PA Energy Rebates for Bucks County Homeowners in 2026: What’s Still Available After the Federal Tax Credit Ended

Six programs are still active. PECO and PPL rebates expire May 31. PHFA’s 1% loan covers windows, roof, and insulation. Here’s the honest map — including the free programs we don’t profit from.

Below: every active 2026 program, the May 31 deadline you can’t miss, and the free path you should know about even if you never call us.

If you’ve spent the last hour reading PA contractor blogs trying to figure out what energy tax credit you can still claim in 2026, here’s what they’re not telling you. The federal credit you keep reading about — the 30% one with the $1,200 cap — was killed by Congress on July 4, 2025. It died on December 31, 2025. Anyone still telling you it’s active is six months out of date. The good news: you still have options. The bad news: the best ones expire May 31.

Did the federal energy tax credit really end? What changed in 2025?

What ended, when, and why

Yes, it’s gone. The Section 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit — the federal tax credit that let homeowners claim 30% of the cost of qualifying windows, insulation, doors, and HVAC upgrades (up to $1,200/year, $600 for windows) — was terminated by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21), signed July 4, 2025. The credit applied to property placed in service on or before December 31, 2025. After that date: zero.

If you’ve seen a contractor ad or blog post still citing “30% federal tax credit for energy-efficient windows,” that page was written before the bill passed and hasn’t been updated. We checked the top ten Google results for “PA window tax credit 2026” on May 5, 2026. Eight of ten still promoted the 25C credit as active. That’s the market we’re operating in.

What this means for projects you complete in 2026

For any window, door, insulation, or HVAC project with an installation date in 2026 — regardless of when you signed or paid — the federal 25C credit is not available. There is no phase-out, no grandfathering, no partial credit for projects started in 2025 but completed in 2026. The “placed in service” date controls. [IRS FAQ on OBBBA, verified 2026-05-05]

One narrow exception — work placed in service by 12/31/2025

If you completed qualifying improvements before December 31, 2025 and haven’t yet filed your 2025 tax return, you can still claim 25C on that return (Form 5695). If you already filed and didn’t claim it, an amended return (Form 1040-X) may recover it. Consult your CPA — this is the one case where the credit is still recoverable.

What can PA homeowners actually still use in 2026?

Here is the honest 2026 picture for Bucks County homeowners doing exterior work:

Program	Amount	Covers	Deadline	Status
PECO insulation rebate	Up to $200	Insulation (PECO territory)	5/31/2026	✅ Active
PECO air sealing rebate	Up to $200	Professional air sealing (PECO territory)	5/31/2026	✅ Active
PPL insulation rebate	Up to $500/zone	Insulation (PPL territory; electric-heat homes)	Submit by 6/15/2026	✅ Active
PPL air sealing rebate	Up to $200	Air sealing (PPL territory)	Submit by 6/15/2026	✅ Active
PHFA HEELP loan	$1,000–$10,000 @ 1% APR	Windows, insulation, HVAC, roof, doors (income-qualified)	No deadline — evergreen	✅ Active
PA KEEP Home Energy Loan	$2,500–$25,000 below-market	Whole-home energy improvements (no income cap)	No deadline — evergreen	✅ Active
PA Weatherization Assistance (WAP)	Free (income-qualified)	Insulation, air sealing (≤200% federal poverty level)	Ongoing — waitlist possible	✅ Active
Federal 25C credit	Was 30%/$1,200	Windows, doors, insulation, HVAC	TERMINATED 12/31/2025	❌ Gone
Penn Energy Savers (HEAR/HER)	Was up to $8,000	Heat pumps, whole-home efficiency	No launch date	⏸️ Paused

Which utility rebates expire May 31, 2026 — and what does that mean for your timeline?

Pennsylvania utilities are required to run energy efficiency programs under Act 129 (PA Public Utility Commission). Act 129 Phase IV expires May 31, 2026. Phase V takes effect June 1, 2026 — but specific rebate amounts for Phase V have not been published as of May 2026.

PECO Energy customers (most of Bucks County)

YBR serves homeowners in Doylestown, Warminster, Newtown, Langhorne, Yardley, and throughout the PECO service territory in Bucks County. If your project qualifies, we confirm your eligibility and walk you through the rebate submission before work begins.

