The 25C Energy Tax Credits: Gone Before You Know It

If you’ve been putting off upgrading or replacing your cooling or heating system, this might be a good time move forward. The federal energy tax credits under the 25C program will expire on Dec. 31, and taking advantage of them can help you offset the cost of a new system. 

Unlike buying home appliances, the process of selecting and installing new HVAC equipment takes some time. In order to give you an accurate quote for the new equipment, your HVAC contractor needs to do a full analysis of your home’s energy efficiency and how you live in it. These inputs go into software called Manual J and yield the right size system for your home.

Skipping this analysis could result in a system that’s too large or too small, both of which are counterproductive to the energy efficiency that the energy tax credits are promoting. Regardless of how high the efficiency is for the new HVAC equipment, if it’s too large, it’ll short cycle, using more energy and increasing the wear and tear on the equipment. During weather extremes, too small a system won’t be able to keep you comfortable.

Starting the process well ahead of the deadline also gives you time to increase insulation and seal air leaks that might allow you to purchase a smaller system, which could save you money in the short and long term.

The tax credit offers $300 for qualifying cooling equipment and $150 for high-efficiency heating systems. When you combine that credit with the energy savings you get monthly from the high-efficiency equipment that’s properly sized for your home, you’ve taken a big step toward saving money in the long term. Upgrading your current equipment also ensures your longtime comfort.

If you’d like more information about taking advantage of the energy tax credits for heating or cooling your home, contact CCAC. We provide outstanding HVAC services to homeowners in the Coastal Bend.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about energy tax credits and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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