Cost Efficiency Archives - Page 2 of 2

There was a nice little surprise in the “fiscal cliff” deal that Congress reached in January: The energy tax credits for homeowners who buy energy-efficient home comfort systems was restored.

Although credits for geothermal, solar and other upgrades were still in place, the credits for the most typical systems, such as furnaces, air-source heat pumps and air conditioners, had expired at the end of 2011. Now those credits are back in place and even retroactive. So if you’ve been considering an upgrade, there’s no better time to make the purchase that you’ve been putting off.

Here’s a look at the equipment that qualifies for the 25C tax credits and the efficiency criteria:

Combustible-fuel furnaces and boilers need to have an annual fuel utilization efficiency of at least 95 percent.
Heat pumps must have a minimum seasonal energy efficiency ratio of 15 and a heating seasonal performance factor of at least 8.5.
Split-system air conditioners must have a SEER of at least 16.
Packaged systems must have a SEER of at least 14.

The cap on the tax credit for heat pumps and air conditioners is $300. Furnaces and boilers with a 95 percent AFUE qualify for a $150 credit. A homeowner who installs an energy-efficient blower motor can receive a $50 credit. The tax credits are capped at $500 for multiple systems.

If you’ve been thinking about replacing one or more of your systems, and you would like more information, contact Fred’s Heating & Air. We can help you find the equipment that meets the tax credit criteria and is suited to your specific needs. We’ve provided HVAC services to homeowners in the Omaha and Council Bluff areas for nearly 25 years. And we’re happy to provide those very same services to you.

At Fred’s Heating and Air, we know the importance of arriving at your home prepared to handle any issue affecting your furnace performance. It’s just as important that you be prepared for our arrival, especially if we’re making an annual service visit. We want this visit to be a productive one that will help you understand how your system operates and what you can do to keep it running well for many years.

During your annual service visit, your HVAC tech might find that a minor repair is needed, but this is far from a bad-news bulletin. Think of a minor repair as a good thing, as it often keeps a small problem from becoming a big one. So before we arrive, be sure you’re prepared by:

Locating the owner’s manual or operating instructions for your HVAC system
Knowing the brand and model numbers of the system
Knowing where your thermostat, air conditioner, furnace and circuit breakers are located
Making sure that your HVAC equipment is accessible and not blocked by furniture or other objects
Writing down any problems your HVAC system is experiencing. The more information we have, the more productive our visit will be.
If you are the person who knows the most about the system, try to be the one who’s home when your HVAC tech arrives. This will help to ensure that the exchange of information between homeowner and tech is optimal. Otherwise, make sure an adult is home.
Speaking with your landlord if you don’t own the home. The landlord is most likely responsible for any HVAC-system service.
Preparing a means of payment, such as cash, check or a debit or credit card

With this kind of preparation, your annual service visit should be a breeze – and even enjoyable. At Fred’s Heating and Air, we encourage you to watch us work and ask questions. An educated consumer is a happy consumer, and we want you to be both.

Category: Cost Efficiency

Tax Credits Can Keep Money in Your Wallet This Winter

Are You Fully Prepared For An Annual Service Visit? Maximize The Experience