Gas, propane, and oil water heaters installed by December 31, 2025 qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $600 — if they meet the efficiency requirements.
Credit Expired December 31, 2025
The 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit expired on December 31, 2025 due to the "One Big Beautiful Bill" (Public Law 119-21). If you installed a qualifying water heater by that date, you can still claim the credit on your 2025 tax return. (IRS FAQ on Public Law 119-21)
Quick Summary
- Credit: 30% of costs, maximum $600
- Line 23 on Form 5695 for gas, propane, or oil water heaters
- Different from heat pump water heaters (Line 29c, $2,000 cap)
- Requires manufacturer's QMID code
- Part of the $1,200 annual cap shared with windows, doors, etc.
Credit Amount
Tax Credit Calculator
This calculator provides an estimate. Your actual credit may vary based on your tax situation. The credit is non-refundable and cannot exceed your tax liability.
You get 30% of your water heater costs back, up to $600. This includes both the equipment and installation labor.
Example:
- Total project cost: $2,500
- Credit calculation: $2,500 × 0.30 = $750
- Actual credit: $600 (capped)
For a $1,800 installation:
- Credit calculation: $1,800 × 0.30 = $540
- Actual credit: $540 (under the cap)
Annual Cap
The $600 water heater credit is part of a combined $1,200 annual limit that includes windows, doors, insulation, central AC, and gas furnaces. Heat pumps and heat pump water heaters have a separate $2,000 cap.
Line 23 vs. Line 29c: Which Line?
Water Heater Credit Comparison
| Equipment | Credit Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Gas Water Heater | $600 | Line 23, shared $1,200 cap |
| Propane Water Heater | $600 | Line 23, shared $1,200 cap |
| Oil Water Heater | $600 | Line 23, shared $1,200 cap |
| Heat Pump Water Heater | $2,000 | Line 29c, separate cap |
Heat pump water heaters use electricity and qualify for the higher $2,000 credit on Line 29c. Gas, propane, and oil water heaters go on Line 23 with a $600 cap.
If you're not sure which type you have, check the energy source. If it plugs into a standard electrical outlet and doesn't have a gas line, it's likely a heat pump water heater (electric). If it has a gas line or oil supply, it goes on Line 23.
Efficiency Requirements
Not every gas, propane, or oil water heater qualifies. Your system must meet specific efficiency standards.
Efficiency Standards
Water heaters must meet or exceed the efficiency requirements established by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) or ENERGY STAR certification.
For gas and propane water heaters:
- Must have an Energy Factor (EF) ≥ 0.82, or
- Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) ≥ 0.90
For oil water heaters:
- Must have an Energy Factor (EF) ≥ 0.90, or
- Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) ≥ 1.0
These ratings appear on the manufacturer's certification statement or the ENERGY STAR label. Ask your contractor to confirm efficiency requirements before purchase.
What's Covered
Included in the credit
- Water heater equipment cost
- Installation labor
- Required venting upgrades
Not covered
- Extended warranties
- Maintenance agreements
- Cosmetic work
- Water treatment systems
Labor costs are included. Unlike some energy efficiency incentives that only cover equipment, the 25C credit covers what you pay for installation.
QMID Requirement
Starting with the 2025 tax year, you need your manufacturer's QMID — a 4-character IRS registration code. It won't be on your water heater or your invoice.
The QMID is a 4-character alphanumeric code that identifies your equipment manufacturer. Enter it exactly as shown in the IRS database or our directory.
Look it up in our QMID directory by the brand name on your water heater, or call the manufacturer and ask.
Brand vs. Manufacturer
The brand on your water heater might not match the manufacturer name in the IRS database. For example:
- Ruud is owned by Rheem
- Richmond is owned by Rheem
- State is owned by A.O. Smith
- American is owned by A.O. Smith
Our directory handles this automatically. Search for the brand on your equipment and we'll show you the correct manufacturer and QMID.
How to Complete Form 5695 Line 23
Form 5695 Part II, Section B, Line 23 is where gas, propane, and oil water heaters go.
Line 23a: QMID and Cost of Most Expensive Water Heaters
Enter the QMID and cost for up to two of your most expensive water heaters.
If you only installed one water heater, fill in one QMID and cost. Leave the second set blank.
If you installed three or more water heaters, enter the two most expensive on Line 23a and the rest on Line 23b.
Line 23b: Other Qualifying Water Heaters
If you installed more than two water heaters, enter the combined cost of all other qualifying water heaters here.
Most people leave this line blank (only one or two water heaters installed).
Line 23c: Total Costs
Add Line 23a costs and Line 23b. This is your total water heater expenditure.
