What's Available — and What Isn't
The landscape shifted significantly in 2026. The federal credit that many contractors were quoting is gone. California's HEEHRA rebate fund is exhausted in SoCal. What remains are utility-level programs — real money, but you need to know which one applies to your home based on your utility provider.
| Program | Who Qualifies | Window Benefit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal 25C Tax Credit | Any homeowner | Up to $600 | ● Expired 12/31/25 |
| HEEHRA / CA Energy Smart Homes | Income-qualified (SoCal) | Up to $14,000 | ● Waitlist Only |
| LADWP Rebates | LADWP electric customers | Varies by upgrade | ● Active |
| SCE Energy Savings Assistance | Income-qualified SCE customers | Free weatherization | ● Active |
| SoCalGas Rebates | SoCalGas customers | Weatherization incentives | ● Active (first-come) |
| SDG&E Programs | SDG&E customers (San Diego) | Weatherization & ESA | ● Active |
| LIHEAP Weatherization | Income ≤ 60% State Median | Free upgrades (up to $25K) | ● Active |
Federal Energy Tax Credits
The 25C credit allowed homeowners to claim 30% of the cost of qualifying energy-efficient improvements — including windows, doors, insulation, and HVAC upgrades — up to a combined $3,200 annual cap ($600 specifically for windows and skylights). It was part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and was originally scheduled to run through 2032.
Congress ended it a decade early via the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed in 2025. The credit applies only to equipment placed in service on or before December 31, 2025. Windows installed in 2026 do not qualify — period.
- If you installed qualifying windows before Dec 31, 2025, you can still claim this on your 2025 tax return.
- 2026 window installations: no federal credit available.
- Focus instead on utility rebate programs listed below.
California Energy Commission Programs
California's HEEHRA program (Home Energy Efficiency Rebates for Home Retrofits Act) was funded by the federal Inflation Reduction Act. It offered significant rebates for heat pumps, electric panels, insulation, and related upgrades for income-qualified homeowners — up to $14,000 total per household.
As of February 24, 2026, all single-family home retrofit reservations are exhausted statewide. Southern California and Central California allocations are fully committed. The California Energy Commission is maintaining a waitlist, but no new approvals are being processed unless current reservations expire.
- Income qualification required (100% area median income or below for full rebates)
- Windows must meet ENERGY STAR requirements for California's climate zone
- Installation by a qualified contractor required
LADWP Rebates
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power customers have access to several active rebate programs. LADWP is currently best known for its substantial heat pump rebates ($2,500/ton, up to $10,000 total), but its broader energy efficiency portfolio includes weatherization-related programs that can apply to window upgrades.
LADWP's residential programs cover a range of energy-efficient upgrades. Window and weatherization rebates vary by program year — confirm current amounts directly with LADWP, as they update allocations annually. Income-qualified customers can access enhanced programs with higher rebate amounts.
- Must be a current LADWP electric customer in good standing
- Windows must be ENERGY STAR certified for California climate zone
- Installation by a licensed California contractor
- Stacks well with SoCalGas rebates if you have gas service
SCE Energy Programs
SCE's Energy Savings Assistance Program provides no-cost energy-efficiency upgrades to income-qualified customers. Services can include weatherstripping, caulking, air sealing, minor window repairs, insulation, and appliance upgrades. This is administered by SCE but funded through California's utility efficiency surcharge — there's no annual budget cap the way there was with HEEHRA.
- Must qualify under CARE income guidelines (roughly 200% of federal poverty level)
- Home must be at least 5 years old
- Available to both renters and homeowners
- Window repairs covered, but full replacement eligibility varies by audit
SCE periodically runs discount programs where contractors receive reduced pricing on qualifying energy-efficient equipment, passing savings to customers. These programs change year to year and depend on available utility efficiency funds. Ask your window contractor if they participate in any SCE discount programs before you sign a contract.
View SCE rebates & savings →SoCalGas Rebates & Incentives
SoCalGas offers weatherization incentives for customers replacing or upgrading energy-related home systems. Program funds are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis until December 31, 2026 — or until budget runs out, whichever comes first. Programs in past years have closed before year-end when funds were exhausted.
For window-related savings, the most relevant SoCalGas programs involve insulation, air sealing, and weatherstripping that complement window replacement. Confirm current window-specific rebate availability directly with SoCalGas when you start your project.
