Do you want to install and use air conditioner to pass through this summer? As well we know that there are three types of air conditioners to choose from that are (1) central models (CACs), (2) portable units and (3) window A/C units! Portable and window units are relatively cheaper either for the price tags or installation (free installation cost because both can be installed much practically and easily without needing to pay or hire a qualified technician). Both are nice idea to complement your powerful CAC! Perhaps the first question at this time when you want to purchase and install CAC is about the tax credits! Is there any tax credit for central air conditioners? The answer is yes, CACs are qualified for a tax credit!
According to Energy Star (energystar.gov), the following is the specification of tax credit for central air conditioners in 2011:
1. How much? The answer is $300! This is different if we compare in 2009 and 2010 which the tax credit is thirty percent of the cost & up to $1500!
2. How about for timing? The unit is installed between first day of January 2011 and the last day of December 2011, in the house where you live most of time (in the United States). And if you get a temporary absence because of unordinary circumstances, it will not revise the principle residence.
3. And for details and qualification of the unit: (a) For split CACs: EER must be equivalent and more than 13 ( >=13 ), SEER must be equivalent and more than 16 ( >=16), (b) for package CACs: EER must be equivalent and more than 12 ( >=12 ), SEER must be equivalent and more than 14 ( >=14)! Split models usually have three major components: outdoor cabinet (housed compressor & condenser), indoor cabinet (house evaporator coil), and air handles. And package models usually have one cabinet (installed on a concrete slab or on a roof) to house compressor, condenser and evaporator coil
4. Next question, do we must to replace our heating & air conditioning unit to qualify for a tax credit? Well, the law doesn’t need that we replace & change our heating & air conditioning, but practically speaking we will maybe must to replace both in order to make the air conditioner to qualify! Nowadays, most of CACs on the market are only able to qualify for tax credit if we also change and replace the blower motor (or air moving device which is usually also part of furnace or the air handler) that that has important function to push the cool air via the duct system! Today’s air conditioning units require the added better efficiency performance from a better efficiency performance of blower motor ( such as advanced-main air circulating fan and ECM) to achieve adequate efficiency performance of tax credit qualification. So consider the kind of the blower motor as well! Don’t forget also to consider the equipment either for furnace or A/C which shall need to be from the one or same manufacture, because blower motor, condenser, and evaporator coil must be tested jointly at the same time & currently manufactures are only certifying and testing their own equipments.
5. In addition, it is better to ask and discuss to a local HVAC contractor to find and understand any qualified models clearly! Ask to them about manufacture’s certification statement or you can also get more information about this issue by searching the manufacture’s online site. The last; how to apply the tax credit? Visit this site!
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Read also about HSPF, SEER and EER and Top 2 EdgeStar portable air conditioners!
Tags: cacs, central air conditioner, tax credit