Silvia HVAC, Lakeville, MA. Saving the Earth One Day at a Time.

Federal Tax Credits for High Efficiency Equipment

The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009, that was signed by President Obama on February 17, 2009, contains long-term tax incentives to homeowners to encourage the installation of high efficiency heating and air conditioning equipment in personal residences. The new law, effective January 1, 2009, offers a one-time tax credit of 30% of the total cost with a maximum amount of $1,500.

Energy Efficient HVAC Rebates

The average home spends about $1,000 annually on energy bills. Heating and cooling accounts for as much as half of the home's energy use. The EPA provides important recommendations for energy-efficient equipment, including proper sizing, quality installation and maintenance, to help you get the most out of your heating and cooling products and save as much as 20% annually on your total energy costs.

Whether you are replacing heating and cooling equipment in your home or planning the installation of equipment in a new home, choosing ENERGY STAR qualified products can help keep your home comfortable year-round and contribute to a cleaner environment.

Certain telltale signs indicate when it's time to consider replacing heating and cooling equipment, or improving the performance of your overall system. You may want to consider making a change if:

  • Your air conditioner is more than 12 years old. Consider replacing it with an ENERGY STAR qualified model to cut your cooling costs by up to 30 percent.
  • Your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old. Consider replacing it with an ENERGY STAR qualified furnace, which is 15% more efficient than a conventional furnace. If you have a boiler, consider replacing it with an ENERGY STAR qualified boiler that is 5% more efficient than a new, standard model.
  • Your equipment needs frequent repairs and your energy bills are going up. In addition to the rise in energy costs, your cooling or heating equipment may have become less efficient.
  • Some rooms in your home are too hot or too cold. Improper equipment operation, duct problems or inadequate insulation could be the cause.
  • You have your thermostat set at one constant temperature. You could be missing a great energy-saving opportunity. A programmable thermostat adjusts your home's temperature at times when you're regularly away or sleeping.
  • Your home has humidity problems. Poor equipment operation, inadequate equipment, and leaky ductwork can cause the air to be too dry in the winter or too humid in the summer.
  • Your heating or cooling system is noisy. You could have an undersized duct system or a problem with the indoor coil of your cooling equipment.

Source: "A Guide to Energy-Efficient Heating & Cooling"

Residential High-Efficiency Heating & Cooling Equipment Rebate Programs

GasNetworks is a collaborative of local natural gas companies serving residential customers throughout New England. Rebates up to $1000 are available for heating equipment that meets or exceeds the following annual fuel usage efficiency (AFUE) ratings:

  • $100 rebate Warm air furnaces > 92% AFUE rating
  • $200 rebate Steam boilers > 82% AFUE rating
  • $400 rebate Warm air furnaces > 92% AFUE rating equipped with ECM or equivalent advance furnace fan system
  • $500 rebate Forced hot water boilers > 85% AFUE rating
  • $1000 rebate Forced hot water boilers > 90% AFUE rating

*Rebates restricted to customers of participating GasNetworks utilities.

Cool Smart, sponsored by National Grid and NSAR Electric, is a residential central air conditioning rebate program providing rebates of $300.00 for Energy Star qualified cooling equipment having an annual seasonal efficiency rating (Seer) of 14.5 or greater and an EER rating of 12.0 or greater. This means that Energy Star qualified central air conditioners have a higher seasonal efficiency, which makes them about 14% more efficient than standard models.