Is There Still a Window Tax Credit in 2026? What Ohio Homeowners Should Know

Updated October 2026 · About 7 minutes to read

Short answer: no. The federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit, usually called the 25C credit, does not cover replacement windows installed in 2026. The IRS describes the credit as available for improvements made through December 31, 2025, and federal law signed in July 2025 (Public Law 119-21) ended it for property placed in service after that date. There is no replacement federal window credit.

That is worth knowing before you sit down with a window salesperson, because plenty of national websites, brochures and old sales scripts still talk about windows that "qualify for the tax credit." For a Dayton homeowner replacing windows this year or next, that money is not on the table. This guide explains what changed, what the rebate picture looks like with AES Ohio and CenterPoint, and the honest ways to keep a window project affordable.

What was the 25C window credit?

From 2023 through 2025, 25C let homeowners claim a credit for certain energy improvements to a main home. For windows and skylights, the IRS capped the credit at $600 for the year, and the windows had to meet ENERGY STAR Most Efficient criteria. Not every "energy-efficient" window met that bar, which already made the credit narrower than many ads suggested.

Why the credit ended for 2026 installs

The 25C credit was originally scheduled to run longer. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21, signed July 4, 2025) moved the end date up, so no credit is available for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. The key word is placed in service, which generally means installed, not ordered or paid for. Signing a contract in late 2025 does not carry a credit forward to windows installed in 2026.

Source: IRS; Public Law 119-21.

Are there AES Ohio or CenterPoint rebates for windows?

Not that we could find. The research behind this site turned up no window rebate from either Dayton-area utility:

• AES Ohio (electric). Ohio's House Bill 6 ended mandated utility energy-efficiency programs on December 31, 2020. AES Ohio says it is evaluating whether to continue programs in the future. We found no current window rebate.
• CenterPoint Energy Ohio (gas). CenterPoint's Ohio page says that, following a PUCO order, it is currently unable to offer energy-efficiency rebates to Ohio customers. It does list an income-qualified Home Weatherization Program run with Miami Valley Community Action Partnership.
• Weatherization assistance. Income-qualified weatherization programs generally focus on sealing and weatherstripping, not buying new windows. If you think you may qualify, contact the program directly to ask what it covers.

Programs change, so it is fair to call your utility and ask. Just be skeptical of any salesperson who tells you a utility will pay part of your window bill without showing you the program in writing.

Are replacement windows tax deductible?

For a primary home, replacement windows are generally treated as a personal home improvement, not a deductible expense. Improvements may matter for your cost basis when you eventually sell, and rental or business property has its own rules. Those are questions for a tax professional, not a window installer and not this website.

Honest ways to save on window replacement in Dayton

Without a credit or rebate, the savings come from planning the job well. None of these require anyone to stretch the truth.

1. Replace the windows that need it most

   Rotted sills, failed seals and windows that will not open or lock are the priority. A sound window with good glass can often wait. See signs you need new windows for a quick checklist.

2. Phase the work by side of the house

   Many homeowners do the north and west elevations first, where winter wind hits hardest, and finish the rest later. Ask installers how pricing changes if you split the job.

3. Keep styles and sizes simple

   Standard double-hung units in existing openings usually cost less than custom shapes or new openings. Fixr lists double-hung at $300–$1,000 per unit versus $700–$1,500 for sliders (Jan 2026).

4. Consider repair or storm windows where they fit

   Original wood sashes in good shape can sometimes be repaired and paired with storm windows for far less than replacement. Our storm windows vs replacement guide compares the two.

5. Get more than one written quote

   Quotes for the same house can differ a lot. Comparing at least two or three side by side is the most reliable way to avoid overpaying. Here is how to compare window replacement quotes.

Do energy-efficient windows still make sense without the credit?

Often, yes, because the credit was a one-time bonus while energy and comfort benefits last as long as the windows do. Dayton sits in IECC Climate Zone 5A and averages about 5,149 heating degree days a year, with roughly 110 nights at or below freezing (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). In that climate, a lower U-factor makes a noticeable difference in drafts and cold glass. ENERGY STAR estimates, as cited by EcoWatch, put typical savings at $236–$319 a year when replacing single-pane windows and $87–$126 a year when replacing older double-pane units. Your results depend on your house, your heating system and the windows you choose.

Ohio falls largely in ENERGY STAR's Northern climate zone, but check the label on any window you are quoted to see which zones it is rated for. Our energy-efficient windows page explains U-factor and SHGC in plain terms.

What does window replacement cost in Dayton without the credit?

Published ranges give a useful starting point. Modernize (Aug 2026) puts an energy-efficient vinyl window in Dayton at about $650–$1,100 installed. EcoWatch (Jan 2025) lists Dayton at $250–$1,200 per window with an average around $600. Fixr's national average is $800 per window (Jan 2026). These are typical published ranges, not quotes, and Dayton installers' quotes vary with size, material, access and whether lead-safe work practices are needed on a pre-1978 home. The full breakdown, with a calculator, is on our window replacement cost in Dayton page.

Red flags around tax credit talk

• A quote or ad that still promises a federal window credit for a 2026 install.
• "Buy now before the credit goes away" pressure. It already went away for windows.
• Claims of a utility rebate with no program name, link or form.
• Pressure to sign the same day. If you sign at home, Ohio law (ORC 1345.22) and the FTC Cooling-Off Rule generally give you until midnight of the third business day to cancel in writing.

When you are ready to price the project, the free quote form takes a few minutes. Independent local window companies reply with quotes, and there is no obligation to hire any of them.

Questions people ask