Charlotte Air Conditioning Repair & Installation Service
Certified & Servicing Leading Brand Manufacturers | Satisfaction Guaranteed
35+ Years Experience | Trusted by Your Friends & Neighbors
Home Air Conditioning Repair - Replacement - Installation - Maintenance
Mr. Zeke Acosta, Owner & Founder | 3915 Stuart Andrew Blvd. Charlotte NC 28217-1534
(704) 527-1889
Tax Credits - The 2009 American Recovery & Reinvestment Act
Energy Efficiency Tax Credits
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed a stimulus bill (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) that made some significant changes to the energy efficiency tax credits. The highlights are:
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Tax credits that were previously effective for 2009, have been extended to 2010 as well.
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Tax credit has been raised from 10% to 30% with a max credit of $1500
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Tax credits that were for a specific dollar amount (ex: $300 for an AC) have been converted to 30% of the cost, which includes installation.
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Furnaces incorporating an advanced Main Air Circulating Fan that uses no more than 2% of the furnace's total energy are eligible for a tax credit of up to 9% of the installed cost of the furnace, up to $1,500.
Summary of Equipment Efficiency Qualifications:
All qualifications in the equipment group must be satisfied to qualify for the credit:
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Split Air Conditioning: 16 SEER & 13 EER
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Split Heat Pump: 15 SEER, 12.5 EER & 8.5 HSPF
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Gas Furnace: 95% AFUE
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Packaged Equipment: 14 SEER, 12 EER & 8 HSPF
Administration:
Administration is the responsibility of the IRS. Actual tax credit amount is based on your personal tax situation and you should consult a tax professional to determine your potential credit. Review and print a copy of your manufacturer's tax credit form for specific qualifying system matches and keep for your records and future tax filing. Please contact your local independent dealer for more details or visit the ENERGY STAR® website.
What is ENERGY STAR?
ENERGY STAR® is a voluntary awareness, communications and marketing campaign developed by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1992 to promote energy efficiency. Leading air conditioner manufacturers has partnered with the EPA to label our high-efficiency systems with the ENERGY STAR® label so homeowners can easily identify those higher-efficiency products that can help reduce pollution problems. Choosing an ENERGY STAR® air conditioner assures homeowners of lower energy bills, improved indoor air quality, attractive design appearance and, most importantly, improved comfort for their home.
Definitions:
SEER - Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating
EER - Energy Efficiency Ratio
HSPF - Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (applies to Heat Pumps only)
AFUE - Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency
*Source: Energy Star, United States Please Note: Only One Coupon or Discount Per Household Per Service Call. Discounts May Not Be Combined with Other Coupons or Special Offers from either Acosta Heating & Cooling or 3rd party Brand Manufacturers. Please Note: Only One Coupon or Discount Per Household Per Service Call. Discounts May Not Be Combined with Other Coupons or Special Offers from either Acosta Heating & Cooling or 3rd party Brand Manufacturers. Acosta Heating & Cooling can not guarantee the rates, terms or availability of 3rd party financing or rebate providers. Rates and rebate offers are subject to change without notice and may be discontinued at any time. Heat Pumps: must be 14 SEER or greater, include an ECM fan motor on the indoor furnace, and have an HSPF of 8.2 or greater: $200 (Existing Home Customer Rebate) OR $300 (New Home Builder Rebate)
Air Conditioners: must be 14 SEER or greater and include an ECM fan motor on the indoor furnace: $200 (Existing Home Customer Rebate) OR $300 (New Home Builder Rebate) Geothermal Heat Pumps: must be 11.5 EER or greater and include an ECM fan motor on the indoor furnace: $200 (Existing Home Customer Rebate) OR $300 (New Home Builder Rebate) - 14.9% (Annual Terms up to 60 Months) for all natural gas equipment purchases & installation when financed with natural gas water heater when on the same contract or natural gas water heater is currently in home. - 17.9% (Annual Terms up to 60 Months) for all natural gas equipment purchases & installation when natural gas water heater is not in home or on the same contract. - HVAC is a common industry term; it stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. A HVAC contractor does what's called a load calculation, taking into account the size and shape of the house, the amount of insulation, the local climate, the house's exposure to the sun, the occupants' habits and temperature choices, and other factors to determine what size unit is needed. - If an air conditioner is too large for the space, the unit will cycle off and on frequently, creating uncomfortable temperature swings and reducing its efficiency; too small and it won't be able cool the home adequately on hot days and could break down more often. - Air conditioning systems marked with an ENERGY STAR® label meet strict US government energy-efficiency guidelines. - The most common mistake is buying a bigger system than needed; it costs more and doesn't do the job as well as one that's the right size. - Some older homes can't accommodate ducts, or the work is extremely difficult and expensive; in those cases, consider ductless air conditioning, also called mini-split systems. - Choose a major residential air conditioner brand manufacturer such as Lennox and Trane. - The Consortium for Energy Efficiency and the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute offer an online database to find energy efficient central air conditioning products. - HVAC contractor referrals are available through Air Conditioning Contractors of America and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Association. Or search for contractors, such as Acosta Heating & Cooling, with North American Technician Excellence certification. (Cllick to view other important Acosta Heating & Cooling certifications and professional accreditations.) - Get several estimates. Ask about, years of servie, training and experience. Check references, search for complaints with the Better Business Bureau and make sure that the contractor is properly bonded and insured, as well as licensed in your state. Acosta Heating & Cooling is a long standing Better Business Bureau "Accredited Business," with Owner, Zeke Acosta, serving as a member of the BBB Board of Directors. - Check the thermostat to verify that it is calling for cooling.
