Federal Tax Credits for Consumer Energy Efficiency Houston

                     If you purchase an energy-efficient product or renewable energy system for your home, you may be eligible for a federal tax credit. Below you will find an overview of the federal tax credits for energy efficiency.

Please note, not all ENERGY STAR qualified products qualify for a tax credit. ENERGY STAR distinguishes energy efficient products which, although they may cost more to purchase than standard models, will pay you back in lower energy bills within a reasonable amount of time, without a tax credit.

What is included in the Tax Credit?

Tax Credit: 30% of cost up to $1,500

Expires: December 31, 2010

Details: Must be an existing home & your principal residence. New construction and rentals do not qualify.

Houston Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning (HVAC)

Advanced Main Air Circulating Fan

An Advanced Main Air Circulating Fan is an efficient fan, or blower motor which blows the air that your furnace heats up through the duct system.

Requirements

Must use no more than 2% of the furnace's total energy. Note: If the fan is qualified, but the furnace is not, you will not be able to take 30% off the cost of the entire furnace. Ask your HVAC contractor to break out the cost of the fan in your bill. You can get a 30% tax credit on the cost of the fan alone.

Tax Credit includes installation costs.

Houston Air Source Heat Pumps

Heat pumps offer an energy-efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioners in moderate climates. Like your refrigerator, heat pumps use electricity to move heat from a cool space into a warm, making the cool space cooler and the warm space warmer. During the heating season, heat pumps move heat from the cool outdoors into your warm house; during the cooling season, heat pumps move heat from your cool house into the warm outdoors. Because they move heat rather than generate heat, heat pumps can provide up to 4 times the amount of energy they consume.

Requirements

Split Systems:

HSPF ≥ 8.5

EER ≥ 12.5

SEER ≥ 15

 

Package systems:

HSPF ≥ 8

EER ≥ 12

SEER ≥ 14

Tax Credit includes installation costs.

Houston Central Air Conditioning (CAC)

The best way to find tax credit eligible CACs is to ask your HVAC Contractor (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning). To verify tax credit eligibility, ask your HVAC contractor to provide the Manufacturer Certification Statement for the equipment you plan to purchase. Or, search the Manufacturer's website.

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Requirements

Split Systems:

SEER ≥ 16

EER ≥ 13

 

Package systems:

SEER ≥ 14

EER ≥ 12

Tax Credit includes installation costs.

Natural Gas or Propane Furnace

A furnace uses the combustion of fuel and air to create heat.

Requirements

AFUE ≥ 95

Tax Credit includes installation costs.

Houston Home Insulation

Adding adequate insulation is one of the most cost-effective home improvements that you can do.

Houston Home Insulation Requirements

Typical bulk insulation products can qualify, such as batts, rolls, blow-in fibers, rigid boards, expanding spray, and pour-in-place.  Products that air seal (reduce air leaks) can also qualify, as long as they come with a Manufacturers Certification Statement, including:

• Weather stripping
• Spray foam in a can, designed to air seal
• Caulk designed to air seal
• House wrap

Tax Credit does NOT include installation costs. But, you can install the insulation/home sealing yourself and get the credit.

Tax Credit: 30% of cost with no upper limit

Expires: December 31, 2016

Details: Existing homes & new construction qualify. Both principal residences and second homes qualify. Rentals do not qualify.

Houston Geothermal Heat Pumps

Geothermal heat pumps are similar to ordinary heat pumps, but use the ground instead of outside air to provide heating, air conditioning and, in most cases, hot water. Because they use the earth's natural heat, they are among the most efficient and comfortable heating and cooling technologies currently available.

Requirement

Closed Loop:

EER ≥ 14.1

COP ≥ 3.3

 

Open Loop:

EER ≥ 16.2

COP ≥ 3.6

 

Direct Expansion:

EER ≥ 15

COP ≥ 3.5

Tax Credit includes installation costs. Call (713)364-8960 for Home Insulaiton and Energy Efficiency Houston.