Save Money on Windows, Doors & Siding in New Jersey

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Program  - Benefit

Municipal / County Housing Rehab Loan - Up to $25,000–$50,000 (deferred, 0% interest)

NJ Weatherization Assistance Program - Free upgrades — no cost to qualifying households

NJ Whole Home Energy Efficiency Program - Up to $7,500 cash back + $25,000 zero-interest financing

Utility Rebates (PSE&G, JCP&L, etc.) - Up to $14,000 in free upgrades for income-qualified customers

Federal Tax Credit (Section 25C) - Up to $600 for windows + $500 for doors

USDA Section 504 (rural areas) - Up to $50,000 in combined loans and grants 

Most of these programs can be stacked. The right combination depends on your income, location, and project scope.

Best for: Most NJ homeowners — this is the most widely available and most substantial source of funding

Throughout New Jersey, counties and municipalities administer housing rehabilitation programs funded by federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars from HUD. These programs exist to help owner-occupants repair and upgrade their homes — and windows, doors, and siding are among the most commonly covered improvements.

How the funding works: Most programs offer deferred payment loans — meaning zero monthly payments and zero interest. The balance is repaid only when you sell the home or transfer the deed. Some programs include forgiveness provisions where a portion of the loan is forgiven for each year you remain in the home. In some counties, outright grants are available for lower-income or senior homeowners.

Typical amounts: Loans generally range from $10,000 to $50,000 depending on the county, the project scope, and your household income.

Who qualifies: Programs typically serve owner-occupants with household incomes at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI), though some extend to 120% AMI for energy efficiency improvements. In New Jersey, 80% AMI for a family of four is approximately $96,000 — higher than many homeowners assume. Having a mortgage does not disqualify you.

Eligible improvements: Windows, exterior doors, siding, roofing, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical are all commonly covered. Energy efficiency improvements receive priority in most programs.

Where to find your program: Contact your municipality's Community Development or Housing office directly. County-level programs are available as a fallback if your town doesn't operate its own. Examples of active programs in NJ include:

• Gloucester Township — Deferred payment loans covering windows, doors, siding, roofing, and structural repairs. No monthly payments; repaid at sale.
• Union County — Deferred payment loans up to $24,999. Senior homeowners may qualify for a separate grant up to $10,000.
• Bergen County — Loans up to $17,500 (single-family) or $25,000 (two-family). No payments until sale or transfer.
• Cherry Hill Township — Grants ($5,000–$15,000) and loans ($10,000–$50,000) for households up to 80% AMI.
• Voorhees, Pennsauken, Collingswood — Active programs; contact each municipality's Community Development office for current funding availability.

Important: Funding is allocated annually and is often first-come, first-served. Apply before committing to any contractor

Transform your home with a fresh coat of paint. Our experienced painters provide high-quality interior and exterior painting services at competitive pricesBest for: Lower-income homeowners — services provided completely free of charge

The NJ Weatherization Assistance Program, administered by the NJ Department of Community Affairs, provides free energy efficiency improvements to eligible households. A trained energy auditor visits your home, identifies where you're losing energy, and qualified contractors perform the approved work at no cost to you.

What's covered: Air sealing, weatherstripping, caulking around windows and doors, insulation, heating system improvements, and other energy conservation measures. Window and door upgrades may be included where identified in the energy audit.

Who qualifies: Households at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Priority is given to elderly residents, people with disabilities, and families with young children.

How to apply: Through the DCAid Service Portal at dcaid.dca.nj.gov, or by contacting your county's local community action agency. Waitlists are common — apply early.

Official source: nj.gov/dca/dhcr/offices/wap.shtml

Best for: Moderate-income homeowners who don't qualify for WAP

New Jersey's major utilities — PSE&G, JCP&L, and others — offer free or heavily subsidized home energy upgrade programs for income-qualified customers. These programs go well beyond basic weatherization and can deliver significant value.

