual, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount equal to 30 percent of the sum of—
(b) Limitations
(4) Doors The credit allowed under this section by reason of subsection (a)(1) with respect to any taxpayer for any taxable year shall not exceed—
(6) Home energy audits
(c) Qualified energy efficiency improvements For purposes of this section—
(1) In general The term “qualified energy efficiency improvements” means any energy efficient building envelope component, if—
(2) Energy efficient building envelope component The term “energy efficient building envelope component” means a building envelope component which meets—
(3) Building envelope component The term “building envelope component” means—
(d) Residential energy property expenditures For purposes of this section—
(1) In general The term “residential energy property expenditures” means expenditures made by the taxpayer for qualified energy property which is—
Such term includes expenditures for labor costs properly allocable to the onsite preparation, assembly, or original installation of the property.
(2) Qualified energy property The term “qualified energy property” means any of the following:
(A) Any of the following which meet or exceed the highest efficiency tier (not including any advanced tier) established by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency which is in effect as of the beginning of the calendar year in which the property is placed in service:
(B) A biomass stove or boiler which—
(C) Any oil furnace or hot water boiler which—
(D) Any improvement to, or replacement of, a panelboard, sub-panelboard, branch circuits, or feeders which—
(iii) is installed in conjunction with—
(3) Eligible fuel For purposes of paragraph (2), the term “eligible fuel” means—
(e) Home energy audits For purposes of this section, the term “home energy audit” means an inspection and written report with respect to a dwelling unit located in the United States and owned or used by the taxpayer as the taxpayer’s principal residence (within the meaning of section 121) which—
(f) Special rules For purposes of this section—
(2) Joint ownership of energy items
(h) Product identification number requirement
(1) In general No credit shall be allowed under subsection (a) with respect to any item of specified property placed in service after , unless—
(3) Qualified manufacturer For purposes of this section, the term “qualified manufacturer” means any manufacturer of specified property which enters into an agreement with the Secretary which provides that such manufacturer will—
(Added Pub. L. 109–58, title XIII, § 1333(a), , 119 Stat. 1026; amended Pub. L. 109–135, title IV, § 412(b), , 119 Stat. 2636; Pub. L. 110–172, § 11(a)(2), , 121 Stat. 2484; Pub. L. 110–343, div. B, title III, § 302(a)–(e), , 122 Stat. 3844, 3845; Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title I, §§ 1103(b)(2)(A), 1121(a)–(e), , 123 Stat. 320, 322–324; Pub. L. 111–312, title VII, § 710(a), (b), , 124 Stat. 3314; Pub. L. 112–240, title IV, § 401(a), , 126 Stat. 2337; Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title I, § 151(a), , 128 Stat. 4021; Pub. L. 114–113, div. Q, title I, § 181(a), (b), , 129 Stat. 3072; Pub. L. 115–123, div. D, title I, § 40401(a), , 132 Stat. 148; Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title IV, § 401(a)(4)–(6), , 132 Stat. 1184; Pub. L. 116–94, div. Q, title I, § 123(a), (b), , 133 Stat. 3231; Pub. L. 116–260, div. EE, title I, §§ 141(a), 148(b)(3), , 134 Stat. 3054, 3055; Pub. L. 117–169, title I, §§ 13301(a)–(f)(3)(A), (g)(1), (h)(1), 13704(b)(1), , 136 Stat. 1941–1946, 2002; Pub. L. 119–21, title VII, § 70505, , 139 Stat. 251.)
The date of the enactment of this subsection, referred to in subsec. (e)(2), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 117–169, which was approved .
2025—Subsec. (d)(2)(C). Pub. L. 119–21, § 70505(b), amended subpar. (C) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (C) read as follows: “Any oil furnace or hot water boiler which—
“(i) is placed in service after , and before , and—
“(I) meets or exceeds 2021 Energy Star efficiency criteria, and
“(II) is rated by the manufacturer for use with fuel blends at least 20 percent of the volume of which consists of an eligible fuel, or
“(ii) is placed in service after , and—
“(I) achieves an annual fuel utilization efficiency rate of not less than 90, and
“(II) is rated by the manufacturer for use with fuel blends at least 50 percent of the volume of which consists of an eligible fuel.”