Most Bucks County addresses — Doylestown, Newtown, Bensalem, Warminster, Levittown, and much of southern and central Bucks — are served by PECO Energy. Current Act 129 Phase IV rebates:

• Insulation rebate: up to $200 — qualifying attic, wall, or floor insulation. Deadline: May 31, 2026.
• Air sealing rebate: up to $200 — professional air sealing with blower-door verification. Deadline: May 31, 2026.
• What PECO does NOT rebate: Replacement windows. There is no PECO utility rebate for replacement windows, regardless of efficiency rating.

The project must be installed and rebate paperwork submitted before May 31. PECO does not accept retroactive submissions.

PPL Electric customers (parts of upper Bucks, Lehigh Valley)

Parts of northern Bucks — some Quakertown-area addresses — are served by PPL Electric Utilities. PPL requires an energy audit before the work and a blower-door test. Requirements: electrically heated home, audit first. Current Phase IV rebates:

• Insulation rebate: up to $500 per zone — attic, wall, or basement-wall insulation. Submit by June 15, 2026.
• Air sealing rebate: up to $200 — blower-door verified. Same deadline.
• What PPL does NOT rebate: Replacement windows or roofing.

FirstEnergy / Met-Ed customers (some northern Bucks townships)

Some northern Bucks townships are served by FirstEnergy / Met-Ed. Their Act 129 Phase IV program runs a similar structure. If you’re in northern Bucks and unsure of your utility — that’s the first question we answer in your YBR 2026 Rebate Stack Analysis.

What happens June 1, 2026?

Phase V is approved. It will continue utility rebate programs. The specific amounts have not been published. Homeowners who capture Phase IV rebates before May 31 lock in known dollar amounts. Homeowners who wait enter Phase V’s unpublished terms. That’s not manufactured urgency — that’s math.

What PA State Loans Are Still Active for Bucks County Homeowners — and How Cheap Are They?

PHFA HEELP — $1,000–$10,000 at 1% APR for 10 years

The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency Homeowners Energy Efficiency Loan Program (HEELP) is a subsidized loan at 1% APR for income-qualified homeowners [Source: phfa.org, verified 2026-05-05]:

• Loan amount: $1,000–$10,000 | Rate: 1% APR (fixed) | Term: 10 years, no prepayment penalty
• Income limit: up to ~$81,600 for a 4-person household in Bucks County (80% Area Median Income)
• Covers: insulation, windows, doors, HVAC, roof replacement, air sealing, smart thermostat
• The math: a $5,000 loan at 1% for 10 years ≈ $44/month

HEELP has no expiration date. It’s evergreen, funded by PHFA, and not tied to the Act 129 Phase IV/V transition.

PA KEEP Home Energy Loan — up to $25,000, no income cap

The Keystone Energy Efficiency Plus Home Energy Loan (KEEP) is a larger below-market-rate loan with no income restriction:

• Loan amount: $2,500–$25,000 | Rate: below-market (confirm at application) | Term: 36–120 months
• No income restriction — available to any PA homeowner
• Best for: whole-home or multi-trade projects exceeding HEELP’s $10,000 cap

Even if it’s not us — free path: PA Weatherization Assistance Program

If your household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level (approximately $62,400 for a family of four), there is a free weatherization program serving Bucks County. Administered locally by the Bucks County Opportunity Council, funded through PA DCED’s Weatherization Assistance Program. Insulation, air sealing, basic efficiency measures — free. We don’t get paid for it. We’re telling you about it because if it’s right for you, it’s right for you. Contact the Bucks County Opportunity Council at bcoc.org to confirm current availability. [Verify current program status and intake information directly with BCOC before applying.]

What about Penn Energy Savers? Should I wait for the $8,000 heat pump rebate?

What it was supposed to be

Penn Energy Savers is Pennsylvania’s implementation of the federal Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) and Home Efficiency Rebates (HER) programs funded by the Inflation Reduction Act. PA was allocated $258.9 million. The program promised rebates up to $8,000 for heat pump installation.

Why it’s not running

A federal executive order froze IRA-funded state energy programs pending DOE review. PA DEP filed a legal challenge; as of May 2026, the case is unresolved. Penn Energy Savers has no published launch date. [Source: pennenergysavers.com, verified 2026-05-05]

Honest answer: don’t wait for it

Penn Energy Savers, if it launches, will focus on heat pump installation and whole-home electrification — not roofing, siding, or standard window replacement. Sign up for alerts at pennenergysavers.com, but don’t let a paused program with no launch date stop you from capturing PECO and PPL rebates that expire May 31.

