What Homeowners Need to Know About Energy-Efficient Honeycomb Shades
Honeycomb shades (also known as cellular shades) are widely recognized for their energy-efficient design and for good reason. Their signature cellular construction creates pockets of air between the window and the room, helping slow the transfer of heat. This added layer of insulation can play a meaningful role in improving a home’s overall energy performance.
Hunter Douglas’ Duette® Honeycomb Shades, the original cellular shade introduced in the 1980s, are specifically engineered with this insulating structure in mind. The honeycomb design is intended to help keep homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer by reducing heat loss and limiting solar heat gain. According to information cited by the U.S. Department of Energy, tightly installed cellular shades can reduce heat loss through windows in colder months and help block unwanted heat during warmer seasons, making them one of the most effective window-covering options for energy efficiency.
Hunter Douglas also offers Applause® Honeycomb Shades, which use a similar cellular construction and are designed to deliver many of the same insulating benefits. Both product lines are available in configurations that may qualify as energy-efficient building-envelope components when they meet federal performance standards.
Because of this verified insulating performance, certain Hunter Douglas honeycomb shade products may qualify for the federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (Internal Revenue Code §25C). This credit allows homeowners to claim 30% of the cost of qualifying products, up to an annual cap of $1,200 for building-envelope improvements such as insulation-related components. The credit applies only to the cost of the qualifying product itself; installation and labor costs are not included. It is also nonrefundable, meaning it can reduce federal tax liability but cannot create a refund on its own.
The IRS does not list honeycomb shades by name. Instead, eligibility is determined at the product level. Hunter Douglas publishes Manufacturer’s Certification Statements identifying which specific Duette® and Applause® products meet §25C requirements. Only shades listed on those certification documents are eligible, and homeowners should retain the certification and purchase records for their tax files.
Importantly, under current IRS guidance, qualifying products must be purchased and placed in service by December 31, 2025. Homeowners who install eligible shades during the 2025 calendar year may claim the credit when they file their 2025 federal tax return in spring 2026, unless Congress extends or modifies the program. (Due to the One Big Beautiful Bill, these credits will not continue past December 31, 2025).
Because the $1,200 annual cap is shared across multiple energy-efficient improvements, homeowners are encouraged to consult a qualified tax professional to ensure proper planning and documentation.