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 119–21, § 70505(a), which directed amendment of subsec. (h) by substituting “placed in service after ” for “placed in service” and all that followed through “”, was executed to subsec. (i) of this section by making the substitution for “placed in service—
“(1) after , and before , or
“(2) after ”,
to reflect the probable intent of Congress and the redesignation of subsec. (h) as (i) by Pub. L. 117–169, § 13301(g)(1). See 2022 Amendment note below.
2022—Pub. L. 117–169, § 13301(h)(1), substituted “Energy efficient home improvement credit” for “Nonbusiness energy property” in section catchline.
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 117–169, § 13301(b), amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “In the case of an individual, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount equal to the sum of—
“(1) 10 percent of the amount paid or incurred by the taxpayer for qualified energy efficiency improvements installed during such taxable year, and
“(2) the amount of the residential energy property expenditures paid or incurred by the taxpayer during such taxable year.”
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 117–169, § 13301(f)(1), added par. (3).
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 117–169, § 13301(c), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows:
“(1) Lifetime limitation.—The credit allowed under this section with respect to any taxpayer for any taxable year shall not exceed the excess (if any) of $500 over the aggregate credits allowed under this section with respect to such taxpayer for all prior taxable years ending after .
“(2) Windows.—In the case of amounts paid or incurred for components described in subsection (c)(3)(B) by any taxpayer for any taxable year, the credit allowed under this section with respect to such amounts for such year shall not exceed the excess (if any) of $200 over the aggregate credits allowed under this section with respect to such amounts for all prior taxable years ending after .
“(3) Limitation on residential energy property expenditures.—The amount of the credit allowed under this section by reason of subsection (a)(2) shall not exceed—
“(A) $50 for any advanced main air circulating fan,
“(B) $150 for any qualified natural gas, propane, or oil furnace or hot water boiler, and
“(C) $300 for any item of energy-efficient building property.”
Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 117–169, § 13301(f)(2), added par. (6).
Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 117–169, § 13301(d)(1), substituted “meets—” and subpars. (A) to (C) for “meets—” and former subpars. (A) to (C) which read as follows:
“(A) applicable Energy Star program requirements, in the case of a roof or roof products,
“(B) version 6.0 Energy Star program requirements, in the case of an exterior window, a skylight, or an exterior door, and
“(C) the prescriptive criteria for such component established by the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code, as such Code (including supplements) is in effect on the date of the enactment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009, in the case of any other component.”
Subsec. (c)(3)(A). Pub. L. 117–169, § 13301(d)(3), inserted “, including air sealing material or system,” after “material or system”.
Subsec. (c)(3)(D). Pub. L. 117–169, § 13301(d)(2), struck out subpar. (D) which read as follows: “any metal roof or asphalt roof installed on a dwelling unit, but only if such roof has appropriate pigmented coatings or cooling granules which are specifically and primarily designed to reduce the heat gain of such dwelling unit.”
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 117–169, § 13301(e), amended subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (d) related to residential energy property expenditures and defined the terms “residential energy property expenditures”, “qualified energy property” and applicable standards, “energy-efficient building property”, “qualified natural gas, propane, or oil furnace or hot water boiler”, and “advanced main air circulating fan”.
Subsec. (d)(3)(C). Pub. L. 117–169, § 13704(b)(1), added subpar. (C).
Subsecs. (e) to (g). Pub. L. 117–169, § 13301(f)(3)(A), added subsec. (e) and redesignated former subsecs. (e) and (f) as (f) and (g), respectively. Former subsec. (g) redesignated (h).
Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 117–169, § 13301(a), substituted “” for “”.
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 117–169, § 13301(g)(1), added subsec. (h). Former subsec. (h) redesignated (i).
Pub. L. 117–169, § 13301(f)(3)(A), redesignated subsec. (g) as (h).
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 117–169, § 13301(g)(1), redesignated subsec. (h) as (i).
