As a homeowner, taking advantage of a federal tax credit can save you money while making your house more comfortable and energy efficient. But you have to act soon: The 2011 tax credits for energy-efficient equipment will expire Dec. 31.
Upgrading your air conditioning and heating system with higher-efficiency equipment can significantly reduce your utility bills. It also can increase the total value of your home while reducing the negative environmental effects of excessive energy consumption.
Before making your purchase, however, do your homework — and ask lots of questions of your air conditioning and heating contractor. The government imposes energy efficiency requirements for each type of equipment to qualify for the tax credits; make sure your purchase meets the criteria. In addition, save your receipts and the Manufacturer Certification Statement to use at tax time.

The tax credits are for primary, existing residences only. Among credits for energy-efficient residential equipment:

• Adding an advanced main air circulating fan will allow you to receive a $50 credit. If it makes better economic sense, you can take a full 30 percent off the cost of the fan itself.
• If you decide an upgrade is in order for your central air conditioning, you will be eligible for a $300 credit – with installation cost included – if you use products with a SEER ratingof 14. 
• Upgrading your electric heat pump will enable you to receive a $300 credit if the unit has a SEER rating of at least 14.
• Thinking about upgrading your furnace or boiler? You can get a $150 credit for equipment with a minimum AFUE rating of 90 percent.

Other products, such as water heaters, insulation and biomass heating stoves, may also be eligible for 2011 tax credits.
For more information about federal tax credits or energy-efficient air conditioning and heating systems, visit AC Pro or contact your local AC Pro.

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about federal tax credits and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

AC Pro Home Comfort Blog

In most households, the heating and air conditioning system accounts for about 50 percent of annual energy costs. If your unit is more than 10 years old, your air conditioning cost of ownership may be even higher. Upgrading to a high-efficiency unit can yields savings of 30 to 50 percent on utility bills, and it also increases the value of your home.

That said, there is some variability in savings. When calculating the lifetime costs of new cooling equipment, consider:

• Frequency of use: If you only use your air conditioner a few weeks out of the year, it’s unlikely you’ll notice any significant difference in overall air conditioning cost of ownership by spending extra on a super-efficient unit. If you use it for months on end, however, there’s much potential for savings.
• SEER: All air conditioners have a SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating. This measures how efficient a unit is in relation to the amount of electricity it consumes. The higher the SEER number the better. All new air conditioning units must have a SEER rating of at least 13, though higher-rated models are available. Each additional SEER point will cut electricity consumption by about 10 percent.
• Cost of electricity: If your electricity cost is very low, an expensive upgrade again may not be worthwhile.
• Cost of the new unit: High-efficiency units cost more upfront. But bear in mind that the initial cost of the unit, plus installation, is typically only about 25 percent of your total air conditioning cost of ownership. The majority of expenses over the life of the unit will be utility bills resulting from operating the unit, plus maintenance and repairs.
• Rebates and tax credits: Manufacturer rebates and federal tax credits can significantly lower upfront expenses.

Speaking with a professional contractor will help you determine the cost-to-savings ratio in your local climate and your Southern California or Las Vegas home.

At AC Pro we’ll be happy to answer any questions or help you locate a contractor in your area who can discuss your potential savings in detail.

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air conditioning and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

AC PRO services the Southwestern United States including Southern California and Nevada.  Visit our website to see our special offers to get started today!

AC Pro Home Comfort Blog

Has your air conditioner picked the worst time to die? It’s summertime in the Southwest, and those of us living in California and Nevada know that you can’t get by for long without your air conditioner.