Which projects have NO incentive in Pennsylvania — and how do you make them pencil out?

Standard asphalt roof replacement

No federal credit. No PA utility rebate. No state grant. A standard asphalt shingle roof replacement in 2026 has zero direct incentive. The case for doing it stands on cost-of-ownership: a failed roof leaks, and water damage downstream of a leak in a Bucks County home typically runs $8,000–$40,000+ for interior repairs. PHFA HEELP at 1% (income-qualified) reduces net cash burden. Bundling attic insulation captures the utility rebate for the insulation component even though the roof has none.

Vinyl or fiber cement siding

No incentive at any level — federal, state, or utility. Vinyl and fiber cement siding have no energy efficiency classification triggering any active rebate. The exception: if a siding project includes professional air sealing, the air sealing itself may qualify for a PECO rebate of up to $200 before May 31. PHFA HEELP covers siding for income-qualified homeowners.

Replacement windows alone

No PECO or PPL rebate for windows. No federal 25C credit in 2026. The financing path: PHFA HEELP at 1% APR (income-qualified, up to $10,000), KEEP loan (above income cap, up to $25,000). On a typical Bucks County home replacing 12 windows, payback from energy savings runs 8–12 years depending on current window condition and heating source.

How to make non-incentivized projects pencil out

Bundle insulation or air sealing into any exterior project to capture the PECO or PPL utility rebate — the rebate is for the insulation, not the primary project, but they share a mobilization. Use PHFA HEELP at 1% if income-qualified. We’re happy to walk through the numbers — no commitment required. Call (267) 902-2393.

Why do ENERGY STAR specs still matter even without the federal credit?

Northern Climate Zone window threshold (U ≤ 0.22, SHGC ≥ 0.17)

The ENERGY STAR Northern Climate Zone specification (V7.0, effective October 23, 2023) requires a U-factor of 0.22 or lower and SHGC of 0.17 or higher. Bucks County falls in the Northern Climate Zone. Lower U-factor means less heat loss; higher SHGC in cold climates allows passive solar heating. Both matter for Pennsylvania winters.

ENERGY STAR Most Efficient tier (U ≤ 0.20)

The “Most Efficient” tier — U-factor at or below 0.20 — was the threshold for the old 25C credit. That credit is gone, but the specification still matters: PHFA HEELP requires minimum efficiency standards, Phase V utility rebates may impose efficiency thresholds when published, and future federal legislation may reinstate credits at this specification. Most Efficient-tier windows future-proof the project.

Why it still matters in 2026

Installing sub-ENERGY STAR windows to save on unit cost creates a project that qualifies for no financing program and costs more over its 20–30 year life. We only install ENERGY STAR certified windows. Most of what we install qualifies for the Most Efficient tier.

How can Bucks County homeowners stack programs right now to maximize 2026 dollars?

YBR GROUP Inc coordinates the full stacking sequence for Bucks County homeowners — confirming program eligibility, sequencing the rebate submissions, and ensuring your project documentation satisfies both PHFA and utility requirements in a single contractor relationship.

Roof + attic insulation = utility rebate + PHFA HEELP

Roof replacement commonly disturbs or replaces attic insulation. That insulation component triggers the PECO rebate ($200) or PPL rebate (up to $500/zone if electrically heated) — even though the roof has no rebate. Bundle them in one project, claim the insulation rebate, finance the full project via HEELP at 1% if income-qualified. Best stack available for 2026 roof projects submitted before May 31.

Siding + air sealing = utility rebate even though siding itself doesn’t qualify

Professional air sealing qualifies for a PECO rebate (up to $200) or PPL rebate (up to $200). A siding project involves removing old cladding — ideal access for envelope air sealing. Bundle the air sealing in and a job with no direct incentive captures $200 from PECO before May 31, with no extra mobilization cost.

Windows + insulation + smart thermostat = PHFA HEELP financing stack

No utility rebate for windows. But HEELP finances windows, insulation, and smart thermostats together under a single loan. Example: 8 windows ($6,000) + attic insulation ($1,500) + smart thermostat ($150) = $7,650 financed at 1% APR, approximately $67/month over 10 years. No rebate for windows — but 1% financing changes the math significantly compared to cash or a 7%+ home equity line.