2020—Subsec. (d)(3)(E). Pub. L. 116–260, § 148(b)(3)(A), struck out subpar. (E) which read as follows: “a stove which uses the burning of biomass fuel to heat a dwelling unit located in the United States and used as a residence by the taxpayer, or to heat water for use in such a dwelling unit, and which has a thermal efficiency rating of at least 75 percent.”
Subsec. (d)(6). Pub. L. 116–260, § 148(b)(3)(B), struck out par. (6). Text read as follows: “The term ‘biomass fuel’ means any 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.”
Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 116–260, § 141(a), substituted “” for “”.
2019—Subsec. (d)(3)(A). Pub. L. 116–94, § 123(b)(1), substituted “a Uniform Energy Factor of at least 2.2” for “an energy factor of at least 2.0”.
Subsec. (d)(3)(D). Pub. L. 116–94, § 123(b)(2), substituted “a Uniform Energy Factor” for “an energy factor”.
Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 116–94, § 123(a), substituted “” for “”.
2018—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 115–141, § 401(a)(4), substituted “subsection (c)(3)(B)” for “subsection (c)(2)(B)”.
Subsec. (d)(3)(B). Pub. L. 115–141, § 401(a)(5)(A), substituted comma for period at end.
Subsec. (d)(3)(D). Pub. L. 115–141, § 401(a)(5)(B), substituted “, and” for period at end.
Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 115–141, § 401(a)(6), substituted “2017.” for “2017..”
Pub. L. 115–123 substituted “” for “”.
2015—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 114–113, § 181(b)(1), struck out “which meets the prescriptive criteria for such component established by the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code, as such Code (including supplements) is in effect on the date of the enactment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 (or, in the case of an exterior window, a skylight, an exterior door, a metal roof with appropriate pigmented coatings, or an asphalt roof with appropriate cooling granules, which meet the Energy Star program requirements)” after “envelope component” in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (c)(2) to (4). Pub. L. 114–113, § 181(b)(2), added par. (2) and redesignated former pars. (2) and (3) as (3) and (4), respectively.
Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 114–113, § 181(a), substituted “” for “”.
2014—Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 113–295 substituted “” for “”.
2013—Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 112–240 substituted “” for “”.
2010—Subsecs. (a), (b). Pub. L. 111–312, § 710(b)(1), amended subsecs. (a) and (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsecs. (a) and (b) read as follows:
“(a) Allowance of credit.—In the case of an individual, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount equal to 30 percent of the sum of—
“(1) the amount paid or incurred by the taxpayer during such taxable year for qualified energy efficiency improvements, and
“(2) the amount of the residential energy property expenditures paid or incurred by the taxpayer during such taxable year.
“(b) Limitation.—The aggregate amount of the credits allowed under this section for taxable years beginning in 2009 and 2010 with respect to any taxpayer shall not exceed $1,500.”
Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 111–312, § 710(b)(2)(D)(ii), inserted “an exterior window, a skylight, an exterior door,” after “in the case of” in introductory provisions.
Pub. L. 111–312, § 710(b)(2)(A), in introductory provisions, substituted “2009 International Energy Conservation Code, as such Code (including supplements) is in effect on the date of the enactment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009” for “2000 International Energy Conservation Code, as such Code (including supplements) is in effect on the date of the enactment of this section”.
Subsec. (c)(2)(A). Pub. L. 111–312, § 710(b)(2)(E), struck out “and meets the prescriptive criteria for such material or system established by the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code, as such Code (including supplements) is in effect on the date of the enactment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009” after “on such dwelling unit”.
Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 111–312, § 710(b)(2)(D)(i), struck out par. (4). Text read as follows: “Such term shall not include any component described in subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (2) unless such component is equal to or below a U factor of 0.30 and SHGC of 0.30.”
Subsec. (d)(2)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 111–312, § 710(b)(2)(C)(ii), amended cl. (ii) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (ii) read as follows: “any qualified natural gas furnace, qualified propane furnace, qualified oil furnace, qualified natural gas hot water boiler, qualified propane hot water boiler, or qualified oil hot water boiler, or”.
