Now that December has begun, we here at Cabrillo wanted to remind you that the 2013 federal tax credits for installing energy efficient HVAC systems and water heaters expire at the end of the month. Today we’re going to talk about the details behind the tax credits and how you can qualify for them before time runs out!
2013 Energy efficient tax credits for HVAC systems
Federal tax credits are available for HVAC systems that meet the following criteria:
- Air source heat pumps: A tax credit of $300 is available for air source heat pumps with an HSPF rating of 8.5 or higher, an EER rating of 12.5 or higher and a SEER rating of 15 or higher.
- Central air conditioners: A tax credit of $300 is available for central air conditioners with a SEER rating of at least 16 and an EER rating of at least 13.
- Natural gas furnaces: A tax credit of $150 is available for natural gas furnaces with an AFUE rating of 95 or higher.
2013 energy efficient tax credits for water heaters
As we previously wrote about on the blog, a tax credit of $300 is available for water heaters with an Energy Factor of at least 0.82 or a thermal efficiency of at least 90 percent.
How to qualify for the 2013 energy efficient tax credits
In order to qualify for the 2013 tax credits, the system must be installed in an existing home that is your primary residence. That means that new homes and rental homes do not qualify for the credits. In addition, the system must be installed by December 31, 2013.
Save money now AND save money later
The great thing about taking advantage of these energy efficient tax credits is that they ensure both short- and long-term savings. In the short-term, you’ll save money on installation costs. In the long-term, the high-efficiency systems that you install will continually save you money year-after-year on operating costs.
If you have any questions about what types of systems qualify for the 2013 energy efficient tax credits, or if you need help applying for the credits, don’t hesitate to contact Cabrillo, your Bay Area plumbing, heating and air conditioning contractor.