frequent ask questions

The following expenses are included:

• Solar PV panels or PV cells (including those used to power an attic fan, but not the fan itself)
• Contractor labor costs for onsite preparation, assembly, or original installation, including permitting fees, inspection costs, and developer fees
• Balance-of-system equipment, including wiring, inverters, and mounting equipment
• Energy storage devices that have a capacity rating of 3 kilowatt-hours (kWh) or greater (for systems installed after December 31, 2022). If the storage is installed in a subsequent tax year to when the solar energy system is installed it is still eligible, however, the energy storage devices are still subject to the installation date requirements).

You might be eligible for this tax credit if you meet the following criteria:

• Your solar PV system was installed between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2034. 
• The solar PV system is located at a residence of yours in the United States. 

A home energy audit means an inspection and written report with respect to a principal residence which:

Identifies the most significant and cost-effective energy efficiency improvements with respect to the residence, including an estimate of the energy and cost savings with respect to each such improvement, and is conducted and prepared by a certified home energy auditor Under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, federal income tax credits for energy efficiency home improvements will be available through 2032. 

A broad selection of ENERGY STAR certified equipment is eligible for the tax credits.  Independently certified to save energy. ENERGY STAR products are a smart investment for energy efficiency you can count on.  Replacing old, drafty windows with ENERGY STAR certified windows lowers household energy bills by an average of 12 percent. Further, low-emissivity, or low-e glass coatings on many ENERGY STAR certified windows also reduce UV sun damage to floors, carpets, and furniture. Taking advantage of tax credits, along with any available rebates, is a good way to help make the transition to a clean energy future more affordable.  Most of the six elements of an ENERGY STAR Home Upgrade are covered.

Energy efficiency retrofits with weatherization improvements are available to certain eligible customers. Qualifying customers must meet additional criteria, including but not limited to household income eligibility requirements.

• Energy efficiency retrofits with weatherization improvements can reduce energy waste by up to 20%, lowering your energy costs and saving you money. Weatherization improvements typically include insulating and air sealing your attic and walls, and sealing air leaks in your ducts.
  
• Experience better indoor air quality and enhance the comfort of your home by keeping your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
  
• A qualifying Energy Efficiency Service Provider or Community Action Agency will complete the work.

Questions? View the Home Energy Savings FAQs for more information.