So how do you find a new air conditioning system quickly that fits both your home and your budget? Here are some key factors to keep in mind when evaluating a new air conditioner installation:

• Sizing. Don’t assume you need to buy the same size A/C that you had before. Homes have become more tightly sealed over the years as homeowners increase insulation and add weather stripping. Oversized air conditioners waste energy and won’t keep your home comfortable, allowing large temperature swings and other irregularities. Proper sizing is complex, so talk to your local air conditioner contractor for a professional assessment of your home’s needs for a new air conditioner installation.
• Your duct system. Your contractor should inspect your ductwork prior to installing a new air conditioning system. Some retrofitting may be required to allow the new system to function correctly and energy efficiently. If leaks are found, your ductwork should be sealed. Your home may be lacking return registers, which are a key to proper airflow in your home. If your home does not have a duct system, consider choosing a ductless mini-split A/C system.
• Tax credits. Choosing the most efficient Energy Star equipment will save you money on utilities right away and may allow you to take a federal tax credit. This may be a good time to consider going solar. Solar power and air conditioner installation is much less complex these days and more affordable than ever thanks to the most generous tax credits of 30 percent with no cap. Your local contractor can help you choose qualifying systems.

You can take the first step toward a cool, comfortable home by contacting AC Pro. We represent a network of high-quality, experienced heating and air conditioner contractors throughout Nevada and California. You can request competitive quotes from multiple experts online, or you can call us and we’ll help you get started.

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about replacing your air conditioner and other HVAC topics, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

AC PRO services the Southwestern United States including Southern California and Nevada.  To get started, check out our website or see our special offers.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

AC Pro Home Comfort Blog

Many homeowners choose central air conditioners, because they provide an even distribution of cool air throughout the home — especially important during the heat of California or Nevada summers. Also important to many homeowners these days: saving energy, and, therefore, money on their utility bills. A high-efficiency air conditioning unit provides a comfortable home and begins to pay for itself through energy savings the day you install it.

A few benefits of energy-efficient A/C units provided by air conditioning installation contractors:

• Long-term savings. Because your unit can run on less energy, you save money on each month’s utility bill. High-efficiency units are built to last, so those savings really add up over the equipment’s lifetime.
• Tax incentives. Many high-efficiency units qualify for a 2011 tax credit. See also the AC Pro Rebates and Tax Credits page.
• Environmental friendliness. Consuming less energy means your household contributes to fewer greenhouse gas emissions, meaning that high-efficiency units are good for the environment. EnergyStar central air conditioners are vetted for high efficiency.
• They’re an attractive option for reselling your home. Do you plan to move? A high-efficiency A/C system can be a selling point. Everyone wants to save money and energy.

To appreciate these benefits, don’t simply look for the largest unit with the highest Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating.

Good air conditioning installation contractors are trained to properly size an A/C unit considering your home’s size and design, among other factors. For help, please contact an AC Pro air conditioner contractor. We represent the best air conditioning installation contractors in California and Nevada.

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about high-efficiency air conditioning and other HVAC topics, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

AC PRO services the Southwestern United States including Southern California and Nevada.  To get started, check out our website or see our special offers.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

AC Pro Home Comfort Blog

Are you on the fence about replacing your old appliances or installing new ones? Maybe this will help: The U.S. government is offering financial incentives to help homeowners invest in energy-efficient appliances and systems. Tax credits for some energy-efficient purchases expired Dec. 31, 2010. But you may still be eligible for 2011 tax credits. Here’s a breakdown of credits available now.

For some purchases, the federal government is offering a tax credit of 10 percent of the cost up to $500 — or, for some equipment, a specific amount from $50 to $300 — expires Dec. 31, 2011. This is for improvements made to your primary residence and does not apply to second homes or rentals. Those purchases are:

• Biomass stoves
• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning
• Insulation
• Metal and asphalt roofs
• Nonsolar water heaters
• Windows and doors

A tax credit of 30 percent of your total cost applies to the next category, and there is no upper limit. This credit expires Dec. 31, 2016, and applies to existing homes and new construction, as well as to first and second homes. It does not apply to rentals. This credit applies to:

• Geothermal heat pumps
• Residential small wind turbines
• Solar energy systems

Finally, the government is offering a credit of 30 percent of your cost for residential fuel cells and microturbine systems, up to $500 per half-kilowatt of capacity. This credit applies to existing and new-construction homes. Second homes and rentals do not qualify. This credit also expires Dec. 31, 2016.

Specific requirements apply to each category. For details on each credit, the EnergyStar website can help. To claim your credit, you must save your receipts and the Manufacturer Certification Statement.