Acosta Heating & Cooling Discounts & Coupons
Air Conditioner Manufacturer Rebates, Special Offers & Discounts
Duke Energy Air Conditioner Purchase Incentive Offer
Get Cash Back Back Under Duke Energy's Smart SaverTM Rebate Offer
Duke Energy's Smart SaverTM pays cash rebates to residential customers, participating HVAC dealers and home builders who install qualifying high efficiency heating and cooling equipment in a new or existing home. It’s just one way Duke Energy is promoting energy efficiency and helping our customers lower their energy costs. Acosta Heating & Cooling is a participating vendor for this program. See your Acosta Heating & Cooling sales representative for more details.
Incentives are paid for qualifying air conditioners installed on or after June 1, 2009 for Duke Energy Carolinas electric residential retail customers residing in a single-family home, condominium, duplex or mobile home. Incentives are paid after the qualified system is installed and operating.
Smart SaverTM incentive amounts:
Please Note: Acosta Heating & Cooling can not guarantee the rates, terms or availability of 3rd party financing or rebate providers. Rates and rebate offers are subject to change without notice and may be discontinued at any time.
Piedmont Natural Gas Air Conditioner with Gas Furnance Special Financing
Qualify for Low-Rate Financing from Piedmont Natural Gas
Piedmont Natural Gas residential customers may qualify for special low-rate financing of new natural gas appliances, including combination new gas furnace and air conditioning systems, when they are purchased through an approved Gas Advantage Dealer or Contractor. Acosta Heating & Cooling participates in this program. See your Acosta Heating & Cooling sales representative for more details.
Current Residential Equipment Financing Rates:
Please Note: Acosta Heating & Cooling can not guarantee the rates, terms or availability of 3rd party financing or rebate providers. Rates and rebate offers are subject to change without notice and may be discontinued at any time.
Also Note: Natural gas assisted heat pumps do not qualify for financing under this program; Installations must be done by an approved PNG contractor; Financing is based on approved credit. 0% down with approved credit.
American General Financial Services Air Conditioner Home Improvement Loans
With a home improvement plan from American General Financial Services, you can purchase and install a new air conditioner in your home immediately. The home improvement plan is a convenient, easy way for you to finance home improvements through AGFS, a leading expert in providing financial services to families nationwide. What kinds of home improvements will it pay for? With the home improvement plan, you can purchase all kinds of products or services to improve the value or look of your home. So no matter how large or small the changes are that you have in mind, you can get started today.
Will it fit my budget?
Because American General Financial Services provides affordable financing to more than 2 million customers across the country, we have developed payment plans that fit virtually any budget.
How do I apply?
To get started, apply online or call American General Financial Services toll-free at 1-877-632-7242.
Please Note: Acosta Heating & Cooling can not guarantee the rates, terms or availability of 3rd party financing or rebate providers. Rates and rebate offers are subject to change without notice and may be discontinued at any time. All loans subject to our normal credit policies.
More Money-Saving Ways to Reduce Home Air Conditioning Costs
Adding central air conditioning to an existing forced-air heating system in a 2,000-square-foot house averages $3,500-$4,000, and can be done by two technicians in 2-3 days, with little or no change to the existing ducting; if ducts must be added, the work time doubles, as does the cost to $7,000-$8,000 or more, according to ThisOldHouse.com.
Estimates for a older, smaller house of 800-1,000 square feet with no existing duct work run $2,100-$6,000, or as high as $10,000 or more, depending on the type and quality of equipment installed, the amount of space available for installing ducts and vents, and the local economy.
What should be included?
- The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute provides a brief explanation of how central air conditioning works. The California Consumer Energy Center offers detailed information on central air systems and specifics on ducts and vents.
- Most central air conditioning systems are a split system, with the heaviest, noisiest, heat-generating components installed outdoors, and an evaporator coil indoors. The evaporator is connected to a blower (often part of a furnace) which distributes the chilled air through the home's vents. ThisOldHouse.com gives an overview. The other option is called a packaged central air conditioner; the condenser, compressor and evaporator are all in a cabinet which is installed on the roof or next to the house.
- Residential central air conditioning is rated by a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio or SEER system. Since 2006, units sold in the US must have a SEER of at least 13.
Additional cost considerations:
Shopping for central air conditioning:
Air Conditioning Money-Saving Tips
1. Avoid locating your air conditioner in direct sunlight-particularly on the south side of your home-where it will be forced to work much harder to do its job.
2. Have your system checked yearly!
3. Keep leaves , grass, and storage at least 2 feet away from outside unit.
4. Clean outside coil with water monthly.
5. Help your air conditioner "breathe easier." Clean or replace the filter at least once a month this summer. A filter clogged with dust, pollen or soot "smothers" the air conditioner and wastes energy and your money. Let your monthly electric bill be your regular reminder to clean or change the filter.
6. When the "A/C' is on, shut off kitchen, bath and other ventilating fans as soon as they've done their job. In just one hour, these fans can blow away a houseful of costly, cooled air.
7. Annual service of your air conditioning equipment by a qualified service technician can reduce operating costs as much as 20%, extend the life of the system, and improve safety and air quality.
8. Remember that air conditioning systems that are ten years old or more are most likely not operating at peak efficiency. Installation of a high efficiency system can often cut your electric bill by 50% or more, and will more than pay for itself over the next few years.
9. In light of current energy concerns and to make the most efficient use of your utility dollars, establish your comfort temperature, Set your thermostat and Forget you have one. It takes less energy to cool air 4-5 degrees than it does to cool air 8-10 degrees.
Before you call for an emergency service tech to come and fix your system. We recommend trying these 3 tips, they will save you $$$$and time.
- Check your breaker box to verify if the breaker is on.
- Check outdoor fuses or disconnect
Sources: costhelper.com, aaaindoorairquality.com