Line 23d: Credit Calculation
Multiply Line 23c by 30% (0.30). Maximum credit is $600.
Enter the smaller of your calculation or $600.
Tip
Line 23d flows into Line 27, which calculates the combined total for all Section B items subject to the $1,200 cap. Make sure you complete the full calculation through Line 28.
The $1,200 Annual Cap
Line 23 water heaters share a combined annual limit with other improvements:
Items Sharing the $1,200 Cap
| Equipment | Credit Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Insulation and Air Sealing | $1,200 | Line 18 |
| Exterior Doors | $500 | Line 19 |
| Windows and Skylights | $600 | Line 20 |
| Central Air Conditioners | $600 | Line 22 |
| Gas/Propane/Oil Water Heaters | $600 | Line 23 |
| Gas/Propane/Oil Furnaces | $600 | Line 24 |
| Electrical Panel Upgrades | $600 | Line 25 |
| Home Energy Audits | $150 | Line 26 |
The total of Lines 18b, 19h, 20d, 22d, 23d, 24d, 25e, and 26c cannot exceed $1,200 (calculated on Line 28).
If you install multiple items in the same year, you might hit the $1,200 cap. The IRS doesn't specify which items get priority. Your total credit is simply limited to $1,200 for this category.
Example:
- Gas water heater: $600 credit
- Central AC: $600 credit
- Windows: $600 credit
- Total if no cap: $1,800
- Actual credit (Line 28): $1,200
Stacking With Other Incentives
Maximize Your Savings
The 25C tax credit stacks with most utility rebates. Apply utility rebates first, then calculate your 25C credit on the remaining costs.
Example calculation:
- Total project cost: $2,200
- Utility rebate received: -$300
- Your out-of-pocket cost: $1,900
- 25C credit (30% of $1,900): $570
- Final credit: $570
Some states also offer additional rebates for high-efficiency water heaters. Check your state energy office and local utility for programs that stack with the federal credit.
Common Mistakes
Avoid These Errors
Wrong line: Gas, propane, and oil water heaters go on Line 23, NOT Line 29c. Line 29c is for heat pump water heaters only.
Wrong QMID: The brand on your water heater may not match the manufacturer in the IRS database. Use our directory to map brand → manufacturer → QMID.
Including tankless electric: Electric tankless water heaters don't qualify under Line 23. Only gas, propane, and oil systems qualify here.
Missing utility rebates: If you received a rebate from your utility, you must subtract it from your costs before calculating the credit.
Forgetting the $1,200 cap: Even if your individual item credits add up to more, Line 28 caps your total at $1,200 for all Section B items except heat pumps.
Timeline
Important Deadline
The credit expired December 31, 2025. Installations after that date do not qualify.
Qualifying period: January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2025
The installation date matters, not the purchase date. If you bought the water heater in December 2025 but installed it in January 2026, it does not qualify.
Non-Refundable Credit
The 25C credit is non-refundable. It can reduce your tax liability to zero but won't generate a refund beyond what you've already paid.
Example: You owe $400 in federal taxes. Your water heater credit is $600. You'll reduce your taxes to $0, but the extra $200 doesn't carry forward or get refunded.
Note
If you typically get a large refund (meaning you've overpaid through withholding), you'll likely be able to use the full credit. The credit reduces your tax liability before refund calculations.
Documentation
Keep these documents for at least 3 years after filing:
- Completed Form 5695
- Contractor invoice showing installation date and itemized costs
- Manufacturer's certification statement (confirming efficiency)
- QMID documentation
- Payment records
- Utility rebate documentation (if applicable)
The IRS can audit returns up to 3 years after filing. Clean records prevent headaches.
Using Tax Software
Most tax software (TurboTax, H&R Block, FreeTaxUSA) has a section for energy credits. Look for:
- "Residential energy credit"
- "Energy efficient home improvement"
- "Form 5695"
The software will ask for your costs, equipment type, and QMID. It handles the calculations automatically.
Make sure the software correctly identifies your water heater as a gas/propane/oil system (Line 23, $600 cap), not a heat pump water heater (Line 29c, $2,000 cap).
Official Resources
IRS overview of the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit
IRS.govDownload the current Form 5695
IRS.govDetailed instructions for completing Form 5695
IRS.govSearch certified water heaters by brand and efficiency
ENERGY STARNext Steps
Ready to claim your credit? Gather your contractor invoice and find your QMID in our directory. Once you have your documentation, complete Form 5695 and attach it to your tax return.
For complete Form 5695 instructions including all lines and calculations, see our Form 5695 Guide.