Federal tax credits on qualifying, high-efficiency HVAC equipment have been modified and extended through December 31, 2011 by the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010. This program differs from the program effective in 2009-2010 in the following ways:
- The maximum amount an eligible homeowner may receive in tax credits for purchasing qualifying products, whether those purchases are in the form of upgraded insulation, windows, HVAC equipment or other eligible improvements, will be reduced from $1,500 to $500.
- 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.
- All furnaces and boilers, whether natural gas, propane or oil, must have an AFUE of 95 or above to be eligible for the credit.
- The credit is no longer 30% of qualified residential energy property costs (including labor), but is now equal to an amount not to exceed:
Maximum Tax
Credit Available |
Product Type |
Efficiency Requirements |
| $50 |
Any advanced main air circulating fan |
*See below |
| $150 |
Natural gas, propane, oil furnace or boiler |
95% AFUE |
| $300 |
Split system air conditioner |
16 SEER / 13 EER |
| $300 |
Split system heat pump |
15 SEER / 12.5 EER / 8.5 HSPF |
| $300 |
Package air conditioner |
14 SEER / 12 EER |
| $300 |
Package heat pump |
14 SEER / 12 EER / 8 HSPF |
| $300 |
Package gas / electric |
14 SEER / 12 EER |
*Electricity use of no more than 2% of the total energy use of the furnace |