Subsec. (d)(3)(E). Pub. L. 111–312, § 710(b)(2)(B), struck out “, as measured using a lower heating value” after “75 percent”.
Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 111–312, § 710(b)(2)(C)(i), amended par. (4) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (4) defined the terms “qualified natural gas furnace”, “qualified natural gas hot water boiler”, “qualified propane furnace”, “qualified propane hot water boiler”, “qualified oil furnace”, and “qualified oil hot water boiler”.
Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 111–312, § 710(b)(3), added par. (3).
Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 111–312, § 710(a), substituted “2011” for “2010”.
2009—Subsecs. (a), (b). Pub. L. 111–5, § 1121(a), added subsecs. (a) and (b) and struck out former subsecs. (a) and (b) which related to credit equal to the sum of 10 percent of the amount paid for qualified energy efficiency improvements and the amount of energy property expenditures and provided limits on credits and expenditures.
Subsec. (c)(2)(A). Pub. L. 111–5, § 1121(d)(2), inserted “and meets the prescriptive criteria for such material or system established by the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code, as such Code (including supplements) is in effect on the date of the enactment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009” after “such dwelling unit”.
Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 111–5, § 1121(d)(1), added par. (4).
Subsec. (d)(2)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 111–5, § 1121(c)(2), amended cl. (ii) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (ii) read as follows: “a qualified natural gas, propane, or oil furnace or hot water boiler, or”.
Subsec. (d)(3)(B). Pub. L. 111–5, § 1121(b)(1), amended subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) read as follows: “an electric heat pump which has a heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF) of at least 9, a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) of at least 15, and an energy efficiency ratio (EER) of at least 13,”.
Subsec. (d)(3)(C). Pub. L. 111–5, § 1121(b)(2), substituted “2009” for “2006”.
Subsec. (d)(3)(D). Pub. L. 111–5, § 1121(b)(3), amended subpar. (D) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (D) read as follows: “a natural gas, propane, or oil water heater which has an energy factor of at least 0.80 or a thermal efficiency of at least 90 percent, and”.
Subsec. (d)(3)(E). Pub. L. 111–5, § 1121(b)(4), inserted “, as measured using a lower heating value” after “75 percent”.
Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 111–5, § 1121(c)(1), amended par. (4) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The term ‘qualified natural gas, propane, or oil furnace or hot water boiler’ means a natural gas, propane, or oil furnace or hot water boiler which achieves an annual fuel utilization efficiency rate of not less than 95.”
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 111–5, § 1103(b)(2)(A), substituted “and (8)” for “(8), and (9)”.
Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 111–5, § 1121(e), substituted “” for “”.
2008—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 110–343, § 302(e)(1), in introductory provisions, inserted “, or an asphalt roof with appropriate cooling granules,” before “which meet the Energy Star program requirements”.
Subsec. (c)(2)(D). Pub. L. 110–343, § 302(e)(2), inserted “or asphalt roof” after “metal roof” and “or cooling granules” after “pigmented coatings”.
Subsec. (d)(2)(C). Pub. L. 110–343, § 302(d)(2), amended heading and text of subpar. (C) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (C) related to requirements for standards for central air conditioners, electric heat pumps, and geothermal heat pumps.
Subsec. (d)(3)(C), (D). Pub. L. 110–343, § 302(d)(1), redesignated subpars. (D) and (E) as (C) and (D), respectively, and struck out former subpar. (C) which read as follows: “a geothermal heat pump which—
“(i) in the case of a closed loop product, has an energy efficiency ratio (EER) of at least 14.1 and a heating coefficient of performance (COP) of at least 3.3,
“(ii) in the case of an open loop product, has an energy efficiency ratio (EER) of at least 16.2 and a heating coefficient of performance (COP) of at least 3.6, and
“(iii) in the case of a direct expansion (DX) product, has an energy efficiency ratio (EER) of at least 15 and a heating coefficient of performance (COP) of at least 3.5,”.
Subsec. (d)(3)(E). Pub. L. 110–343, § 302(d)(1), redesignated subpar. (F) as (E). Former subpar. (E) redesignated (D).
