Your system probably needs updating anyway, with industry minimums going to 13 SEER in 2006 and to R-410A refrigerant in 2010.  If your system was installed before January 2006 and is of the 10 SEER variety, it may be considered an antique.  The industry has made major advancements in recent years.  All equipment manufactured now uses R-410A refrigerant which is enviromentally friendly.  Also our SEER ratings on equipment have topped the 20 SEER mark on some Air to Air units.  Thats 100% more efficient than the 10 SEER units.

The tax Credits run out December 31, 2010 for air to air units unless Congress extends them.  Don't let this opportunity for free money to help pay for your unit install slip by.  Contact us today.

Lewis Farless
V.P. ComfortMaster Mechanical Associates.

Today has been spent answering lots of questions and clearing up confusion over the stimulus bill that was just signed into law by President Obama. Final copies of the bill can now be found here (but note that they are very large files). In case you tried to view the bill on the Thomas registry, the Public Print version was not updated to the final passed version and varied from the final bill in several key areas. HARDI's summary was of the correct version of the bill, but has been slightly updated and can be downloaded here .

Here are some answers to several frequently asked questions so far:

Q: When does this go into effect?
A: Unless stated otherwise in the bill, today is the effective date. Specifically regarding the residential efficiency credits, 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 today. Equipment installed today through 12/31/2010 must meet the minimum requirements outlined in HARDI's summary.

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.

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 envelope improvements?
A: Upgrades to doors and windows must now have U-factors or SHGC of .30 or lower to qualify and insulation must meet 2009 IECC requirements. These improvements count towards the $1,500 cap in 2009 and 2010. The previous thresholds qualify for the credit if installed between 1/1/09 and 2/16/09.

Q: What about advanced circulating fans now?
A: 30% of the costs associated with the installation of fans that use less than 2% of the total furnace energy consumption qualify.

Q: What about solar and geothermal systems?
A: 30% of the total installation costs of solar hot water, solar electricity, wind generation, and geothermal heatpumps can now be recovered as a tax credit without any dollar limitations.

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 95% AFUE furnace will qualify for the credit. Should the installation costs associated with the furnace not reach $5,000, 30% of the installation cost can still be claimed and the difference between that amount and the $1,500 cap can be applied to any other qualifying improvements.

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 envelope or HVAC credits addressed above.