Value Goes Beyond Savings - Upgrading To An Energy-Efficient, Bryant® System
Cooking a dinner, using a computer,watching TV, heating/ cooling a house – all these household activities require energy. But according to Energy Star , a federal program that promotes energy efficiency, about half of what the average household spends on energy bills goes toward heating and cooling. Upgrading your old HVAC unit to an energy-efficient Bryant system can cut utility costs by about 20% (or $200 annually on average); and earn you a tax credit worth as much as $1,500 and factory rebates up to $1,200.
Upgrading to an energy-efficient Bryant HYBRID HEAT dual fuel system is a more energy-efficient variation of the traditional heating and cooling split system because it allows greater control over which fuel is used for heating. The inclusion of a heat pump allows the option of electricity-fueled heating and cooling, in addition to gas furnace heat . Your Florida Bryant dealer will help you save hundreds on your utility bills over time.
To help offset the price difference — the IRS allows a tax credit worth up to$1,500 on eligible HVAC systems put into service during 2009 or 2010. Consult your Bryant Dealer .
Pay Attention to Efficiency Ratings
To earn an Energy Star rating, furnaces must be more efficient than standard units, with annual fuel utilization efficiency ratings, or AFUE, of 85% for oil furnaces and 90% for gas furnaces. The Energy Star seal of approval alone isn't enough to garner the Federal tax credit. Credit-eligible gas furnaces (either naturalgas or propane) must have AFUE ratings of 95% or greater; oil furnaces, 90%. A boiler must have an AFUE of 90%.
Heating by burning a fuel is not completely efficient. That's why Bryant 's high-efficiency furnaces have components that are better designed to get more heat out of the combustion process. Your Bryant dealer can help you calculate the size of the equipment needed for your home.
Technically, a homeowner could replace either a furnace or a central air-conditioning unit and be eligible for the tax credit. Practically speaking, you probably will have to replace both for the A/C to qualify. Most homes have split systems made up of an outdoor condenser and compressor that are connected to an indoor air handler that's part of the furnace. Split systems must have a SEER rating of at least 16 and an EER rating of at least 13. The higher the rating, the more energy efficient the unit. Your Bryantdealer can assess your situation and recommend the best option for you.
Getting A Tax Credit for Your Upgrades
The federal energy tax credit is based on 30% of the cost of an eligible HVAC system.Installation charges count too. A $5,000 bill would max out the credit. You'll need to owe more in taxes than you're trying to claim in credits to qualify. Use IRS Form 5695 and consult your tax advisor. Save receipts for your records, as well as Bryant's certification statements. If part of anew Bryant HVAC system qualifies for the credit but another part doesn't, just ask your Bryant dealer to itemize the receipt.
The tax credit is aggregated for all qualifying energy upgrades-insulation,roofs, windows, and so on-so you can't claim separate $1,500 credits for each project. Only improvements to your existing primary residence count. New homes and second homes are excluded. As your experienced partner, your Florida Bryant dealer will meet your needs; help you purchase and install your new system; and provide ongoing support and maintenance to keep your system running smoothly for years to come.