H.R. 5188 – New Home Energy Efficiency Act of 2021

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Updated February 8, 2026 at 6:33 AM UTC

The New Home Energy Efficiency Act of 2021 extends the federal tax credit for building energy‑efficient homes through 2031, raises the credit amount, and updates the energy‑saving standards that homes must meet. It applies to new single‑family and multifamily dwellings built after December 31, 2021 and affects homeowners, builders, and the tax code.

Key Provisions

Extends the existing new‑energy‑efficient home credit deadline from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2031.
Increases the credit to $2,500 for qualifying single‑family homes and $5,000 for homes meeting higher efficiency criteria.
Allows homes certified as “zero energy ready” under the DOE program to qualify for the credit.
Updates the Energy Star requirements for single‑family homes (different standards before and after Jan 1, 2024) and for multifamily homes to the most recent national and regional program standards.
The new rules apply to dwellings acquired after December 31, 2021.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Ways and Means Committee

September 7, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

September 7, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Ways and Means Committee

September 7, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued September 7, 2021

I

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 5188

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 7, 2021

Mr. Gomez introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

A BILL

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the new energy efficient home credit, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the New Home Energy Efficiency Act of 2021.

2.

Extension, increase, and modifications of new energy efficient home credit

(a)

Extension of credit

Section 45L(g) is amended by striking December 31, 2021 and inserting December 31, 2031.

(b)

Increase in credit amounts

Section 45L(a)(2) is amended to read as follows:

(2)

Applicable amount

For purposes of paragraph (1), the applicable amount is an amount equal to—

(A)

in the case of a dwelling unit described in subsection (c)(1)(A) (and not described in subsection (c)(1)(B)), $2,500, and

(B)

in the case of a dwelling unit described in subsection (c)(1)(B), $5000.

.

(c)

Modification of energy saving requirements

Section 45L(c) is amended to read as follows:

(c)

Energy saving requirements

(1)

In general

A dwelling unit meets the energy saving requirements of this subsection if—

(A)

such dwelling unit meets the requirements of paragraph (2) or (3) (whichever is applicable), or

(B)

such dwelling unit is certified as a zero energy ready home under the zero energy ready home program of the Department of Energy (or any successor program determined by the Secretary) as in effect as of the beginning of the calendar year in which construction of the dwelling unit begins.

(2)

Single-family home requirements

A dwelling unit meets the requirements of this paragraph if—

(A)

such dwelling unit meets—

(i)

in the case of a dwelling unit construction of which begins before January 1, 2024, the Energy Star Single-Family New Homes National Program Requirements 3.1, and

(ii)

in the case of a dwelling unit construction of which begins after December 31, 2023, the Energy Star Single-Family New Homes National Program Requirements 3.2, and

(B)

such dwelling unit meets the most recent Energy Star Single-Family New Homes Program Requirements applicable to the location of such dwelling unit (determined as of the beginning of the calendar year in which construction of such dwelling unit begins).

(3)

Multi-family home requirements

A dwelling unit meets the requirements of this paragraph if—

(A)

such dwelling unit meets the most recent Energy Star Multifamily New Construction National Program Requirements (determined as of the beginning of the calendar year in which construction of such dwelling unit begins), and

(B)

such dwelling unit meets the most recent Energy Star Multifamily New Construction Regional Program Requirements applicable to the location of such dwelling unit (as so determined).

.

(d)

Effective dates

The amendments made by this section shall apply to dwelling units acquired after December 31, 2021.