How to Get an Energy Efficiency Tax Credit

From now until the end of 2010, an energy efficiency tax credit is available. This is not a tax rebate or deduction, it is a full tax credit. There are different improvement to choose from to improve the efficiency of your existing house. This article will help you get started so you can get an energy efficiency tax credit .

Instructions

1. 

   Find exterior windows, skylights, storm windows, storm doors, and exterior doors that meet the program guidelines to receive and energy efficiency tax credit.

   Exterior Windows and Skylights must meet ENERGY STAR criteria including a U factor <= 0.30 and SHGC <= 0.30. You can get a tax credit of 30% of the cost, up to $1,500.

   Storm Windows, need to be rated in combination with the exterior window over which it is installed. Two criteria must be met:
   1. has a U-factor and SHGC of 0.30 or below
   2. Meets the IECC

   If the storm windows meet requirements you can get a tax credit of 30% of the cost, up to $1,500.

   Exterior Doors must meet ENERGY STAR criteria including a U factor <= 0.30 and SHGC <= 0.30. You can get a tax credit of 30% of the cost, up to $1,500.

   Storm Doors need to be rated in combination with a wood door over which it is installed. Two criteria must be met:
   1. has a U-factor and SHGC of 0.30 or below
   2. Meets the IECC

   If the storm doors meet requirements you can get a tax credit of 30% of the cost, up to $1,500.

2. Find energy efficient HVAC upgrades that meet the program guidelines to receive and energy efficiency tax credit. The following minimum required need to be met to receive the $1500 energy efficiency tax credit.

   Central A/C

   Split Systems:
   EER >=13
   SEER >= 16

   Package systems:
   EER >= 12
   SEER >= 14

   Air Source Heat Pumps

   Split Systems:
   HSPF >= 8.5
   EER >= 12.5
   SEER >= 15

   Package systems:
   HSPF >= 8
   EER >= 12
   SEER >= 14

   Natural Gas or Propane Furnace
   AFUE >= 95

   Oil Furnace or Gas, Propane, or Oil Hot Water Boiler
   AFUE >= 90

   Advanced Main Air Circulating Fan
   No more than 2% of furnace total energy use.

3. Replace your roof with a either a metal Roof or asphalt roof that has ENERGY STAR qualified metal and reflective asphalt shingles you can receive up to a $1500 tax credit.

4. 

   Replace your water heater (Gas, Oil, Propane Water Heater) with one with a energy factor >= 0.82 or a thermal efficiency of at least 90%.

   Or you can replace your water heater with an electric heat pump water heater with an energy factor >= 2.0. Either of these upgrade qualify for a $1500 energy efficiency tax credit.

5. Change your home heating system to a biomass stove which burns biomass fuel to heat a home or heat water. To qualify the thermal efficiency rating must be at least 75% as measured using a lower heating value. This upgrade will net you a $1500 energy efficiency tax credit.

6. Ask for a manufacturer certification statement when you buy windows, doors, or skylights to be eligible for the tax credit. If the retailer does not have the documentation, ask for them to look it up on the manufacturer's web site before you buy.

Tips & Warnings

• There is no upper income limit on the tax credit.

• The tax credit is only available for improvements to energy efficiency to existing homes.