What Vermont programs pay near windows and doors
We re-read Efficiency Vermont's residential rebate list and Burlington Electric's weatherization page on October 5, 2026. Vermont Gas's page has an FAQ asking whether its weatherization rebates cover windows and doors, which we could not open, so we do not say what it answers.
Window or door replacement rebate
Efficiency Vermont's full residential rebate list has no window or door replacement offer.
Efficiency Vermont weatherization
75% of qualifying insulation and air sealing, with a higher cap if income-eligible. Air sealing around windows and doors is the kind of work a blower-door test directs.
Vermont Gas weatherization
For gas-heated single-family homes, by income, with a BPI-certified contractor and a 10% air-leakage cut. We did not read whether windows and doors count.
Do-it-yourself weatherization
Efficiency Vermont lists $100. Burlington Electric describes completing at least three DIY projects, such as sealing doors and windows.
Federal energy efficient home improvement credit
The credit ended for property placed in service after December 31, 2025.
If a salesperson quotes you a Vermont rebate on windows, ask for the program page and the date. We could not find one, and a number with no source is a reason to ask more questions.
What Burlington Electric recommends first
Burlington Electric's weatherization page says windows are not the greatest source of heat loss in a home but are the easiest to weatherize for owners and renters. It suggests, in order, spot sealing doors and windows, installing storm windows if you do not have them, checking that windows and storm windows are shut and latched, using window insulation shrink kits during heating season, replacing weatherstripping and using insulated cellular shades. It says very old, single-pane, leaky windows could be candidates for replacement. It also asks you to talk to its Energy Services team before a substantial window replacement, so you understand savings and return on investment before you meet contractors.
A target to aim for
BED cites the 5:15:20:40:60 rule from Passivhaus advocates for cost-effective insulation targets: R-5 windows and exterior doors (U-0.20), R-15 under basement slabs, R-20 basement walls, R-40 above-grade walls and R-60 ceilings and roofs. We did not verify typical window ratings for any Vermont city, but the rule gives you a number to compare against when a contractor quotes a window. A new window that does not reach the target is not a bargain at a premium price.
Why air sealing comes first
Efficiency Vermont and Vermont Gas both require at least a 10% reduction in air leakage on the blower-door test for their weatherization rebates. That test finds leaks at window frames, sills, rim joists and attic bypasses. Sealing them costs much less than replacing windows, and if the leaks are somewhere else a new window will not help. The weatherization rebate pays 75% up to $3,000 from Efficiency Vermont, and from $4,000 to $9,500 from Vermont Gas for gas homes, so air sealing is where public money goes.
Old houses and original windows
Burlington, Rutland, Barre and Montpelier all have large shares of pre-1940 housing, per the Census: 38% in Burlington, 50% in Rutland, 46% in Barre and 38% in Montpelier. BED lists storm windows and weatherstripping as cheaper steps before replacement. See the Burlington, Rutland, Montpelier and Barre insulation guides.
If you replace windows anyway
Get at least three quotes, ask for the U-factor on the window label and ask whether the installer air seals the rough opening. In a rental, ask the landlord who pays. Keep the receipt in case a program opens in 2027. We will update this page if Efficiency Vermont or a utility lists a window offer.
What to do about drafty windows in Vermont
- Seal and weatherstrip doors and windows, and add storm windows or shrink kits.
- Book Efficiency Vermont's free Virtual Home Energy Visit or a blower-door test.
- Use the weatherization rebate to pay for air sealing and insulation first.
- Compare any replacement quote against the R-5 (U-0.20) target.
- Ask your utility before a large window project.
More for Vermont homes
- Vermont home rebates: every program in one place
- Vermont appliance rebates: dryers, thermostats and induction
- Burlington insulation rebates: Vermont Gas and BED
- Vermont rebate calculator: add up what applies to your home
Common questions
Is there a Vermont rebate for replacement windows?
We found none on Efficiency Vermont's 2026 residential list. The federal credit ended after 2025.
What should I do about leaky windows?
Weatherstrip, add storm windows or shrink kits and use cellular shades, as Burlington Electric suggests, then get a blower-door test.
Does weatherization cover air sealing around windows?
Efficiency Vermont and Vermont Gas pay for air sealing and insulation projects that cut air leakage at least 10%. Ask your contractor what the project includes.
Do Vermont Gas rebates cover windows?
Vermont Gas's page has an FAQ on this that we could not open. Call Vermont Gas before assuming either way.
What U-factor should I look for?
BED cites R-5, or U-0.20, as a cost-effective target for windows and exterior doors.
By Sam Menard. Sources, last read October 5, 2026: Efficiency Vermont: all residential rebates, Burlington Electric Department: weatherization, Vermont Gas: residential rebates and financing, IRS: energy efficient home improvement credit.