Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency

Many people would like to be more energy efficient and go green with their home energy use and appliances.  Solar panels and solar powered water heaters are a great way of going green but at this point can be costly.  Here is the new program to accumulate federal tax credits by greening up your home and saving money on your utilities.

Tax Credits for Consumers:
Home Improvements

Tax credits are now available for home improvements:

* must be “placed in service” from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010
* must be for taxpayer’s principal residence
* $1,500 is the maximum total amount that can be claimed for all products placed in service in 2009 & 2010 for most home improvements, EXCEPT for geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, solar panels, fuel cells, and windmills which are not subject to this cap, and are in effect through 2016
* must have a Manufacturer Certification Statement3 to qualify
* for record keeping, save your receipts and the Manufacturer Certification Statement3
* improvements made in 2009 will be claimed on your 2009 taxes (filed by April 15, 2010) — use IRS Tax Form 5695 (2009 version) — it will be available late 2009 or early 2010
* If you are building a new home, you can qualify for the tax credit for geothermal heat pumps, photovoltaics, solar water heaters, small wind systems and fuel cells, but not the tax credits for windows, doors, insulation, roofs, HVAC, or non-solar water heaters. More.

SUMMARY OF TAX CREDITS FOR HOMEOWNERS:

Water Heaters Gas, Oil, Propane Water Heater Energy Factor >= 0.82
or a thermal efficiency of at least 90%. 30% of cost, up to $1,5002

Not all ENERGY STAR gas storage and gas condensing water heaters will qualify for the tax credit. All ENERGY STAR gas tankless models will qualify.

All ENERGY STAR gas tankless water heaters will qualify.

View ENERGY STAR criteria.

For a partial list of qualifying products go to the Air Conditioning, Heating, and refrigeration Institute (AHRI) Exit ENERGY STAR
Electric Heat Pump Water Heater Same criteria as ENERGY STAR: Energy Factor >= 2.0 30% of cost, up to $1,5002

All ENERGY STAR electric heat pump water heaters qualify for the tax credit.

Biomass Stove:

Stove which burns biomass fuel to heat a home or heat water.

Thermal efficiency rating of at least 75% as measured using a lower heating value.
30% of cost, up to $1,5002

Geo-Thermal Heat Pump:

Same criteria as ENERGY STAR:

Closed Loop:
EER >= 14.1
COP >= 3.3

Open Loop:
EER >= 16.2
COP >= 3.6

Direct Expansion:
EER >= 15
COP >= 3.5
30% of the cost

All ENERGY STAR geo-thermal heat pumps qualify for the tax credit.

Use IRS Form 5695 PDF Exit ENERGY STAR

Must be “placed into service” before December 31, 2016.

Solar Energy Systems & Solar Water Heating:

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 the dwelling.

The system must be certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC).
30% of cost

All ENERGY STAR solar water heaters qualify for the tax credit.

Use IRS Form 5695 PDF Exit ENERGY STAR

Must be placed in service before December 31, 2016.
Photovoltaic Systems Photovoltaic systems must provide electricity for the residence, and must meet applicable fire and electrical code requirement. 30% of cost

Use IRS Form 5695 PDF Exit ENERGY STAR

Must be placed in service before December 31, 2016.

Small Wind Energy Systems Residential & Small Wind Energy Systems 30% of cost:

Use IRS Form 5695 PDF Exit ENERGY STAR

Must be placed in service before December 31, 2016.

Fuel Cells Residential & Fuel Cell and microturbine system:

Efficiency of at least 30% and must have a capacity of at least 0.5 kW.
30% of the cost, up to $1500 per .5 kW of power capacity

Use IRS Form 5695 PDF Exit ENERGY STAR

Must be placed in service before December 31, 2016.
Cars Hybrid gasoline-electric, diesel, battery-electric, alternative fuel, and fuel cell vehicles Based on a formula determined by vehicle weight, technology, and fuel economy compared to base year models

There is a 60,000 vehicle limit per manufacturer before a phase-out period begins. Toyota and Honda have already been phased out. Credit is still available for Ford, GM and Nissan.

