What every homeowner should know about the new clean energy tax credit

(BPT) - Whether you are in the market for a new home or ready to upgrade your current residence, investing in energy-e cient home improvements could help you save money thanks to the In ation Reduction Act.

Signed into law in August 2022, the federally funded In ation Reduction Act includes a record $370 billion reserved spending for energy initiatives, including signi cant tax credits, rebates and other incentives for homeowners who replace or upgrade their HVAC systems, appliances and insulation. Combined with additional state, local and manufacturer’s programs, these energy-e cient home improvements can help you save considerably at tax time - and lower your utility bills in the long run.

When you’re ready to enhance your home’s efficiency, here’s what you need to know:

Energy-E cient Home Improvement Credit: Beginning with products installed on Jan. 1, 2023, and extending through the end of 2032, energy tax credits have been expanded from previous programs with increased cost-saving values. ey now o er homeowners a rebate up to 30% of eligible expenses up to $1,200 per year each year that the program is active. Homeowners considering an energy-e cient heat pump can save even more money with an additional rebate up to $2,000 available. Eligible upgrades include:

* Home energy audits

* Heat pump HVAC or water heaters

* Biomass stoves and boilers

* High-e ciency gas furnaces

* High-e ciency central air conditioning

* ENERGY-STAR certi ed doors and windows

* Insulation enhancements

* Electric panel and wiring upgrades

* Clean energy equipment installation

High-E ciency Electric Home Rebate Program: e High-E ciency Electric Home Rebate Act, or HEEHRA, is a 10-year program that provides homeowners with rebates up to 100% of the cost of eligible projects up to $14,000. HEEHRA rebates are based on income and can help to fund home improvements such as switching to electric appliances, installing a heat pump or updating your home’s circuit panel. e value of each rebate varies by project and includes up to $8,000 for eligible households to install heat pumps.

State and local rebate programs: In addition to federally funded programs, many state, local and utility rebates are available to incentivize energy-e cient home improvements.

ese o ers can vary so it’s best to speak to a local expert such as your HVAC contractor, or use this zip code-based HVAC savings database at York.com/residential-equipment/ rebates-and-savings as a point of reference.

Manufacturer rebates and nancing options: When it comes to your home’s e ciency, heating and cooling often account for the most energy consumption - and the highest utility bills. Because of this, upgrading the HVAC system can often provide the greatest payback.

Regardless of your home comfort needs, manufacturers such as YORK have an extensive o ering of energy-e cient systems, including electric heat pumps, that may be eligible for certain rebates. Plus, your contractor can discuss available nancing options to help with the upfront equipment costs to maximize savings.