Get a $2000 tax credit on your new heat pump

The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act has brought a lot of changes to the tax laws of the United States. Among these changes is the extension of the tax credit for residential energy-efficient property, including heat pumps. If you are planning to install a heat pump, it is important to understand the details of the tax credit and how to qualify for it.

What is the Heat Pump Tax Credit?

The heat pump tax credit is a federal tax credit that allows homeowners to claim a credit for a portion of the cost of installing a qualified energy-efficient heat pump system in their home. The credit is designed to encourage the adoption of energy-efficient technologies and reduce carbon emissions.

Under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, the heat pump tax credit is equal to 30% of the cost of the qualified equipment, including installation costs, up to $2000 maximum. This credit can be claimed each calendar year for a qualified equipment installation in that year.

Qualifying for the Heat Pump Tax Credit:

To qualify for the heat pump tax credit, your heat pump system must meet certain requirements. First, the system must be installed in your primary residence, which means that it cannot be installed in a rental property or a second home. The system must also be a qualified energy-efficient heat pump, which means that it meets certain energy efficiency standards set by the government.

The efficiency requirements are defined in terms of the new 2023 DOE efficiency standards and definitions. These changes are outlined in this memo.

The requirements for a qualified energy-efficient heat pump depend on the type of system you are installing. This table outlines the requirements. The requirements vary for ducted package units and split systems, and ductless mini-split systems.

It is important to note that the tax credit only applies to the cost of the qualified equipment and installation, not to any other costs associated with the installation, such as permits, ductwork, or electrical upgrades. Further information regarding this tax credit may be found here.

Claiming the Heat Pump Tax Credit:

Please consult your tax professional on how to claim the tax credit. You must file the appropriate IRS form with your tax return. You will need to provide information about the qualified energy-efficient property you installed, including the make and model of the system and the total cost of the equipment and installation. Blue Ridge Heating and Air will provide this documentation for any qualified system that we install.

Conclusion:

The heat pump tax credit is a valuable incentive for homeowners to invest in energy-efficient technologies and reduce their carbon footprint. If you are planning to install a heat pump in your home, it is important to ensure that your system meets the requirements for the tax credit and that you keep accurate records of the cost of the equipment and installation. By claiming the tax credit, you can not only save money on your taxes but also enjoy the benefits of a more energy-efficient and comfortable home.

Importance of clean filters for indoor air quality and equipment longevity.

Air filters can be hard to keep up with. They need to be replaced often, and many people don't believe that they're necessary to replace. But this is not true; in fact, air filters improve the air quality inside your house, and keeping them clean results in longer lasting air systems. This is much cheaper than having to replace them more than needed!

There are many cons relating to dirty air filters. First of all, they may cause dirty ducts. We offer a service for duct cleaning if this happens to be the case. You can read about it in our "Getting your Ducts in a row" blog.

Dirty air filters may also lead to impure air and foul smells in your home (see more at https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/air-cleaners-and-air-filters-home). But the huge issue is that these uncleaned filters are at a high risk of damaging the air system in your home, and creating higher priced problems further down the road.

Not only are there bad effects of not replacing your air filter, but there are benefits to changing them and keeping them clean! Regularly changed filters help reduce viruses and other contaminants that may be in the air. And the best part is, they do not disturb your air system, and even help them last for a longer time.

Need help with your air filter/system? Our services offers the help you may need! Also, filters may be purchased from our online filter store here.

Get the Most out of your HVAC System

While we would all love a home comfort system that you just set and forget without an additional thought, that is not the case. First and foremost, for the continued optimal operation of your system, seasonal maintenance is a must. That is why at Blue Ridge Heating and Air, the first year has been provided “on us”, and you can expect a call from us about six months after a system installation to schedule your first appointment. With regular maintenance you will experience the immediate benefits of maximum energy savings, clean and comfortable air in your home, dependability, and longevity. The most important benefit is the validation of your manufacturer’s warranty. Most manufacturer warranties are at least 5 years for parts, and 10 years if your installer registered your serial numbers with the manufacturer.

A trustworthy HVAC company will partner with you to keep your system running safely and comfortably for its entire life. That begins with preventive maintenance, but sometimes includes an emergency visit due to a part failure or system malfunction. We all understand that oftentimes the cost of service can be challenging. Here are some tips to minimize your need for billable service throughout the year and especially when an untimely breakdown occurs.

• Replace your air filter(s) regularly. Aside from how it affects your own health, dust and dirt collecting on your coils will significantly reduce the efficiency of heat transfer in your system. It can act like an insulating blanket. This causes your system to work harder, and consume more energy. In fact, a study completed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory at UC-Berkeley found that typical coil fouling from dust and environment effectively cuts the life of the coil in half.

• Keep debris and overgrowth away from the outdoor unit.

• Make sure your switches, breakers, and disconnects stay in the “On” position.

• Make sure your gas valves are in the open position. In the case of LP (propane), be sure there is sufficient gas in the tank. A level under 15% can begin to affect the performance of your furnace.

• Make sure your thermostat mode is set properly for the operation you desire, heating or cooling, and the temperature is adjusted correctly. Additionally, make sure you have working batteries if your thermostat requires them.

• Be sure that all your supply and return grilles/registers are open and not blocked.

• If you have a gas furnace, make sure that you have carbon monoxide detectors installed on every floor in your home and near sleeping areas.

Remember, your new system warranty only offers coverage for parts that fail and possibly the labor to replace them. To avoid billable service calls, be sure to look over this list and you may wind up being your own “favorite service tech”. If you are unsure of any of these steps, please do not hesitate to contact Blue Ridge Heating and Air. Ultimately, our goal is your safety and comfort.