For more information visit: Fueleconomy.gov Exit ENERGY STAR

Use IRS Form 8910 PDF Exit ENERGY STAR for hybrid vehicles purchased for personal use.

Use IRS Form 3800 PDF Exit ENERGY STAR for hybrid vehicles purchased for business purposes.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles $2,500–$7,500:

The first 250,000 vehicles sold get the full tax credit (then it phases out like the hybrid vehicle tax credits).

Effective January 1, 2009.

¹Either the 2001 Supplement of the 2000 International Energy Conservation Code or the 2004 Supplement of the 2003 International Energy Conservation Code.

²Subject to a $1,500 maximum per homeowner for all improvements combined.

³A Manufacturer’s Certification is a signed statement from the manufacturer certifying that the product or component qualifies for the tax credit. The IRS encourages manufacturers to provide these Certifications on their website to facilitate identification of qualified products. Taxpayers must keep a copy of the certification statement for their records, but do not have to submit a copy with their tax return.

⁴Additional information on exterior window features may be viewed at Anatomy of an Energy Efficient Window.

⁵Biomass Fuel means any plant-derived fuel available on a renewable or recurring basis, including agricultural crops and trees, wood and wood waste and residues (including wood pellets), plants (including aquatic plants), grasses, residues, and fibers.

The IRS defines “placed in service” as when the property is ready and available for use.

Efficient Cars:

Starting January 1, 2009, there is a new tax credit for Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, starting at $2,500 and capped at $7,500 for cars and trucks (the credit is based on the capacity of the battery system). The first 250,000 vehicles sold get the full tax credit (then it phases out like the hybrid vehicle tax credits).

Tax credits are available to buyers of hybrid gasoline-electric, diesel, battery-electric, alternative fuel, and fuel cell vehicles. The tax credit amount is based on a formula determined by vehicle weight, technology, and fuel economy compared to base year models. These credits are available for vehicles placed in service starting January 1, 2006. For hybrid and diesel vehicles made by each manufacturer, the credit will be phased out over 15 months starting after that manufacturer has sold 60,000 eligible vehicles. For vehicles made by manufacturers that have not reached the end of the phase-out, the credits will end for vehicles placed in service after December 31, 2010. See the IRS Website for updated information.

Eligible contractors need to fill out IRS Form 8908 to get the tax credit. The IRS has provided the following guidance regarding the tax credits for constructing energy efficient new homes available under the Energy Policy Act of 2005:

• IRS Notice 2006–27 provides guidance for the credit for building energy efficient homes other than manufactured homes.
• IRS Notice 2006–28 provides guidance for the credit for building energy efficient manufactured homes.

Home builders are eligible for a $2,000 tax credit for a new energy efficient home that achieves 50% energy savings for heating and cooling over the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and supplements. At least 1/5 of the energy savings must come from building envelope improvements. This credit also applies to contractors of manufactured homes conforming to Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards.

There is also a $1,000 tax credit to the producer of a new manufactured home achieving 30% energy savings for heating and cooling over the 2004 IECC and supplements (at least 1/3 of the savings must come from building envelope improvements), or a manufactured home meeting the requirements established by EPA under the ENERGY STAR program.

Please note that, with the exception of the tax credit for an ENERGY STAR qualified manufactured home, these tax credits are not directly linked to ENERGY STAR. Therefore, a builder of an ENERGY STAR qualified home may be eligible for a tax credit but it is not guaranteed.

These tax credits apply to new homes located in the United States whose construction is substantially completed after August 8, 2005 and that are acquired from the eligible contractor for use as a residence from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2009.

Tax Deductions for Commercial Buildings:

A tax deduction of up to $1.80 per square foot is available to owners or designers of new or existing commercial buildings that save at least 50% of the heating and cooling energy of a building that meets ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2001. Partial deductions of up to $.60 per square foot can be taken for measures affecting any one of three building systems: the building envelope, lighting, or heating and cooling systems. These tax deductions are available for systems “placed in service” from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2013.