Did your air conditioner turn in a less-than-perfect performance this past cooling season? Are you thinking of upgrading to a more efficient system that could keep you more comfortable and save you more money in operating costs? The initial investment such state-of-the-art equipment may pose can be intimidating. However, there are plenty of tax credits for energy efficiency that can make the purchase more practical for Southwest Florida homeowners.

The federal government is offering tax credits to encourage the purchase of energy-efficient HVAC equipment. The credits are part of a national effort to reduce our energy consumption.

If you installed a high-efficiency air conditioner in 2011, a tax credit in the amount of $300 may be available to you. This credit includes installation costs. Here are the requirements to qualify:

• If you have a split system, the EER (energy efficiency ratio) must be at least 13, and the SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) should be at least 16.
• If you have a package system, the EER should be at least 12, and the SEER at least 14.
• The unit must be installed in your main residence, not a new construction or second home.

In some cases, qualifying for the tax credit on a new air conditioner will mean you have to install a new furnace (if you have one). This is because the blower motor, a key equipment component responsible for forcing conditioned air through the filter and ductwork, may be located in the furnace. To qualify for the tax credits for energy efficiency, the blower motor must be high-efficiency. Give us a call if you have questions.

Other equipment may qualify for credits as well, including:

• Electric heat pumps.
• Furnaces.
• Boilers.
• Advanced main air circulating fans.

Keep in mind that if you claimed a tax credit for your equipment in 2010, you can’t claim another for 2011. If you have questions regarding whether you qualify for tax credits for energy efficiency, check out the Department of Energy’s guidelines, or contact the HVAC professionals at Conditioned Air. We’ll be happy to help you get the most savings possible.

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.

Conditioned Air services Southwest Florida including cities Marco Island, Ft. Myers or anywhere in between. Visit our website to see our special offers to get started today!   

Summer’s almost here again, which means it’s time to switch the thermostat over from heat to cool.

It’s also time to think about a new air conditioning system, and before the temperature climbs too high. You may have an older, inefficient A/C system — or even a few of those noisy and power-hungry window units — which makes this the perfect opportunity to put high efficiency air conditioning on your list as you research new options. 

The most important thing to consider when weighing new A/C systems, after your family’s comfort, is the cost of the system to install and operate. While installation and equipment costs will vary depending on your home and needs, high efficiency systems will begin to pay for themselves almost immediately in reduced power bills and through less wear and tear on your equipment. You’ll also be helping the environment, thanks to lower emissions and less escaped refrigerant.

There are a variety of high efficiency air conditioning options, from improved components that can be installed in your existing system, to more advanced thermostats, all the way through to new ductless systems that allow you to have complete control over the temperature in different zones throughout your home. Sometimes, even a few small upgrades (along with a check of your duct system to make sure there aren’t kinks and leaks) can save you a huge amount of money.

And did you know there are also tax credits available to offset a portion of the cost of a new high efficiency air conditioning system? You can save up to $300 through this federal tax credit.

Still have questions? Take a look at our free e-book, with answers to many of the most common questions our customers ask, or contact us today! Conditioned Air has been serving homeowners throughout Southwest Florida since 1962, so we think we know a few things about how we can help you stay comfortable, and save money while you do it.

Conditioned Air services Southwest Florida including cities Marco Island, Ft. Myers or anywhere in between.  To get started, check out our website or see our special offers.

Lots of homeowners took advantage of the generous federal tax credits offered for heating and air conditioning systems in 2010. Those credits have been reduced, but you can still see some tax benefit if you are considering an upgrade in your heating and cooling systems. Now is the time to think about installing new air conditioning or an air-source heat pump.

Here’s what you need to know about the federal tax credits for these types of equipment:

• The credit is good for 10 percent of the cost up to $500, or a specified amount between $50 and $300.  Conditioned Air can help you determine which models qualify.
• The equipment must be purchased and installed before the end of 2011.
• The tax credit can only be claimed for your principal residence and the equipment must be installed in an existing home.
• Second homes, rental properties, and new construction are not eligible.

Air source heat pumps are an energy-efficient home comfort solution that provides both heating and cooling.  They work by moving heat, rather than generating heat, so they consume much less energy than a furnace or conventional air conditioner.  The professionals at Conditioned Air have years of experience installing air source heat pumps in southwest Florida, so we know which models work best for different situations.

If you are looking to install a new central air conditioning system, we can help you with that, too.  There are countless numbers of models available, but not all of them are eligible for federal tax credits.  The best way to determine the right unit for your home is to work with a professional to make sure the equipment you purchase is not too large or too small for your home comfort needs.  Contact us at Conditioned Air to learn more about which energy-efficient air conditioners are available.

Schedule time with us now, before your home gets hot and uncomfortable, and you will not miss out on this year’s federal tax credits.

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

Conditioned Air services Southwest Florida including cities Marco Island, Ft. Myers or anywhere in between.  To get started, check out our website or see our special offers.

Have you been wondering about the new Federal tax credits for installing energy efficient products and equipment?  As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, this program was created to encourage homeowners to install high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment.  This incentive is only for a limited time, so you need to start thinking about it now.  If you’re looking at an installation or replacement this year, contact us.  We’ll show you how to choose equipment that meets program criteria, so you can start saving money on your energy bills now and in the future.

The tax credits are split into 3 main categories, by the type of products or system you install:

• High-efficiency HVAC, biomass stoves, windows, doors, insulation, roofs and water heaters
  Expires December 31, 2010.  This credit applies to existing homes and principle residences only.  It cannot be used for new construction and rentals.  Tax credit- 30% of the cost, up to $1,500 

• Geothermal heat pumps, wind turbines, solar systems
  Expires December 31, 2016.  This credit applies to existing homes and new construction, and both principle and secondary residences, but not rentals.  Tax Credit- 30% of cost with no upper limit

• Residential fuel cells and microturbines
  Expires December 31, 2016.  This credit applies to existing homes and new construction.  Secondary homes and rentals do not qualify. Tax Credit- 30% of cost, up to $500 per .5 kW of power capacity

Depending on the scale of your project and the type of equipment you install, you can realize big savings with this program.  Make sure you know what equipment does and does not qualify.  We can go over your options with you, to ensure that the system you choose meets the standards.  So talk to us before you run out and purchase those ceiling fans thinking you’ll get a tax credit! (you won’t).  This is an opportunity to get significant tax savings on equipment that you would need to purchase anyway.  So, find out how you can take advantage of it.  You’ll save money and improve your home’s energy efficiency at the same time.

To get more details about these Federal tax credits, visit www.energystar.gov.