2026 Home Energy Rebates: What to Do Now That Tax Credits Changed

Why 2026 looks different

If you were planning to “do the upgrade later,” your calendar just got pushier.

IRS guidance indicates the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) and Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D) are not allowed after Dec 31, 2025 under Public Law 119-21 (commonly referenced as OBBB in IRS materials). IRS

What this means in plain English:

• If you finished eligible upgrades in 2025, you may still claim them on your 2025 return.

• In 2026, the smart move is to shift your focus to rebates and utility programs, plus the upgrades that pay back fast.

Tier 1: No-cost and low-cost wins

These are the “stop the bleeding” moves.

Your winter priorities:

• seal obvious gaps around doors and windows

• close off drafts in the places you feel them (entry doors, attic hatch, basement rim areas)

• confirm vents aren’t blocked by furniture or rugs

• use a consistent thermostat schedule instead of constant manual swings

This tier is about comfort first. Comfort is what keeps people from cranking the heat.

Tier 2: Under-$250 upgrades with real payoff

These are small purchases that stop big waste.

• door sweeps and fresh weatherstripping on high-traffic doors

• basic pipe insulation where it’s coldest

• smart plugs or timers for heavy-use devices

• high-quality caulk where moisture and air leaks overlap

Pro tip: pick the one area that feels coldest and fix that first. Your house is a system. Start where it’s screaming.

Tier 3: Contractor work that actually moves the needle

These are the jobs worth quoting, especially if you can batch them with neighbors.

• air sealing + insulation upgrades (attic and rim areas often pay back fast)

• HVAC tuning or replacement decisions when comfort is inconsistent

• duct sealing and airflow fixes

• electrical updates required to support high-efficiency upgrades

If you’re hiring a pro, ask for:

• a clear scope with before/after expectations

• product model numbers where rebates might apply

• a written plan for what gets tested or verified

Rebates that may still exist in 2026

Even with federal credits changed after 2025, state-administered home energy rebate programs tied to the Inflation Reduction Act framework may still be in play depending on where you live.

A national tracker shows Ohio’s Home Energy Rebates applications were approved and the state expected rebates to be available in 2025 (timing varies by state program rollout). National Housing Trust

For homeowners: check your state program status and approved contractors before you plan a major upgrade.

The neighborhood version (Pigybak Ride)

Here’s the cheat code: do the same tier-3 work on the same street. That’s what sets Pigybak apart from Thumbtack.

Why it works

• contractors drive less

• you get faster scheduling

• everyone’s cost per job tends to improve when routes are tight

Great “Ride” jobs in January

• draft sealing and door fixes

• attic insulation quotes

• duct and airflow fixes

• plumbing leak prevention checks

Contractor note: price the drive

IRS raised 2026 mileage to 72.5 cents/mile for business. If you’re not tracking and pricing drive time, you’re subsidizing your customers. IRS