- Must be a SoCalGas customer in their service territory
- Start the application before your project begins — pre-approval required for most programs
- Keep all receipts and manufacturer ENERGY STAR documentation
SDG&E Programs — San Diego Area
San Diego Gas & Electric offers two main pathways for homeowners: the Energy Savings Assistance Whole Home Program for income-qualified customers, and the Golden State Rebates program for standard customers. The Whole Home Program can cover upgrades valued at up to $25,000 at zero cost for qualifying households, including weatherstripping, air sealing, and potentially window-related improvements.
- Must be SDG&E utility customer
- Income qualification required for Whole Home Program
- Golden State Rebates available at goldenstaterebates.clearesult.com for standard customers
Free Weatherization Programs
If your household income is at or below certain thresholds, you may qualify for completely free energy-efficiency improvements — including window-related weatherization. These programs are funded through utility surcharges and federal LIHEAP funds, not IRA money, so they weren't affected by the budget changes that hit HEEHRA.
LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) includes a weatherization component that can cover insulation, air sealing, weatherstripping, and window upgrades for qualifying households. In California, it's administered at the county level through local community action agencies.
- Household gross income at or below 60% of California State Median Income
- Both renters and homeowners qualify
- Contact your county's community action agency to apply
- In LA County, contact Community Services and Development at csd.ca.gov
- In San Diego, contact CARES at 2-1-1 San Diego
All four major California investor-owned utilities (SCE, PG&E, SDG&E, SoCalGas) offer Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) programs that provide free weatherization services to income-qualifying customers. Services vary by utility but typically include attic insulation, weatherstripping, caulking, minor window repairs, and energy-efficient appliance replacements.
- Income at or below 200% of federal poverty level (roughly $62,400 for a family of 4 in 2026)
- Contact your specific utility to apply
- These programs have no annual budget cap — they run as an ongoing utility obligation
California Title 24 — 2026 Requirements
Title 24 is California's building energy efficiency standard. As of January 1, 2026, the updated code has stricter requirements for replacement windows. This matters for two reasons: windows that don't meet code can fail inspection during major remodels or home resale, and ENERGY STAR compliance (required for Title 24) is also required for most rebate programs.
2026 Title 24 Window Requirements (Southern California Climate Zones 6–10)
Replacement windows must meet these minimum performance specs to comply with California's 2026 energy code:
| Metric | Required Value | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| U-Factor | ≤ 0.30 | Measures heat transfer — lower is better. Requires double-pane with low-e coating. |
| SHGC | ≤ 0.25 (SoCal) | Solar heat gain coefficient — how much sun heat passes through. Critical for cooling costs in Southern California. |
| Air Leakage | ≤ 0.3 cfm/ft² | How much air infiltration is allowed around the frame. |
⚡ What this means practically: Single-pane windows cannot meet these specs. Any qualifying replacement window for a rebate program must be double-pane with a low-e coating. Standard vinyl double-pane windows from Milgard, PGT, or similar manufacturers typically meet these requirements out of the box — always confirm the NFRC label before purchase.
Calculate Your After-Rebate Cost
Enter your project details to see what utility rebates could reduce your out-of-pocket cost. Amounts are estimates based on typical program values — verify with your utility before starting.
Note: Rebate amounts change. Always get written pre-approval from your utility before starting a project. The federal 25C tax credit has been excluded from this calculator as it is no longer applicable to 2026 installations.
How to Claim Utility Rebates — Step by Step
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1Identify your utility provider(s)Most California homes have both an electric utility (LADWP, SCE, or SDG&E) and a gas utility (SoCalGas or SDG&E). You may qualify for rebates from both. Check your bills to confirm who serves your address.
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2Check current program availability before signing anythingVisit your utility's rebate portal or call directly. Programs change allocations quarterly. SoCalGas programs especially can close before year-end when funds run out — don't assume availability without checking.
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3Get pre-approval if requiredMost utility programs require you to apply before the work begins. Don't install first and apply later — you'll be denied. Some programs also require a home energy audit as a first step.
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4Hire a qualified contractorRebate programs require installation by a licensed California contractor (CSLB license C-17 for glazing work). Ask your contractor if they've processed utility rebates before — experienced contractors often handle paperwork for you.
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5Keep all documentationSave the NFRC label from your windows (or a photo), the purchase invoice showing the model number, the installation contract, and the contractor's license number. Most rebate applications require all of these.
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6Submit the rebate applicationFile within the utility's allowed window (usually 90–180 days post-installation). Online applications process faster than paper. Include all required documentation. Utilities typically process rebates in 6–8 weeks.