The New Jersey Home Energy Tax Credit: A Guide for Homeowners and Renters

Every year, the fall and winter seasons quickly approach with all its exciting activities. But what’s not exciting are those increased energy bills as the temperatures decrease, forcing you to crank up the heat. In New Jersey, the state experiences colder temperatures on the east coast.

Below, we’ve compiled a guide for homeowners and renters on how to use the New Jersey home energy tax credit when making home improvements in your residence.

The New Jersey Home Energy Tax Credit: A Guide for Homeowners and Renters

Table of Contents

The New Jersey Home Energy Tax Credit: A Guide for Homeowners and Renters

Every year, the fall and winter seasons quickly approach with all its exciting activities. But what’s not exciting are those increased energy bills as the temperatures decrease, forcing you to crank up the heat. In New Jersey, the state experiences colder temperatures on the east coast.

Below, we’ve compiled a guide for homeowners and renters on how to use the New Jersey home energy tax credit when making home improvements in your residence.

What is a New Jersey Home Energy Tax Credit?

To receive a home energy tax credit, you must make an energy-efficient home improvement to your residence after January 1, 2023. If you make an energy-efficient home improvement, you could receive a tax credit of up to $3,200.

From the beginning of 2023, the home energy tax credit is equivalent to around thirty percent of qualified expenses, which include the following:

  • Home energy audits
  • Property expenses for residences
  • Energy efficiency home improvements installed during the calendar year

However, the IRS limits annual credit and how much is allowed for specific expenses. The maximum home energy tax credit homeowners can claim each year in New Jersey is:

  • $1,200 for energy-efficient property costs and energy-efficient home improvements

Homeowners can receive a maximum tax credit each year to make their energy-efficient home improvements until 2033.

Who Qualifies for a New Jersey Home Energy Tax Credit?

Homeowners in New Jersey can claim home energy tax credits on their primary residence. Your primary residence is where you live the majority of the time. To receive the home energy tax credit, your residence should qualify for the following:

  • Must be in the United States
  • It must be an existing residence and not a new home

In many circumstances, your home should be where you live most of the year; however, you can’t claim the home energy tax credit if you’re a landlord or property owner who doesn’t reside in the home. 

In addition, any homeowners using their residence for business purposes cannot claim the home energy tax credit. 

Eligible Insulation Products

Certain insulation products qualify for the home energy tax credits. Bulk insulation products that qualify are:

  • Batt insulation
  • Insulation rolls
  • Blow-in insulation
  • Spray foam
  • Rigid boards

Products used for air sealing also qualify as long as they come with a Manufacturer’s Certification Statement. Air sealing products that qualify are:

  • Can spray foam
  • Weatherstripping
  • Air sealing caulk
  • House wrapping

Energy Star Seal and Insulate

You can seal air leaks and add insulation to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient. Making energy-efficient home improvements can save you up to ten percent on your home energy bills. You can use specific resources or contact a professional to air-seal your attic and install new insulation.

Why Seal and Insulate?

Attic insulation can help keep your home warm during the winter and cooler during the summer. When a professional correctly installs insulation, it can deliver you comfort and savings. Sealing air leaks can also help improve the overall comfort of your home and also do the following:

  • Reduce outside noises
  • Lower the amount of pollen, dust, or pests that enter your home
  • Increased humidity control
  • Lower the chance of ice dams

Many homes in the United States don’t have enough insulation and have a significantly high amount of air leaks. By sealing air leaks and adding insulation, you are taking two of the most energy-efficient ways to save money on heating and cooling costs. 

Allowed Expenses and Credit Limits

To qualify for the New Jersey Home Energy Tax Credit, any home improvements made on your home must meet energy-efficient standards. A professional must use new systems and materials to meet energy efficiency standards, such as when installing new home insulation.

To qualify for the Home Energy Tax Credit, qualified improvements must have a lifespan of five years or more.

The home energy tax credit does not include any labor costs included with the home improvements.

Master Attic Home Insulation

At Master Attic, our professionals specialize in professional attic insulation and crawl space insulation. Our experts use top-quality materials to improve your home’s energy efficiency, which can make you qualified to receive the New Jersey Home Energy Tax Credit.

Our trained experts conduct thorough assessments, install attic and crawl space insulation, and perform final inspections to ensure the job is completed to your satisfaction.

Why Attic and Crawl Space Insulation Can Make Your Home Energy Efficient

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, around forty-nine percent of your home’s energy bills go towards heating and cooling costs. One of the essential reasons why your energy bill can rise during the winter is that you don’t have efficient insulation in your home.

With a well-insulated attic and crawl space, you can help manage your energy bill and make your home more energy efficient.

Performing a home energy audit on your residence can provide the best results on where you need insulation the most. For most places, particularly those built before the 1960s, attics are the most vital area to begin.

When installing attic insulation, you’ll want to place it in the area over your floor joists to protect the rooms in your home below. In addition, it’s also essential to seal any gaps to plug any drafts in your home, such as windows and door frames. 

How to Apply for a New Jersey Home Energy Tax Credit

To claim your home energy tax credit, you must fill out the Residential Energy Credits Part II with your tax credit. When claiming, you must claim the energy credit for the calendar year when installing the home improvement, not during purchasing.

Tips for Claiming Home Energy Tax Credits

Here are some essential tips for claiming your home energy tax credits.

Get It in Writing

When claiming your home energy tax credits, you’ll want to ensure you keep documentation of the improvements you’re making to your property, such as new attic insulation. Proper documentation is essential to give the IRS proof that you’ve earned the home energy tax credit.

Keeping documentation is essential for any type of significant tax concern. Still, it’s also necessary because they calculate the credit as a percentage of what you’ve spent on the home improvement. For specific home improvements, you can get a home energy credit for up to ten percent of your costs and some up to thirty percent, so make sure you save your receipts.

Think Local

While federally, there are many tax breaks, many states also offer tax breaks to homeowners who want to make their homes energy efficient. Have you ever driven past someone’s home and asked them if they’ve received any local tax breaks for significant home improvements?

There are many tutorials you can find on the internet regarding home improvements, but it’s also an excellent idea to get a local perspective if possible. Asking around in your local area can sometimes provide recommendations for contractors, and they might have some advice on any programs that have helped save them money.

Know Your Limitations

Just because you’re looking for a home energy credit doesn’t mean you should commit to home improvements you can’t afford. Once you know your limitations on what you can spend, you’ll also know the limitations on tax savings! To learn more about home energy credit forms, you can refer to IRS form 5695.

The Master Attic Approach to Energy Efficiency

Master Attic has quickly become New Jersey’s and Eastern Pennsylvania’s number one choice for home improvements to your attic and crawl space. If you’re searching for a team of expert professionals specializing in attic and crawl space insulation, look no further!

So why choose us? Our experts ensure that we carefully plan and prep each job and will keep you safe from start to finish. Some of the services we offer are the following:

  • Remediation
  • Rodent Removal
  • Seal air leaks
  • Decontaminate areas
  • Install insulation to make your home energy-efficient

If you’ve been considering new insulation for your attic or crawl space, call us today to schedule a free in-home insulation.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you make an energy-efficient home improvement, you could receive a tax credit of up to $1,200.

Homeowners in New Jersey can claim home energy tax credits on their primary residence (where they live most of the time).

To qualify for the Home Energy Tax Credit, qualified improvements must have a lifespan of five years or more, such as on home insulation.

Get A Free Estimate!
We Service Most Of New Jersey & Eastern PA