A lot of fuss can be made about brands of equipment. The fact is, though, what makes a system great is the quality of the installation. Almost any heating and cooling system (or systems) will provide some heat and cooling to your home. Picking the right equipment and installing it properly will allow the warm and cool air to reach the various parts of your home quietly and at the temperature you expect. We do that best.
Of course we have our favorite brands of equipment, but we always install the best equipment for your particular home. We'll recommend various options for your individual situation, and be sure that you understand why.
And since energy efficiency is a big topic these days, we can give you options for equipment with various efficiency levels. What it comes down to is this-you can spend more for higher efficiency equipment initially and save money in gas and electricity for as long as you own the equipment, or you can pay less for medium efficiency equipment, and pay more for the energy. We can help you to figure out what is the best choice for your situation.
Currently there are Federal Tax Credits and Xcel Energy Rebates available for high efficiency hot water heaters and residential heating and cooling equipment installed during 2009. Listed below are the amounts.
2010 Energy Rebates for Residential Homeowners
Federal Tax Credits
For qualified improvements (see below), homeowners may be able to claim tax credits equal to 30% of the installed costs up to $1,500. The exception is geothermal - 30% of the total cost can be claimed with qualifying equipment.
The tax credits are available until December 31, 2010. Homeowners may use the entire $1,500 tax credit limit on a single qualifying improvement, if desired. The previous per-appliance caps that limited a homeowner to just $150 for a high efficiency furnace or $300 for a high efficiency central air conditioner or heat pump have been removed.
Homeowners that previously claimed tax credits in 2006 or 2007 are eligible for the full $1,500 limit.
Homeowners who install geothermal heat pump systems may be able to claim up to 30% of the installed costs in tax credits in the year the system is placed into service. The $2,000 tax credit limit has been removed. The geothermal tax credit has a longer term, it expires December 31, 2016.
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard to Qualify for Tax Credit:
| Electric Air Source Heat Pumps |
15 SEER | |
|
Central Air Conditioners |
16 SEER | |
|
Natural Gas Furnaces |
95% AFUE | |
|
Natural Gas Hot Water Boilers |
90% AFUE | |
|
Gas or Propane Water Heaters |
0.82 Energy Factor 90% Thermal Efficiency | |
|
Electric Hot Water Heaters |
2.0 Energy Factor | |
| Advanced Main Air Circulating Fans - applies only for fan retrofit situations | No more than 2% of furnace total energy useage |
Xcel Energy Rebates
|
94% AFUE Natural Gas Furnace |
$120.00 | |
|
92% AFUE Natural Gas Furnace |
$80.00 | |
|
84% AFUE Natural Gas Boiler |
$120.00 | |
|
0.62 Energy Factor Water Heater |
$40.00 | |
|
0.65 Energy Factor Water Heater |
$60.00 | |
|
0.67 Energy Factor Water Heater |
|
$80.00 |
|
0.82 EF Tankless Water Heater |
$100.00 |
Xcel Energy Heating Rebate Form