Pub. L. 110–343, § 302(c), inserted “or a thermal efficiency of at least 90 percent” after “0.80”.
Subsec. (d)(3)(F). Pub. L. 110–343, § 302(d)(1), redesignated subpar. (F) as (E).
Pub. L. 110–343, § 302(b)(1), added subpar. (F).
Subsec. (d)(6). Pub. L. 110–343, § 302(b)(2), added par. (6).
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 110–343, § 302(a), substituted “placed in service—” for “placed in service after ” and added pars. (1) and (2).
2007—Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 110–172 substituted “part 3280” for “section 3280”.
2005—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 109–135 substituted “subsection (c)(2)(B)” for “subsection (c)(3)(B)”.
Pub. L. 117–169, title I, § 13301(i), , 136 Stat. 1946, provided that:
- “(1) In general.— Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, the amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 1016 and 6213 of this title] shall apply to property placed in service after .
- “(2) Extension of credit.— The amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to property placed in service after .
- “(3) Identification number requirement.— The amendments made by subsection (g) [amending this section and section 6213 of this title] shall apply to property placed in service after .”
Amendment by section 13704(b)(1) of Pub. L. 117–169 applicable to transportation fuel produced after , see section 13704(c) of Pub. L. 117–169, set out as an Effective Date note under section 45Z of this title.
Pub. L. 116–260, div. EE, title I, § 141(b), , 134 Stat. 3054, provided that:
“The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to property placed in service after
December 31, 2020.”
Pub. L. 116–260, div. EE, title I, § 148(c)(2), , 134 Stat. 3056, provided that:
“The amendments made by subsection (b) [amending this section and
section 25D of this title] shall apply to expenditures paid or incurred in taxable years beginning after
December 31, 2020.”
Pub. L. 116–94, div. Q, title I, § 123(c), , 133 Stat. 3231, provided that:
“The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to property placed in service after
December 31, 2017.”
Pub. L. 115–123, div. D, title I, § 40401(b), , 132 Stat. 148, provided that:
“The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to property placed in service after
December 31, 2016.”
Pub. L. 114–113, div. Q, title I, § 181(c), , 129 Stat. 3072, provided that:
- “(1) Extension.— The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to property placed in service after .
- “(2) Modification.— The amendments made by subsection (b) [amending this section] shall apply to property placed in service after .”
Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title I, § 151(b), , 128 Stat. 4021, provided that:
“The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to property placed in service after
December 31, 2013.”
Pub. L. 112–240, title IV, § 401(b), , 126 Stat. 2337, provided that:
“The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to property placed in service after
December 31, 2011.”
Pub. L. 111–312, title VII, § 710(c), , 124 Stat. 3315, provided that:
“The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to property placed in service after
December 31, 2010.”
Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title I, § 1103(c), , 123 Stat. 321, provided that:
- “(1) In general.— Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendment made by this section [amending this section and sections 25D and 48 to 48B of this title] shall apply to periods after , under rules similar to the rules of section 48(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990 []).
- “(2) Conforming amendments.— The amendments made by subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (b)(2) [amending this section and section 25D of this title] shall apply to taxable years beginning after .”
Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title I, § 1121(f), , 123 Stat. 324, provided that:
- “(1) In general.— Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to taxable years beginning after .
- “(2) Efficiency standards.— The amendments made by paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (b) and subsections (c) and (d) shall apply to property placed in service after the date of the enactment of this Act [].”
Pub. L. 110–343, div. B, title III, § 302(f), , 122 Stat. 3845, provided that:
- “(1) In general.— Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made [by] this section [amending this section] shall apply to expenditures made after .
- “(2) Modification of qualified energy efficiency improvements.— The amendments made by subsection (e) [amending this section] shall apply to property placed in service after the date of the enactment of this Act [].”
Pub. L. 109–58, title XIII, § 1333(c), , 119 Stat. 1030, provided that:
“The amendments made by this section [enacting this section and amending
section 1016 of this title] shall apply to property placed in service after
December 31, 2005.”