Good News for Tax Season: The Latest on Federal Energy Tax Credits March 30, 2016

Nearly every year, the federal government (through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program) offers federal energy tax credits for people who have purchased appliances and other products that are Energy Star–qualified. By installing Energy Star–certified appliances throughout your Florida home, not only can you save up to 30 percent on your energy bills—you can also qualify for these federal energy tax credits.

Incentives for Qualifying Products

For most qualifying HVAC equipment, insulation, windows and doors, the total tax credit is either a predetermined amount or 10 percent off the purchase price, up to a predetermined maximum. Other products, such as geothermal heat pumps and solar systems, may qualify for a credit of 30 percent off the purchase price.

• Air source heat pumps: Split Systems are eligible for a $300 credit, if they have an HSPF of greater than or equal to 8.5, an EER of 12.5 and a SEER of 15. Packaged systems must have ratings of 8 HSPF, 12 EER and 14 SEER or above.
• Central air conditioners: The credit is up to $300 for air conditioners, with at least 16 SEER and 13 EER ratings for split systems, or at least 14 SEER and 12 EER for packaged systems.
• Furnaces: Gas, propane and oil furnaces are eligible for a $150 credit if they have an AFUE of 95 or above. The furnace fan can qualify for an additional $50 credit if it uses 2 percent or less of the total energy that the furnace requires.
• Boilers: Gas, propane and oil boilers with an AFUE of at least 95 qualify for a $150 credit.
• Insulation: New insulation qualifies for a credit of 10 percent of the purchase price, up to $500 total.
• Windows and Doors: Energy Star–certified windows and doors qualify for a 10 percent credit, up to $200. The limit applies to all units installed since 2005.

To learn more about these federal energy tax credits, visit the Energy Star website or talk to our HVAC experts at Conditioned Air. We have been serving the Southwest Florida area, including Naples and Sarasota, since 1962.