|
HVAC Important Information |
2009-2010 Tax Credit Just-signed
tax credit info for 2009-2010.
On February 17, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery
and Investment Act of 2009, which has several tax incentives for residential high-efficiency HVAC equipment. Below are a summary
of the new tax credits and some frequently asked questions and answers. Please note, this
is our interpretation of the legislation, so you are encouraged to consult your tax advisor
for further clarifications.
Now
up to a $1,500 tax credit: The new law allows homeowners to take up to a $1,500 tax credit on efficiency improvements
including HVAC. The credit is for up to 30% of the installed cost. So, if a high-efficiency outdoor unit cost the homeowner
$5,000, he or she could take the entire $1,500 credit on that one piece of equipment. Or, if the system cost $3,000, the homeowner
could use $900 of the credit on HVAC and the other $600 on other energy improvements.
Q:
When does this go into effect?
A: Immediately. The expanded $1,500 credit is retroactive to the start of 2009.
Products that qualified for the existing $500 credit will still qualify for the $1,500 credit if installed prior to February
17. Equipment installed now through December 31, 2010, must meet the minimum requirements outlined here.
Q: Is it a $1,500 credit in both 2009 and 2010?
A: No. $1,500 is the total credit available
to primary residence households for 2009 and 2010 for all efficiency improvements, not just HVAC.
Q:
What if a customer claimed the $500 efficiency credit previously in 2006, 2007, or 2009?
A: It does not affect
this credit. Those same customers are still eligible for the full $1,500 credit for qualified improvements made in 2009 and
2010.
Q: What about replacement jobs in which a 95% AFUE furnace but only a 13 SEER a/c is installed?
A: 30% of the final installation costs, up to $1,500, associated specifically with the furnace will qualify for
the credit.
Q: Do these improvements apply to new home construction as
well?
A: No. On-site renewables generation such as solar and wind qualify for new construction credits, but
not the HVAC credits addressed above.
Minimum
Energy Efficiency Standard to Qualify for Tax Credit Air Source, Split Heat Pumps 15 SEER, 12.5
EER, 8.5 HSPF Central Air Conditioners
16 SEER, 13 EER Natural Gas Furnace 95%
AFUE FAQ about Heat Pumps Ever
since their introduction in the late fifties, heat pumps seem to be a mystery to most homeowners.
To help you better
understand these remarkable devices, the Trane Home Comfort Institute has compiled the most frequently asked questions about
heat pumps and their answers.
What is a heat pump?
A heat pump is essentially a
central air conditioning system that also has the ability to heat your home during cold weather months. It's called a "heat
pump" because it pumps heat into your home in winter, and pumps heat out of your home in summer. Its ability to both
heat and cool makes it a very economical and efficient home comfort system.
How does a heat pump work?
In
summer, it functions exactly like a standard central air conditioning system, pulling the heat out of your home and releasing
it outside.
In winter, it simply reverses the process, extracting the heat that's present in outdoor air and pumping
it into your home.
How can a heat pump obtain heat from cold winter air?
As strange as it may seem, heat
is present in all air, even air that's well below freezing. Think of the way your refrigerator removes unwanted heat that
accumulates when you open the door and place warm food inside. You can feel that heat coming back into your kitchen from the
refrigerator's exhaust fan. In a similar way, heat pumps remove heat from cold outdoor air and deliver it to your home to
keep you warm and comfortable.
What does a heat pump look like?
A typical heat pump installation consists
of two parts: an outdoor unit that contains the outdoor coil, compressor, reversing valve, and fan; and an indoor unit that
contains the indoor coil, supplemental heater and fan.The outdoor unit looks exactly like a central air conditioner in both
size and appearance. The indoor unit is called an air handler and looks similar to a gas furnace.
Where is the
furnace?
There isn't any. The heat pumps takes its place. Because a heat pump simply moves heat from one place to another,
there is no burning of fuel to make heat, no smoke and no fumes.
Do heat pumps have efficiency ratings?
Yes.
In fact, they have two, one for heating and one for cooling. The heating rating is called the Heating Seasonal Performance
Factor (HSPF), the cooling rating is called the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). In both cases, the higher the number,
the greater the efficiency and the lower the operating costs.
When comparing ratings, remember that they are based on
the total system, meaning the combination of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit.
Why is a heat pump so economical?
Because during the heating season, a heat pump simply has to move heat instead of making it. Unlike a furnace that must
turn fossil fuel or electricity into heat, the heat pump simply collects heat that already exists in the outdoor air and pumps
it into your home.
Why do heat pumps have supplemental heaters?
Heat naturally migrates from warmer to colder
areas through windows, doors, ceilings and walls. Insulation, weather-stripping and caulk slow down this heat loss, but cannot
totally eliminate it. The colder it becomes, the faster a home loses heat. The supplemental heater helps the heat pump during
weather extremes when a home may lose heat faster than the heat pump can replace it. Electric heating elements in the indoor
unit turn on automatically to make up the difference.
Can heat pumps be installed in existing homes?
Yes,
especially if you already have a forced-air heating system, suitable ductwork and adequate insulation. Heat pumps can work
with any forced air heating system ... gas, oil, propane or electric.
Home Comfort Service information 8 Reasons Why a Heating & Cooling Service Checkup is a Wise Investment 80% of all compressor failures could be avoided if proper maintenance had been performed. A
dirty or restricted condenser coil, evaporator coil, and blower wheel can increase system operating costs by up to 45%. If you have to ever add refrigerant to your system – you have a leak! Comfort systems are sealed and pressurized.
If you have a leak it will result in increased operating costs and will eventually require repair. Smaller
problems like a small leak, can lead to the major repairs such as a compressor failure. Proper maintenance can catch many
minor repairs before they become major repairs – paying a little now can help you avoid paying lots later! A quality filtration system, combined with proper maintenance, will protect your coil and may prolong the life
of the system. Properly performed maintenance – a precision tune-up – twice a year,
will improve safety, keep your system running at peak efficiency, and save you money according to a major study – Louisiana
Cooperative Study.
Each system checked will receive a 20-point maintenance tune-up and safety check. Check electrical connections *
Check safety controls Check thermostat calibration * Check fan blade tightness Lubricate fan motor * Measure amp draw * Check air flow Clean condensor * Check evaporator coil Check refrigerant lines * Check condesation drain Check "start"
and "run" capacitors Check "start" and "run"
relays Check refrigerant level Clean burners * Carbon Monoxide check Check for
proper venting * Check Manifold pressure Check service valves * Check heat
exchanger/chamber
|
