2011 TAX REBATE INFORMATION FOR HVAC:
The "Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010" HR4835 was signed into law on December 17, 2010. In 2011 qualifying product efficiencies and rebates will be as follows:
- Gas Furnace 95% AFU
- Split System
- Air Conditioners – 16 SEER/13 EER
- Heat Pumps — 15 SEER/12.5 EER/ 8.5 HSPF
- Package
- Air Conditioners – 14 SEER/12 EER
- Heat Pumps – 14 SEER/12 EER/8HSPF
- Gas/Electrics – 14 SEER/12 EER
- Advanced main air circulating fan
- $150
-
- $300
- $300
-
- $300
- $300
- $300
- $50
The $500 cap is reduced by the total amount of residential energy property credits a homeowner has claimed for purchases between 2006 and 2010. If you have already claimed credits of $500 or more from improvements made prior to 2011, you will be unable to claim new credits for improvements made during 2011.
Thermostat Do's and Dont's:
Be careful setting your thermostat back while you are away from your home on a really hot day.
Cooling does not typically work like heating - changing the temperature 40 to 60 degrees. Cooling only changes the temperature from the air going into your system and coming out of your vents by 18 to 22 degrees depending on the humidity and temperature in your home and outside your home.
A safe rule of thumb for air conditioning is not to exceed 5 degrees of set back. That means if you're not home and you typically set your thermostat for 73 degrees, do not set it higher than 78 degrees. If you set the thermostat to come on at 5:00 and you are coming home at 6:00, depending on the temperature outside you may not get it to drop below 78 or 77 until it starts cooling off outside or until the sun goes down. If it's a 100 degrees outside, it may not drop until the sun goes down. The best thing for air conditioning is to set it at a comfortable temperature and leave it through the day like 75 degrees and your system should maintain that and still be comfortable when you get home. Then you you arrive home you can turn it down to 72.
WHAT IS YOUR TIGHT HOME DOING TO YOU?
The 1970's energy crises created "tight homes" in the construction practice; tightly sealed, heavily insulated and very energy efficient. While these new construction practices help to conserve energy, they also lock in allergenic particles, infectious agents and toxic compounds. Your beautiful, "clean" home could be a major source of airborne contaminates that could prevent you and your family from feeling healthy and energetic. Indoor Air Quality products can help to eliminate those harmful levels in your home.
