Energy Efficient Home Improvements Tax Credits: What New England Homeowners Need to Know in 2026
If you made energy efficient home improvements to your Massachusetts, New Hampshire, or Maine home in 2025, there’s important news: the federal 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit expired on December 31, 2025. It is no longer available for work done in 2026.
But if you upgraded your windows, doors, or skylights last year, you may still be able to claim it on your 2025 tax return. Here’s what you need to know.
2026 Credit Amounts for Windows, Doors, and Skylights
For qualifying improvements completed through December 31, 2025, the 25C credit covered 30% of project costs — up to $600 for windows and skylights, and up to $250 per exterior door (with a $500 maximum for doors).
Important: These credit amounts apply only to qualifying improvements installed and put into service by December 31, 2025.
To be eligible, products needed to meet ENERGY STAR Most Efficient criteria along with an ENERGY STAR certification. This is a higher bar, and not every product on the market qualifies.
For 2025 filers, there’s one additional requirement: the Qualified Manufacturer ID Number (QMID). This number was introduced for 2025 claims and must appear on your tax filing. Your contractor should be able to provide it. If you’re unsure whether you have it, reach out before you file.
Coastal Windows & Exteriors installs ENERGY STAR certified products that meet the qualifications for the 25C credit. If we upgraded your home in 2025 and you need information about your project — including product documentation or your QMID — please contact us. We’re happy to provide you with the information you need!
What is Energy Star?
Energy Star is a government-backed program that rates the efficiency of qualified, windows, doors, and skylights:
- Are manufactured by an ENERGY STAR partner.
- Are independently tested, certified, and verified by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC).
- Have NFRC ratings that meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Many homeowners ask us, “How do I choose the right window brand?” At Coastal Windows & Exteriors, we proudly energy efficient windows! Our windows lead the market with the lowest air infiltration rating available. Its triple-pane casement model achieves a U-Factor of 0.16. This is nearly half of the Energy Star Northern Region’s required 0.27.
Our windows earned the Energy Star Partner of the Year for Sustained Excellence four years in a row.
ENERGY STAR Requirements and What to Look For
ENERGY STAR certification is the benchmark for energy efficient window, door, and skylight performance. For homeowners in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine, the Northern Region criteria are the strictest in the country.
Meeting these benchmarks will determine whether or not a tax credit is on the table:
- ENERGY STAR “Most Efficient” designation — This is the highest tier of ENERGY STAR certification and was the required standard for the 25C tax credit. Not every ENERGY STAR-labeled product qualifies. Look for this designation specifically when evaluating windows and doors.
- NFRC certification — All qualifying products must be independently tested and verified through the NFRC certified products program. The NFRC label is your assurance that performance ratings are accurate and third-party verified. It can’t be self-reported by the manufacturer.
- Northern Region U-Factor and SHGC thresholds — A good window in Texas is not the same as a good window in New England. The Northern climate zone carries the strictest ENERGY STAR requirements in the country. Products must meet a U-Factor of 0.27 or below to qualify. It is also far more difficult to achieve a strong U-Factor in a skylight than in a window.
- These standards remain the gold standard in 2026 — Even with the 25C credit expired, ENERGY STAR Most Efficient products deliver measurable energy savings and long-term performance for New England homes. Choosing certified products is still the smartest investment you can make.
Want to know if your windows meet the new ENERGY STAR 7.0 standards? Read more about ENERGY STAR 7.0 requirements
The 25C Tax Credit: What It Was and Why It Ended
The federal 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit expired on December 31, 2025, under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. If you made qualifying upgrades to your home last year, this section will help you understand what the credit covered and how to claim it on your 2025 return.
- What the credit was — The 25C credit allowed homeowners to claim 30% of the cost of qualifying energy efficient home improvements, up to $1,200 annually for most upgrades. Windows and skylights carried a $600 cap, while exterior doors were capped at $250 per door ($500 maximum for doors).
- What it covered — Qualifying improvements included exterior windows, skylights, exterior doors, insulation, air sealing materials, and certain home energy audits. Products needed to meet ENERGY STAR Most Efficient criteria to qualify.