PSE&G Home Weatherization: Qualifying customers can receive up to $14,000 in energy efficiency upgrades and up to $2,500 in health and safety improvements at no cost. Eligibility is based on income (between 250–400% of federal poverty level), census tract, or participation in NJ SHARES. Includes an in-home energy assessment by a BPI-certified adviser.

JCP&L Home Weatherization: Similar structure — free in-home energy assessment plus up to $14,000 in upgrades for eligible customers. Income requirements follow the same general framework.

NJ Whole Home Energy Efficiency Program (2026): Available to all NJ homeowners regardless of income, this program provides up to $7,500 in cash-back incentives and up to $25,000 in zero-interest financing for qualifying energy upgrades. Incentives are based on projected energy savings: a $2,000 rebate for achieving 5% or greater energy savings, plus $200 for each additional percentage point up to $7,500. Eligible improvements include insulation, air sealing, and HVAC systems. Requires a home energy audit by a participating BPI-certified contractor as the first step.

How to access: Contact your utility company directly or visit njcleanenergy.com. Utility programs can be combined with federal tax credits and municipal loan programs on the same project.

Best for: Any homeowner installing ENERGY STAR certified windows or doors

The federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (Section 25C) allows homeowners to claim 30% of the cost of qualifying windows and doors directly as a tax credit — not a deduction.

Windows: Up to $600 per year for ENERGY STAR Most Efficient certified exterior windows and skylights. Applies to product cost only (not installation labor). Primary residence only.

Doors: Up to $250 per qualifying exterior door, with a maximum of $500 if two or more doors are installed. Must meet ENERGY STAR certification requirements.

Combined potential: The window and door credits can be combined in the same tax year. When stacked with other Section 25C credits (insulation, HVAC, etc.), the total annual credit can reach up to $3,200.

How to claim: File IRS Form 5695 with your annual tax return. Keep your receipts, product certifications, and the manufacturer's four-character Qualified Manufacturer (QM) code — required for 2025 filings.

Qualifying products: Windows must carry ENERGY STAR Most Efficient certification for your climate zone, with a U-factor of 0.30 or lower. Ask your contractor to verify certification before ordering.

Note on deadlines: The Section 25C credit as structured through 2025 was set to expire December 31, 2025 — verify current status with a tax professional, as Congress periodically extends or modifies these programs. File IRS Form 5695 for any qualifying installations made in the applicable tax year.

Official source: energystar.gov/about/federal-tax-credits

Best for: Very low-income homeowners in rural NJ counties

For homeowners in rural areas — including parts of Salem, Cumberland, Sussex, and Warren counties — the USDA Section 504 program provides loans and grants for home repairs including windows, doors, and siding.

Loans: Up to $40,000 at a 1% fixed interest rate for very low-income homeowners to repair or improve their home.

Grants: Up to $10,000 for elderly homeowners (62+) to remove health and safety hazards. Loans and grants can be combined for up to $50,000 in total assistance.

Eligibility: Household income must be below 50% of Area Median Income. Home must be in an eligible rural area — check your address at rd.usda.gov.

Official source: rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs

Step 1 — Contact your municipality first. Call your town's Community Development, Housing, or Planning office and ask whether a home improvement assistance program is currently accepting applications. If your town doesn't have one, ask your county.

Step 2 — Get a home energy audit. Many utility and state programs require one as a starting point. It's often free and tells you exactly which improvements will qualify for rebates and incentives.

Step 3 — Apply for program approval before signing any contractor agreements. Most municipal and county programs require that you receive approval before work begins. Starting early prevents losing eligibility.

Step 4 — Confirm product certifications before ordering. For windows and doors, verify ENERGY STAR Most Efficient certification and get the manufacturer's QM code for federal tax credit purposes.

Step 5 — Keep all documentation. Invoices, permits, product approval numbers, energy audit reports, and contractor certifications are required for rebate claims, loan reimbursements, and tax filings.