Hurry! Federal Tax Credits Expire on 12/31

Up to half of the energy used in a home goes towards heating and cooling, making it all the more important that air conditioning systems operate efficiently. To promote energy conservation, the federal government offers tax credits for certain home improvements that save energy, but homeowners will have to act soon to take advantage of them. The federal tax credits expire at the end of this year.

A federal tax credit of 10 percent of the installation costs for an air conditioning system, up to $500, is available until December 31, 2011. The savings don’t end there, either. Installing a new air conditioning system with energy-efficient equipment can reduce an annual energy gill by as much as $200. Having a programmable thermostat installed can further reduce your energy costs by about $180 each year.

An existing cooling system can become more efficient, too, with annual maintenance that includes sealing ducts and changing filters. Properly sealed and insulated ducts can increase the efficiency of an air conditioning system by more than 20 percent.

If your cooling system isn’t keeping you comfortable, an evaluation from Frederick Air may reveal that it was incorrectly installed. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that nearly half of all air conditioning equipment is not properly installed, resulting in a loss of energy efficiency and a gain in cooling costs. Improper installation can lower the efficiency of a system by up to 30 percent, and may cause the system to wear out sooner as well.

If a cooling system is more than ten years old, or is not keeping the home at a comfortable temperature, we recommend an evaluation from one of our certified technicians. A quality air conditioning system, properly installed, will lower your energy bills and make life at home more comfortable.