A note for CPAs and financial advisors with PA homeowner clients

If you advise PA homeowners on tax matters: the 25C sunset changes your conversation. Clients who completed qualifying improvements in 2025 can still claim the credit on their 2025 return (Form 5695). Clients planning 2026 projects cannot — but PHFA HEELP at 1% APR effectively replaces the credit’s net present value for income-qualified clients, and KEEP loans serve those above the income cap.

We maintain this page quarterly and flag changes that affect advisor conversations. Our goal is to become the contractor every Bucks County CPA and financial advisor refers when clients are planning exterior projects. We give your clients straight answers on the incentive landscape and refer them back to you on tax questions. We don’t get paid for CPA referrals. Message us to be added to the quarterly update list.

PA Energy Rebate Questions — Answered for Bucks County Homeowners

Is the federal energy tax credit really gone for 2026?

Yes. The Section 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit was terminated by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21), signed July 4, 2025. It expired for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. There is no 2026 federal energy efficiency credit for windows, doors, insulation, or roofing. IRS FAQ on OBBBA, verified 2026-05-05.

Can I get a tax credit for replacement windows in 2026?

No federal tax credit. No PA utility rebate specifically for windows. Main financial options: PHFA HEELP at 1% APR (income-qualified) or PA KEEP loan (no income cap, below-market rate). These are loans, not credits — you repay them at significantly below-market rates.

What is the income limit for PHFA HEELP?

In Bucks County, the HEELP limit is approximately 80% Area Median Income — approximately $81,600 for a 4-person household. Limits vary by household size and update annually. Confirm current limits at phfa.org.

When do PECO and PPL rebates expire?

PECO Act 129 Phase IV rebates require installation and submission before May 31, 2026. PPL requires submission by June 15, 2026 or within 180 days of installation, whichever is earlier. Phase V begins June 1, 2026; specific amounts not yet published.

Will rebates be the same after June 1, 2026?

Unknown. Act 129 Phase V is approved and takes effect June 1, 2026. It will continue utility efficiency programs, but specific rebate amounts and eligible measures have not been published as of May 2026.

Is there a roof tax credit in Pennsylvania?

No. No federal tax credit for standard asphalt roof replacement in 2026. No PA state grant or utility rebate specifically for roofing. PHFA HEELP at 1% APR is available for income-qualified homeowners. Bundling attic insulation captures utility rebates even though the roof itself has none.

What is Penn Energy Savers and when will it launch?

Penn Energy Savers is Pennsylvania’s IRA-funded home electrification and efficiency rebate program. It is paused under a federal executive order with no published launch date as of May 2026. Do not delay exterior projects waiting for it — and it primarily targets heat pump installation, not roofing, siding, or windows.

I’m in Bucks County — which utility rebates apply to me?

Most Bucks County addresses are on PECO (southern and central Bucks). Northern Bucks near Quakertown may be PPL. Some northern Bucks townships are Met-Ed/FirstEnergy. Fastest check: look at your electric bill. Or call (267) 902-2393 — we confirm your utility by service address, free, even if you never hire us.

Should I trust this article over what my other contractor told me?

Trust the primary sources — IRS, PHFA, PA DEP, and the utilities. Every dollar amount and deadline in this article links to its primary source. If another contractor tells you the 25C credit is still 30% for 2026, ask them to show you the IRS source. We’ve linked directly to the IRS FAQ — read it and confirm for yourself.

Do I need a CPA to claim any of these programs?

PHFA HEELP and KEEP are loan applications — no CPA required. If you’re amending a 2025 return to claim 25C for work completed last year, a CPA is worth consulting. We can refer you to a Bucks County CPA who specializes in this; we don’t get paid for the referral.

Bottom line — what to do this week

Get a straight answer for your specific project

The YBR 2026 Rebate Stack Analysis is a free 30-minute conversation. We confirm your utility territory by service address, map active 2026 programs to your project, cross-check income qualification for HEELP, and give you a one-page document with exact dollar ranges, deadlines, and stacking sequence.

We do this free — even if you never hire us. Most homeowners leave the call with their full answer and make the decision themselves. That’s the goal.

Not sure what questions to ask before calling? Read the Bucks County Homeowner’s Contractor Guide — it covers the five decisions that cost homeowners money before a contractor ever pulls in the driveway.

Call (267) 902-2393 — 8 AM to 8 PM, 7 days a week.
Or use our contact form.