Last Call for
Energy Efficiency Homeowner Tax Credits
The Alliance to Save Energy urges
American consumers to give themselves the gift of energy efficiency this holiday
season—and reap the benefits when they file their 2011 federal tax returns—by
taking advantage of tax credits for energy efficiency home improvements.
The tax credits of up to $500 are set to expire on December 31, and Congress
may not renew them for 2012.
“The outlook for renewal of federal energy
efficiency tax incentives is uncertain at best,” stated Alliance President
Kateri Callahan, “so we encourage homeowners to complete those upgrades before
the ball drops in Times Square at midnight on New Year’s Eve.
“Making efficiency improvements this year will
lower home energy bills and improve home comfort for years to come, while also
reducing 2011 federal income tax bills,” Callahan added. “Energy efficiency is
truly the gift that keeps on giving!”
The specific home improvements that qualify for
tax credits fall into a number of categories:
• Exterior windows, skylights and storm windows.
• Insulation, exterior doors, roofs, storm
doors and products to seal air leaks
such as caulking, weather stripping and foam sealants.
• Highly-efficient heating and cooling
equipment, including central air
conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces, boilers, water heaters and biomass (e.g.
corn) stoves.
• Each product category also must meet specific
energy efficiency requirements, which are spelled out on the Alliance’s tax
credits web page.
• Percentage and/or dollar limits on particular
energy-efficient upgrades include:
• 10% of the cost of insulation and sealing
materials, exterior doors and roofs.
• 10% of the cost, up to $200, of exterior windows
or skylights.
• Up to $300 for electric heat pump water heaters,
electric heat pumps, central air conditioners, biomass stoves and natural gas,
propane or oil water heaters.
• Up to $50 for advanced main air circulating
fans.
• Up to $150 for natural gas, propane or oil
furnace or hot water boilers.
And to see what energy efficiency can do in your
home, check out the Alliance’s home energy tips videos produced with energyNOW!
For more information, visit http://www.ase.org/.