- Why it ended — The credit was extended through 2025 as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. However, it was not renewed beyond December 31, 2025. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act allowed the credit to expire with no credit to replace it.
- Who can still claim it — If you completed qualifying improvements by December 31, 2025, you can still claim the credit on your 2025 tax return, filed in 2026. Use IRS Form 5695 to calculate and apply your credit amount.
- Talk to a tax professional — Tax situations vary, and eligibility depends on factors specific to your return. We always recommend consulting a qualified tax professional for personalized filing guidance. You can also visit the IRS 25C credit page for official documentation.
For full filing details and what’s still available in 2026, read our complete guide: tax credits for energy efficient home improvements
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the December 2025 Deadline
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act ended the 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit effective December 31, 2025. No federal replacement has been enacted as of 2026. New England homeowners can still save significantly on window, door, and roofing upgrades through Coastal Windows & Exteriors’ seasonal promotional deals. Financing up to 20 years is available based on credit approval.
Filing Your 2025 Taxes: How to Claim Credits for Improvements Made Before the Deadline
If you made qualifying energy efficient improvements before December 31, 2025, you can still claim the 25C credit on your 2025 federal tax return. Here’s what you need to know before you file.
- You’re still eligible — The expiration of the 25C credit applies to improvements made in 2026 and beyond. Qualifying work completed and put into service by December 31, 2025 remains fully eligible for the credit on your 2025 return.
- Use IRS Form 5695 — File your claim using IRS Form 5695 (Residential Energy Credits). This form walks you through calculating your credit amount based on what you spent and what you installed.
- Gather your documentation — You’ll need proof of installation date and receipts for qualifying products. You’ll also need NFRC product documentation showing your windows, doors, or skylights meet ENERGY STAR Most Efficient criteria.
- Your QMID is required — The Qualified Manufacturer ID Number (QMID) must appear on your 2025 return. If you worked with Coastal Windows & Exteriors and need this information, contact us and we’ll get it to you.
- Work with a tax professional — We can provide the manufacturer documentation you need, but we can’t provide tax advice. A qualified tax professional can confirm your eligibility and make sure you’re claiming every dollar you’re entitled to. You can also find official guidance on the IRS 25C credit page.
Have questions about your energy efficient windows MA installation? Call us and we’ll provide the manufacturer documentation you need to file.
IRS Form 5695 and QMID Requirements for 2025
IRS Form 5695 is the filing tool for residential energy credits. For 2025 claims, a new Qualified Manufacturer ID Number (QMID) requirement applies.
- Form 5695 — This is the IRS form you use to calculate and claim residential energy credits, including the 25C credit for qualifying windows, doors, and skylights installed in 2025.
- The QMID requirement — For 2025 claims, homeowners must include the Qualified Manufacturer ID Number from their product manufacturer. Your contractor provides this — it’s not something you need to track down yourself.
- Documentation to have ready — Pull together your installation receipts, NFRC product certification, and proof of installation date before you sit down with your tax preparer.
- CWE can help — If Coastal Windows & Exteriors upgraded your home in 2025, contact us and we’ll provide your manufacturer documentation upon request.
The QMID is a simple number — your CWE paperwork includes it, and your tax preparer does the rest.
Learn more about energy efficient replacement windows
Energy Efficient Windows: Why They Save Money Even Without Tax Credits
Energy efficient windows deliver real, measurable savings on your utility bills. With heating costs among the highest in the nation, upgrading your windows is one of the smartest investments you can make in your home.
- Utility bill savings — Upgrading from single to triple pane windows can save you over $500 per year on energy bills. That adds up quickly, with or without a federal tax credit.
- U-Factor performance — A window with a U-Factor of 0.27 or lower meets ENERGY STAR 7.0 requirements for the Northern Region. The lower the U-Factor, the less heat escapes — and the more you save every winter.
- New England energy costs — New England homeowners typically see faster payback on energy efficient window upgrades. That’s because heating costs here rank among the highest in the country! The Northern Region carries the strictest ENERGY STAR parameters for exactly this reason.
