Please note that the Federal energy tax credit scheme is no longer active as of 1 January 2026. Although this federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit was previously available for qualifying energy-efficient window treatments from November 30, 2023 (including our energy-efficient American Wood Core Shutters), it is no longer in effect.
We’ve kept this page online to explain what the scheme was and to help you understand how energy-efficient shutters can still benefit your home.
What the Energy Tax Credit Used to Be
Under the former federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit, homeowners could claim back a portion of costs for qualifying energy-efficient products — including select window shades, blinds, and plantation shutters. Homeowners were eligible to receive a credit on their tax return for a percentage of the purchase price, subject to limits and qualifying criteria. The scheme ended on 1 January 2026.
Why It Matters
Even though the tax credit is no longer available, choosing energy-efficient shutters can still:
- Improve insulation, reducing heat loss and lowering energy bills
- Increase comfort by regulating indoor temperatures
- Add long-term value to your home
Custom shutter solutions can still make a meaningful difference to your home’s energy performance. If you’re interested in improving your home’s energy efficiency, explore our range of energy-efficient shutters and read on for more about how shutters can improve energy efficiency in your home.
Reduce Energy Bills with Energy Efficient Shutters
Your windows are the biggest energy gap in your home. By shoring them up, you’re not just warming your home - you’re saving on bills too!
Do Plantation Shutters Save Energy?
Most of the heat in the home is lost through the windows. That’s why we decided to offer a shutter that’s more than just a style statement. With American Wood Core shutters, you can reduce heat lost through the windows by up to 60%.
How energy-efficient shutters work
Our American Wood Core Shutters combine innovative EnergyGuard technology and expert American craftsmanship to improve your windows' energy efficiency by up to 60%. Here's how it works.
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2. Heat Retention |
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3. Light Control |
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| Transform your windows from energy wasters to energy savers with plantation shutters. During chilly winter days, open your shutter louvers to let in the sunlight. On scorching summer days, close them to keep a cool indoor temperature. |
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Keeping your shutter louvers closed traps heat inside your home, preventing it from escaping through the windows. This is especially useful for those evenings when temperatures drop suddenly. |
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Shutters offer excellent control over the amount of natural light entering your home. Simply adjust the louvers to adjust your home's lighting, ensuring your space is as bright or as dim as you like. |
The U Factor
The U Factor measures the rate of heat transfer through a barrier. Typically, the walls of your home have a U factor of 0.06, whereas windows typically stand at 0.5. By installing American Wood Core Shutters, you can significantly lower your windows' U factor to under 0.3. This nearly triples the energy efficiency of a standard double-pane window. The result? A substantial reduction in heat loss through your windows which keeps your home the perfect temperature year-round.
SHGC
The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) quantifies the solar energy that enters your home via the windows. It falls on a scale from 0 to 1, indicating the percentage of solar energy entering. Double-pane windows often have a high SHGC of 0.75, meaning that 75% of the sun's heat infiltrates your home. Wood Core Faux Wood Shutters, on the other hand, lower the SHGC to under 0.3. This translates to less than 30% of solar heat entering your home, effectively keeping your space cool and comfortable when direct sunlight hits during scorching summer days.
The Perks Don’t Stop There
American Wood Core Shutters are specifically manufactured for their energy efficiency, but they’re so much more than that:
- Same look and feel as wooden shutters
- 100% waterproof and easy to clean
- Durable and long-lasting
- Low maintenance
- 5-year guarantee
- Dispatched within 2 weeks
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Stop Losing Heat Through Your Windows
Did you know that your home could be losing up to 50% of its heating or cooling energy through your windows? That means that even double-pane windows can be up to 10 times less energy efficient than your roof or insulated walls.
One surefire way to counteract this and save money on energy bills is to fit your windows with custom-made shutters.