You greenies may have already know about this but you can get a $1,500 tax credit this year and next for some practical home improvements. It may help buy me a new HVAC system. They still won't replace my pool solar heater though. Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency : ENERGY STAR Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency includes: Tax Credits for Consumers Tax credits are available at 30% of the cost, up to $1,500, in 2009 & 2010 (for existing homes only) for: Windows and Doors Insulation Roofs (Metal and Asphalt) HVAC Water Heaters (non-solar) Biomass Stoves Tax credits are available at 30% of the cost, with no upper limit through 2016 (for existing homes & new construction) for: Geothermal Heat Pumps Solar Panels Solar Water Heaters Small Wind Energy Systems Fuel Cells
For electric heat customers in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, there is also a $1200 incentive for installing a high efficiency ductless (i.e. mini-split) heat pump to offset the electric heat. This applies only to existing residential electric heat customers with no access to natural gas. Depending upon your local utility, this may apply only to customers with baseboard or zoned in-wall heaters, but some utilities are allowing it for homes with central (ducted) heat. The program supports only a single zone in the main living area, with the intent that some heat will flow to adjacent zones and partially offset heat there too. (This is working very well in my house.) Customers may elect to install multi-zone units, but that does not increase the incentive. Program websites: Welcome to the NW Ductless Heat Pump Project Ductless Heating and Cooling
We have a similar scheme up here called the Home Renovation Tax Credit Budget 2009 - Building On an Impressive Record of Tax Relief I say whoop de doo, 15% on a max of $10,000. Still, better than a goose egg, and since I'm paying for the tax credit anyway ...
This makes me drool a little, though I need to see whether replacing the old home AC, new windows, or new shingles (in anticipation of solar panels) would make the most sense.
In my case, it was no contest. My heat pump will pay back in roughly a decade at my former chilly house temperature, faster with the expected age-related increase in thermostat setting or with increased electric rates. Window quotes last year equated to a 100 year payback for the north side windows, 400 years for the south side windows, according to federal window software. Roofing? I need to do that in the next few years anyway, will need to see what is best for future PV and/or DHW panels. Is standing-seam metal roofing a good idea? Apparently it is supposed to be easy for panel mounting.
