Energy Efficiency Tax Credits for HVAC Upgrades

If you have been considering installing high-efficiency heating or air-conditioning systems in your home in order to lower your utility bills, you can do so this year and get some help from Uncle Sam in paying for the upgrades. President Obama signed legislation on Jan. 2, 2013 to avert the “fiscal cliff.” That law reinstated federal energy-efficiency tax credits for all of 2013 for qualifying heating, cooling and water heating systems. The tax credits are also retroactive for all of 2012. 

The federal energy efficiency tax credits apply to 10 percent of the cost of qualifying system upgrades, up to a maximum amount for each type of system, and a maximum lifetime credit of $500 for each household.

You should consult with your tax adviser to see how you can take advantage of these credits, since your individual situation will determine how much you can claim in credits for 2013. Equipment must meet rigorous energy-efficiency standards to qualify for the tax credits, so you should also talk with our HVAC experts to be sure your planned upgrades include eligible equipment.

Following is a brief summary of the federal tax credits that are available for energy-efficiency upgrades in your home:

• 10 percent of the cost, up to a $150 credit, for qualifying furnaces and boilers.
• 10 percent of the cost, up to a $300 credit, for qualifying heat pumps and air conditioners.
• 10 percent of the cost, up to a $50 credit, for qualifying main circulating fans.
• 10 percent of the cost, up to a $300 credit, for qualifying water heaters.

There are also tax credits for materials used in upgrading insulation, windows and storm doors, so be sure to consider including these easy conservation projects in your plans.

Call Rinaldi’s Energy Solutions Team for help with planning your energy-efficiency project and with installing the equipment you need to make your Orlando area home more comfortable for your family and cheaper to cool and keep warm. We have been in business since 1969 serving homeowners and businesses throughout Central Florida.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Orlando, Florida and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about Tax Credits and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock