Tax Credits For Energy-Efficient HVAC Upgrades Expire At The End Of 2011 -- Last Call

As the year is quickly coming to an end, the time for gaining the benefits of federal tax credits for energy efficiency is nearly over. The energy-efficiency tax credits were extended until the end of 2011 in order to encourage homeowners to switch to HVAC systems and products that consumed less energy.

When shopping for a new HVAC system for your home, make sure that the model you’re considering purchasing qualifies for the credits. This can be done by either asking your contractor for the system’s manufacturer’s statement or looking for the blue and white Energy Star label.

Listed below are the criteria of eligibility for different kinds of high-efficiency HVAC systems:

Gas, Propane or Oil Furnaces ($150 tax credit)

In order to receive the tax credit for a new furnace, the system must meet the following guidelines:

• Natural Gas or Propane Furnace: AFUE 95 percent or above
• Oil Furnace: AFUE 90 percent or above
• Gas, Propane or Oil Hot Water Boiler: AFUE 90 percent or above

AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utililzation Efficiency, and measures how effectively a furnace can convert fuel into heat.

Central Air Conditioners ($300 tax credit)

If you are looking to purchase a new air conditioning system, the unit you choose must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for the tax credits:

• Split Systems: EER 13 or over; SEER 16 or over
• Package Systems: EER 12 or over; SEER 14 or over

EER stands for Energy Efficiency Ratio, and SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio.

Electric Heat Pump Systems (30 percent tax credit)

For those of you who want to experience huge savings, you may want to consider the benefits of an electric heat pump. In order to receive the tax credit for these kinds of system, the following must be met:

• Split Systems: HSPF 8.5 or higher; EER 12.5 or higher; SEER 15 or higher
• Package Systems: HSPF 8 or greater; EER 12 or greater; SEER 14 or greater

HSPF stands for Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. This rating is used to measure the efficiency of heat pump systems.

For further assistance on the HVAC tax credits for energy efficiency, contact the expertsat CCAC, Inc. today. We’ll be more than willing to help you get a new system for your Corpus Christi area household.

Our goal is to help educate our customers 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.

Mathews CCAC Air Conditioning and Heating services Corpus Christi, TX. Visit our websiteto see our special offers and get started today!      

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