If you’d like assistance from a professional in navigating the rules and regulations of rebates and tax credits while you make an investment that’s right for your home, please contact the technicians at ACPro.

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about tax rebates and other HVAC topics, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

AC PRO services the Southwestern United States including Southern California and Nevada.  To get started, check out our website or see our special offers.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

AC Pro Home Comfort Blog

If you have been trying to keep your old air conditioning unit operating for another season or two, you may actually be costing yourself money. The new high efficiency air conditioning systems being installed today can cut utility bills in half, and they come with an assortment of federal and state rebates that make them incredibly affordable.

When shopping for high-efficiency air conditioning systems, it is critical that you purchase a unit that carries the U.S. government Energy Star label. There are strict standards that must be followed to achieve Energy Star status. The label means that the system will run efficiently enough to cut electric bills as much as 40 percent per month. The government ranks air conditioning and heating systems based on their SEER rating which stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio.

The government requires that all systems currently on the market operate at a minimum SEER rating of 13. If you have a model that was made in 2005 or earlier, it probably has a SEER rating of 10 which means that switching to a 13 would save 30 percent on utility bills. However, you can achieve even more savings if you go to a higher SEER rating, which is recommended for Nevada and California because of the extended cooling season which requires the air conditioner to operate longer.

The top high-efficiency air conditioning systems will carry a SEER rating of 23 but they are also the most expensive. However, there are federal tax credits that may be available when you purchase one of these units and state rebates from California or Nevada as well. Several utility companies are also offering rebates because you are reducing the load on their system. Your AC Pro technicians can help you evaluate which system is best for your home and which systems qualify for rebates and tax credits.

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about high efficiency A/C systems and other HVAC topics, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

AC PRO services the Southwestern United States including Southern California and Nevada.  To get started, check out our website or see our special offers.

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Popular Misconception
While people used to think only homes with big yards could have geothermal heating cooling systems, the possibilities now favor even small lots.

Geothermal systems today are reasonable for most yards.  This is good news because of the tremendous energy savings, plus significant tax credits that come with a switch to geothermal.

At first, geothermal installation required lots of yard space because long trenches had to be dug.  But breakthroughs in technology now allow vertical boreholes as deep as 500 feet.

Many geothermal heating cooling systems are being put on smaller urban lots; and contractors say all they need is land the size of a parking space. Federal tax credits now being offered will allow you to recoup 30 percent of the cost of equipment, installation and landscaping costs, so you digging up the yard won’t be as (financially) painful.

How It’s Done
Powerful equipment is used to drill three to five holes near your house.  If space is more restrictive, extremely deep holes are bored.  Pipes are looped together deep under the ground.

Now that advanced technology has made it possible, another new plan that can be used effectively is to install pipes that twist and curl in short loops, like a spring, thus maintaining exposure of pipe length without large space requirements.  Thus, even a horizontal system can be put on a quarter-acre yard.

The method of drilling deep vertical holes is still the preferred and most practical solution for limited yard space.

How to Make Your Decision
Because of the highly technical nature of geothermal heating and cooling systems, you will have to work with a responsible local company to decide what type and what size your system should be.  While some homes will require only a few feet of surface for drilling, larger homes usually require more space.

Boring machines now can steer around obstructions under the ground, but soil composition and terrain will differ from place to place.

The types of geothermal systems a contractor will consider should include:

• Horizontal (typical of, but not limited to, new home construction, or places where there’s plenty of yard space)
• Vertical (often the best choice where your surface area is limited)
• Pond and Lake (if you have these water bodies then special systems can make use of them)
• Open-Loop System (if clean well or surface water can be used to circulate through the system)

Geothermal heating and cooling requires a bit of effort for installation, but the finished product is extremely efficient, easy to maintain and quiet. If you’ve been thinking about making a switch to geothermal, talk to one of the contractors in the ACPro network. With contractors throughout Southern California and Nevada, there’s a good chance we’ve got an expert in your neighborhood.

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about geothermal heating, cooling and other HVAC topics, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

AC PRO services the Southwestern United States including Southern California and Nevada.  To get started, check out our website or see our special offers.

