Federal Tax Incentives

Incentives, which may include taxes or rebates, are a often a key part of your decision to invest in energy efficiency or renewable energy.  EnergyResults wants to make sure you take advantage of ALL the incentives that are available to you.  We know this process can be confusing, but we're here to help. 

Federal incentives can cover 10% to 30% of the cost of specific home upgrades. These incentives are broken into two types, those with a limit on the total incentive and those with no limit.  See below for further details. 

Furthermore, incentives may be available on a state, local and utility level, so also please make sure to check out our State Tax Incentives & Rebates section to see what incentives may be available in your specific area.  Additional information may also be found at the U.S. Deparment of Energy and Energy Star.

2011 FEDERAL TAX INCENTIVES

Save 10%, $500 Limit

Save 10% on the cost of upgrading the following items, total savings for all upgrades are limited to $500 per homeowner. Some upgrades have lower individual limits. Tax credit can only be taken once between 2006 and 2011.

HEATING & COOLING

• Furnace - Natural Gas, Oil or Propane & Hot Water Boiler ($150 individual limit) (Review Specific Requirements)
  
  System must meet the following minimum standard - AFUE >= 95
• Central Air Conditioning ($300 individual limit) (Review Specific Requirements)
  
  System must meet the following minimum standard - Split Systems: SEER >= 16, EER >=13, Package systems: SEER >= 14, EER >= 12.
• Advanced Main Air Circulating Fan ($50 individual limit)(Review Specific Requirements)
  
  System must meet the following minimum standard - No more than 2% of furnace total energy use.
• Air Source Heat Pumps ($300 individual limit) (Review Specific Requirements)
  
  System must meet the following minimum standard - Split Systems: HSPF >= 8.5, EER >= 12.5, SEER >= 15, Package systems: HSPF >= 8, EER >= 12, SEER >= 14.

WATER HEATERS

• Natural Gas, Oil or Propane Water Heater ($300 individual limit) (Review Specific Requirements)
  
  System must meet the following minimum standard - Energy Factor >= 0.82 or a thermal efficiency of at least 90% .
• Electric Heat Pump Water Heater ($300 individual limit) (Review Specific Requirements)
  
  System must meet the following minimum standard - Energy Factor >= 2.0.

INSULATION

• Insulation: (Review Specific Requirements)
  
  System must meet the following minimum standard - Meets 2009 IECC & Amendments.

WINDOWS & DOORS

• Windows & Skylights ($200 individual limit) (Review Specific Requirements)
  
  Must be ENERGY STAR qualified. Click to see ENERGY STAR zones and requirements in your area.
• Storm Windows ($200 individual limit) (Review Specific Requirements)
  
  Must be ENERGY STAR qualified. Click to see ENERGY STAR zones and requirements in your area.
• Doors: (Review Specific Requirements)
  
  Must be ENERGY STAR qualified. Click to see ENERGY STAR zones and requirements in your area.

ROOFING

• Metal Roofs and Asphalt Roofs: (Review Specific Requirements)
  
  Metal roof with pigmented coating, or asphalt roof with cooling granules. Materials must be ENERGY STAR qualified. Click to see detailed requirments.

BIOMASS STOVE

• Biomass Stove ($200 individual limit) (Review Specific Requirements)
  
  System must burn biomass fuel to heat your home or heat water.  It must also have a thermal efficiency rating of at least 75% as measured using a lower heating value.

Save 30%, No Limit

Save 30% on the cost of upgrading the following items, with no limit on the amount of cost covered by the government.  Applies to upgrades made through 2016 on both new and existing homes.

GEO-THERMAL HEAT PUMP

• Geo-Thermal Heat Pump: (Review Specific Requirements)
  
  System must meet the following minimum standard - Closed Loop: EER >= 14.1, COP >= 3.3, Open Loop: EER >= 16.2, COP >= 3.6, Direct Expansion: EER >= 15, COP >= 3.5.

SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM

• Photovoltaic Systems: (Review Specific Requirements)
  
  System must provide electricity for the residence, and must meet applicable fire and electrical code requirement.
• Solar Water Heating: (Review Specific Requirements)
  
  At least half of the energy generated by the “qualifying property” must come from the sun. Homeowners may only claim spending on the solar water heating system property, not the entire water heating system of the household. The credit is not available for expenses for swimming pools or hot tubs.  The water must be used in your home.  The system must be certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC).

SMALL WIND ENERGY SYSTEM

• Residential Small Wind Turbines: (Review Specific Requirements)
  
  System must have nameplate capacity of not more than 100 kilowatts.