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TL;DR — Are window and door tax credits still available in 2026?
The federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit is no longer available for windows or exterior doors placed in service after December 31, 2025. A qualifying project completed in 2025 may still be claimed on the 2025 tax return filed in 2026. ENERGY STAR ratings still matter for performance and may support other incentives, but Colorado homeowners should confirm every state, utility, or local program before purchasing.
Key takeaways
- The former federal window and door credit does not apply to products installed in 2026.
- A qualifying installation completed by December 31, 2025, may still be claimed when filing 2025 taxes.
- ENERGY STAR certification does not create a federal tax credit for a 2026 installation.
- ENERGY STAR and NFRC ratings still help us compare products for Colorado conditions.
- Colorado incentives vary by location, home type, household income, utility provider, and project scope.
- Some programs require an assessment or approval before products are purchased or installed.
Are window and door tax credits still available in 2026?
Joshua here, owner of Modern Windows and Doors. The federal tax credit previously available for qualifying windows and exterior doors is no longer available for products placed in service in 2026.
If your qualifying project was completed by December 31, 2025, you may still be able to claim the credit on the 2025 tax return you file in 2026. Other incentives may be available through Colorado, a utility provider, or a local program, but eligibility should be confirmed before it is included in your project budget.
What changed after the federal tax-credit deadline?
The federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit under Section 25C ended for qualifying property placed in service after December 31, 2025. The IRS explains that the credit is not allowed for property installed after that date.
Under the former rules, exterior windows and skylights had a combined limit of $600. Exterior doors had a limit of $250 per door and $500 total. Those amounts describe the 2025 credit and should not be treated as incentives for a 2026 installation.
Can a 2025 installation still be claimed in 2026?
A qualifying window or door installed by December 31, 2025, may still be claimed on the homeowner’s 2025 tax return. The IRS bases the timing on when the improvement was placed in service, not simply when it was ordered or when a deposit was paid.
Homeowners claiming a 2025 credit should retain invoices, model information, manufacturer documentation, performance labels, and any required manufacturer identification information. We can keep product and proposal details clear, but a qualified tax professional should determine eligibility.
Why does ENERGY STAR still matter after the credit expired?
ENERGY STAR certification no longer creates a federal window or door tax credit for a 2026 installation, but it still provides useful performance guidance. It may also be required by a state, utility, or local incentive program.
ENERGY STAR evaluates residential windows, doors, and skylights using climate-zone criteria. Windows and doors must meet applicable U-factor and, where relevant, solar heat gain coefficient requirements. Doors are also evaluated according to how much glass they contain.
The NFRC label helps us verify the exact product configuration. U-factor measures resistance to heat loss, while solar heat gain coefficient, or SHGC, indicates how much solar heat passes through the glass. In Colorado, altitude, orientation, wind, shade, glass area, and room use should all shape the recommendation.
Certification is only part of the result. Even a well-rated window or door depends on exact measurements, a properly prepared opening, correct flashing, perimeter insulation, careful sealing, and installation that follows the manufacturer’s requirements.
If you are coordinating several openings, our guide to whether you should replace all your windows at once or in phases can help you build the broader replacement plan.
Are Colorado window and door rebates available in 2026?
As of August 2026, Colorado does not provide one universal rebate that automatically covers standard window or door replacement for every single-family homeowner. State programs are structured around specific improvements, household qualifications, home types, and expected energy savings.
The Colorado Home Energy Rebate Program is being introduced in stages. Its Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates program supports specified electric appliances and related improvements, but windows and doors are not listed as standalone upgrades.
The Home Efficiency Rebates program supports modeled whole-home improvements for certain property types. Current guidance describes opportunities for manufactured or mobile homes and large multifamily buildings, with eligibility based on factors such as income and expected energy savings.
Homeowners should not assume a standard replacement project qualifies without written confirmation. Some programs require a registered contractor, home assessment, and approval before installation begins.
Where else can Colorado homeowners look for incentives?
Utility, county, and municipal programs may offer assistance, but options vary by address. Some focus on weatherization, air sealing, insulation, or income-qualified improvements rather than replacement windows and doors.
We recommend checking:
- Your electric and natural-gas providers.
- The Colorado Energy Savings Navigator, which screens households for utility assistance and energy-equipment programs.
- The ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder using your ZIP code.
- Your county or municipality’s sustainability and weatherization resources.
- Income-qualified weatherization programs when applicable.
A rebate is different from financing. Financing or on-bill repayment may spread payments over time, but it does not reduce the project price.
What should you verify before purchasing windows or doors?
Confirm the incentive and product requirements before signing a contract or beginning installation. Programs may have deadlines, limited funding, approved products, contractor requirements, or rules against retroactive applications.
Use this checklist before relying on an incentive:
- Enter your project address or ZIP code in the official program tool.
- Confirm your utility provider and whether income, occupancy, or home type affects eligibility.
- Verify that windows or doors are specifically covered.
- Record the exact product line, ENERGY STAR status, climate zone, and NFRC ratings.
- Ask whether preapproval, an assessment, or a registered contractor is required.
- Confirm purchase, installation, invoice, and application deadlines.
- Determine which costs qualify and whether incentives can be combined.
- Save written approval, specifications, invoices, and performance labels.
We keep product specifications and proposal details clear so you can evaluate the full project with confidence, whether or not an outside incentive applies.
Frequently asked questions about 2026 window and door incentives
Does an ENERGY STAR window qualify for a federal tax credit in 2026?
No. ENERGY STAR certification may confirm performance or support eligibility for another program, but it does not create a federal Section 25C credit for a window installed in 2026.
Does paying a deposit in 2025 preserve the former credit?
Paying a deposit in 2025 does not generally make a product installed in 2026 eligible. The deadline applies to when the qualifying property was placed in service.
Can utility and state rebates be combined?
Sometimes, but each program sets its own rules. Confirm whether incentives can be combined, which approval comes first, and how one rebate affects the costs eligible under another program.
Plan Your Project With Confidence
The former federal window and door tax credit is not available for products placed in service in 2026. ENERGY STAR and NFRC ratings still help us compare performance for Colorado homes, and they may matter for other incentive programs. State, utility, and local options should always be verified by address before ordering.
We help you compare performance ratings, understand the products included in your project, and plan a custom-fit installation around your home. Get a clear proposal for your replacement project with exact measurements, thoughtful recommendations, and transparent scope details.
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