Why not save as much as you can on your heating costs, and become greener at the same time? Government tax rebates are available for people who install high efficiency furnaces in their homes, says Jeff Stienstra. As owner of Stienstra Heating and Cooling in Hudsonville, Michigan, he often helps people get the rebate they are entitled to.
Government tax rebates are available for high efficiency heating equipment until the end of 2010. This includes furnaces and boilers. The efficiency of the furnaces has to be above 95% in order to qualify, and boilers need to be above 90 percent to qualify. The rebate will give you up to $1,500 as a tax credit. And you will receive 30% of the installation cost with a maximum of $1,500 as a rebate. That includes the equipment, parts and labor, as it is all eligible for a rebate.
Need a Licensed Technician
The furnace or boiler has to be installed by a licensed and insured technician or heating company that is registered with the state or the township. Once the equipment is installed and the inspection is approved, you can download the rebate forms from the government website. Ask your heating specialist for more information.
On the form, you will need to supply the make, model and serial number of the equipment installed. And with the furnace, you will qualify for additional rebates if you have a two-stage gas valve. That means that at the first stage, the furnace comes on at 65% of its capacity, and then after a set amount of time, it will bump up to the second stage, which is 100% of capacity. So at first, mild air will come slowly into the house and gradually raise the room temperature.
Once the time limit is reached for the first stage, if the thermostat is still not satisfied, then the second stage will turn on to raise the room temperature more quickly. Depending on the home, the first or the low stage will often be enough to get the temperature up to satisfy the thermostat. That means you will never have to go into full-fire mode, saving on gas.
ECM Motor Qualifies
Also, you can qualify for an electrical utility rebate if the furnace contains an ECM motor, which is electrically controlled motor, also known as a variable speed motor. With that, the furnace is controllable, as instead, the blower coming on at full speed immediately and calling for heat.
The furnace gradually puts the heat on so there is no surge of incoming electrical currency. There is a gradual rise of heat instead, which also can save a lot on electrical costs as far as the blower motor is concerned.
Forms for all these government utility rebates are available easily online or ask your contractor to get one for you.