- Mass Save rebates — Even without the federal tax credit, Mass Save rebates may be available for qualifying window upgrades in Massachusetts. Save $75 per window when you upgrade your single-pane windows to ENERGY STAR® Most Efficient certified windows.
Ready to lower your energy bills? Schedule your free window estimate this spring — and ask about financing up to 20 years.
Energy Efficient Roofing and Siding: Building Envelope Solutions
Your roof and siding work alongside your windows to form the building envelope that keeps conditioned air in and harsh New England weather out. Even without a federal tax credit driving the decision, the ROI on energy efficient roofing and siding upgrades remains strong.
- Roofing and the 25C credit (2025 filers) — Qualifying metal or reflective roofs may have been eligible for the 25C credit through December 31, 2025. If you replaced your roof last year, confirm eligibility with a tax professional before you file.
- Insulated vinyl siding — While siding was not eligible for the federal 25C credit, insulated vinyl siding improves your home’s thermal envelope and reduces heating and cooling costs year-round.
- James Hardie fiber cement — James Hardie fiber cement siding installed with a weather barrier also improves thermal performance, adding an extra layer of protection against New England’s freeze-thaw cycles.
- The building envelope approach — The biggest energy savings come when roofing, siding, and windows work together. Upgrading one while leaving the others unaddressed limits your results. A full building envelope assessment helps you prioritize where to invest first.
Thinking about a new roof or siding this spring? Get your free estimate from Coastal Windows & Exteriors — we’ll help you find the most energy efficient siding options and roofing solutions for your home and budget.
Why CWE Is the Right Choice for Energy Efficient Upgrades
When it comes to energy efficient windows in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine, credentials matter. Coastal Windows & Exteriors brings together GAF Master Elite certification, ENERGY STAR partnership, and James Hardie Elite Preferred status — making us one of the most credentialed exterior remodeling contractors in New England.
- GAF Master Elite Roofing Contractor — Less than 2% of roofing contractors in the country earn GAF Master Elite status. This certification means your roof installation meets the highest standards for workmanship and warranty protection.
- James Hardie Preferred Contractor — Coastal Windows & Exteriors is a James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor, James Hardie Presidents Club Award Winner, and Vinyl Siding Institute Certified Installer. We install fiber cement and vinyl siding to manufacturer specifications . Our goal is to protect your home’s thermal envelope and your warranty!
- ENERGY STAR Certified Partner — As an ENERGY STAR Certified Partner, we install windows and doors that meet the Northern Region’s strictest energy efficiency standards. Every product we recommend is independently verified for performance.
- #1 Woman-Owned Exterior Remodeling Contractor in New England — Coastal Windows & Exteriors holds the #1 ranking for woman-owned exterior remodeling contractors in New England on Qualified Remodeler’s HIP 200 List!
- Factory-trained installers across 730+ towns — Our factory-trained installers ensure your energy efficient upgrades are installed correctly — because even the best window performs poorly with a bad installation. We serve 730+ towns across MA, NH, and ME.
Ready to work with New England’s most trusted exterior contractor? Schedule your free consultation today.
Save Money Now with CWE Financing Options on Energy Efficient Roofing, Siding, Windows and Doors
Now that the federal tax credit is no longer available for 2026 improvements, CWE’s financing options can help bridge the gap:
- Financing up to 20 years — Based on credit approval, extended financing terms keep monthly payments manageable and make energy efficient upgrades accessible without the tax credit offset.
- Affordable monthly payments — Spreading your investment over time means you start saving on energy bills right away — often before you’ve finished paying for the upgrade.
- Seasonal promotion — This spring, Coastal Windows & Exteriors is offering 50% off installation on windows, roofing, siding, and doors. Seasonal incentives like this replace the urgency the tax credit previously created.
- Easy to ask about — Just mention financing when you schedule your free estimate and we’ll walk you through current offers and find a payment plan that works for your budget.
Ask about our current financing options when you schedule your free estimate!