AC Pro Home Comfort Blog

The end of 2010 brought the expiration of many, but not all, federal energy efficiency tax credits.  If you are worried that you missed the opportunity to take advantage of a valuable tax credit for improvements in your home’s energy efficiency, it’s still not too late to save on newly installed heating and air conditioning equipment.  Federal tax credits for sustainable technology like geothermal heat pump systems are valid through 2016, so you still have the opportunity to save money while increasing the value of your home.

If you’ve been wondering about the advantages of geothermal, these tax breaks are providing an excellent reason to learn more. As you probably know, geothermal systems pull air from an area below ground that remains a constant temperature year-round. Any ENERGY STAR geothermal heat pump system qualifies for the credit, so you have complete freedom to choose the equipment that best fits your needs.

The tax credit covers 30 percent of equipment costs and there is no upper limit to how much you can spend on new equipment.  Unlike many other tax credits, installation costs are also included, so you can save on the entire cost of upgrading your heating and cooling system.  Most geothermal systems also provide hot water for your home, so you can reap even more savings on monthly utility bills.

Geothermal heat pump systems are clean, sustainable, and extremely energy efficient, and the climate is California and Nevada is especially well suited for this type of technology.  Even though the tax credit is valid through 2016, there is no reason to wait; you’ll start seeing energy savings immediately with a new geothermal heat pump system.

Most people are not familiar with the different geothermal equipment and technology available.  An ACPRO certified technician has the knowledge and expertise to help you find the geothermal heat pump system that is the best fit for your home and your family’s heating and cooling needs.  Call AC Pro today to find a dealer near you, request a quote, or learn more about how geothermal energy can improve the energy efficiency in your home and save you money.

AC PRO services the Southwestern United States including Southern California and Nevada.  To get started, check out our website or see our special offers.

AC Pro Home Comfort Blog

If you want to save energy, buying energy efficient products is the way to go. The government and energy companies are even making it easier for you to do so by offering energy rebate programs. In fact, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 designated $300 million toward state-sponsored energy rebate programs to encourage consumers to buy energy efficient appliances.

Here are some energy rebates available only to California residents. You may not only qualify for some of these hefty rebates, but you will also have a lowered energy bill.

California Cash for Appliances Rebate Program

Administered by the California Energy Commission, the California Cash for Appliances Rebate Program awards you for buying energy-efficient appliances and recycling your old ones. The program works like this:

-          Buy an eligible energy-efficient appliance.

-          Recycle your old appliance with a certified recycler

-          Receive your rebate upon proper verification that you recycled your old appliance

Which Appliances are Eligible?

Initially, the only eligible appliances for energy rebates in this program were energy efficient refrigerators, room air conditioners, and clothes washers. But on July 29, 2010, the California Energy Commission introduced the Cash for Appliances PLUS rebate program. This program expanded the eligible energy efficient appliances to also include freezers, dishwashers, water heaters, and heating & air conditioning systems. (These appliances must be Energy Star rated).

How Much Money are the Energy Rebates per Appliance?

It depends upon the appliance. The following is a brief listing of appliances and their rebate amounts taken from the California Cash for Appliances website:

• Refrigerators – $200
• Clothes Washers – $100
• Room air conditioners – up to $50
• Dishwashers – $100
• Freezers – $50
• Water heater with electric heat pump – $300
• Water heater/high performance gas storage – $100
• Water heater/solar (electricity or natural gas backup) – $750
• Central air conditioner – $500 to $1000
• Air source heat pump – $500 to $1000
• Gas boiler – $300

These are substantial rebate amounts. But before you rush out and buy one of these energy efficient appliances, make sure that you read the exact requirements of the program detailed on the California Cash for Appliances website.

Programs like the California Cash for Appliances Rebate Program make it easy for you to buy energy efficient products—PLUS it puts money in your pocket!

A qualified heating and air conditioning technician can answer your questions about rebates available to you.  Find one here at ACPro!

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about energy rebates for California residents and other HVAC topics, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

AC PRO services the Southwestern United States including Southern California and Nevada.  To get started, check out our website or see our special offers.

AC Pro Home Comfort Blog