Affectionately dubbed “Cash for Caulkers”, the hope is that it will kick start new builds while cutting carbon emissions and creating much needed jobs. 6 billion dollars has been made available for energy efficient retrofits which is expected to save US citizens over 9 billion dollars over the next decade. Programs in 2009 that promoted efficiency with tax credit incentives have been vastly expanded much to the delight of homeowners through out the country.

The rebate programs and eligibility can seem confusing at best so two types of packages have been put together for homeowners to ensure that you get the best rebate possible. Rebates are still available on an individual basis however the ability to combine them has the potential to save you even more money while making a positive impact on the environment in the long term.

Silver Star Program

Homeowners receive a $1000.00 rebate for each approved retrofit. The maximum amount allowed is $3000.00 or 50% of the total cost, whichever is less. Should the homeowner spend $6000.00 the rebate would be $3000.00 however if you were to spend $9000.00 the rebate would still be $3000.00 as it is the lesser of the $3000.00 cap or 50%. With the Silver Star program there is no specific requirement for emissions reduction. Rebates are based solely on approved retrofits.

Gold Star Program

To be eligible homeowners must reduce total home energy consumption by 20% for which a $3000.00 rebate will be granted. Homeowners will also receive an additional $1000.00 for each 5% reduction over and above the required 20% up to a maximum of $8000.00 or 50% of total cost, whichever is the lesser amount. Rebates can be granted for all approved retrofits including heating system replacement, air source air conditioner or heat pump installation, interior and exterior sealant and duct system repair or replacement. Additionally, rebates can be granted for any other energy saving measure put into play including high efficiency appliances, reflective roofing, external window attachments, insulated siding, automatic water temperature controllers or home energy management systems.

The home star program also allows for those homeowners that have the skills to complete the required renovations without the extra expense of a professional installation. Though limited to attic installation, crawl space insulation and air sealing retrofits, homeowners receive rebates for products purchased up to $250.00

Heating, in most of the country, by far eats up the largest portion of energy bills, up to 50% in cooler parts of the country. While in warmer southern climates air conditioning is a much more significant cost. Rebates focus greatly on retrofits geared towards HVAC equipment that helps lessen our national energy consumption and therefore lowering our individual energy costs significantly. Some of the HVAC related repairs or retrofits that can make the most impact both environmentally and financially are listed below;

Air Conditioner Upgrade

Possible rebate $1500.00

People living in cities like Houston or Miami, among others, know how vital air conditioning is. Home cooling isn’t a luxury in southern states, it’s a necessity, and given how heavily people rely on their air cooling system, an inefficient one can be ridiculously costly. Having a professional HVAC contractor switch out your clunker for an environmentally friendly and energy efficient one that is approved and installed according to ANSI/ACCA standard 5 QI-2007 can be one of the best investments you make for your home. Besides the obvious comfort benefits, an extra $1500.00 in your pocket isn’t too shabby.

Heating System Replacement

Possible rebate up to $1000.00

Most homes are still running older heating systems that are both costly and extremely inefficient. Between the rebates and the monthly savings on your heating bill the initial cost to replace an older system will be recouped very quickly. Rebate amount varies dependent on the retrofit you have decided on. For example, changing to a natural gas or propane furnace = $750.00 rebate while switching out to a natural gas or propane boiler brings in $1000.00 in government rebates. Replacing your old system with a wood or pellet boiler or furnace will net you anywhere from $500.00 to $1000.00 depending out the system’s output.

Repairing or Replacing Duct Work

Possible rebate $1000.00

Independent sources place air loss due to leaky ducts at anywhere from 20%-40% which can greatly impact your heating and cooling costs. Sealing or replacing ducts can be done as a DYI project though most entrust this work to a professional HVAC contractor due to their ability to seal inaccessible leaks, detect leaks that may not be visible, and of course, the ability to guarantee all work under warranty.

For duct work to be eligible under the Home Star program a minimum of 50% of the distribution system must be repaired or replaced to the standard set by the Secretary of Energy.

Claiming and receiving your rebates does require some work, and thought it isn’t quite as easy as walking into a government office and saying “Here’s my receipt, can I have a cheque?”, it’s worth the effort. You should consult your tax professional on the specifics. For more information on rebates, how to claim them, grant options and alternate financing options and government incentive programs visit the US Department Of Energy website found here.

For additional related information;

US House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce – Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010

White House Fact Sheet – Homestar Energy Efficiency Program

Home Star 101 – Center for American Progress

We just launched a mobile version of our website to make it more compatible for those using smartphones. No more zooming into a portion of our full-sized site.

We’re not a giant company, but we have a small mobile website

We have mobile specific pages just for those users. And because mobile phone screen sizes are small, and users are looking for quick information, we made the mobile site very small too.

It’s only a handful of the essential pages. Each page only has the bare bones info for quick loading and quick reading.

We’ve got a home page, and an air conditioning page, an AC repairs page, indoor air quality and commercial hvac pages. We’ve also got a contact page, a service area page with a little map and some pages about our guarantees and upfront pricing policy.

If you are browsing from a full sized desktop or laptop you can view the mobile pages from those links above, but to get an idea of what it would look like on a phone shrink the size of your browser window till its about as wide as an iPhone.

Oh, and see those links on the phone number… on a smartphone with touch screens, they are “click to call” buttons. Tap on it and it calls us.

So Houston, next time you have a problem (of the air conditioning sort) just head on over to our website via your smartphone.

Turn in your energy hog clunker of an air conditioning system and get $500 cash back

Plus all those savings on your home energy bills

Plus Federal Tax Credits and Factory Rebates from Trane!

Your total savings could be up to $3000!

The era of conserving energy is upon us. You hear it on the news every day (global warming, rising energy prices, foreign oil, smart grid, etc..) and like most of us you’d like to do something about it. If not for the environment then at least for your pocket book.

Home heating and cooling is the largest chunk of your yearly energy costs, at about 45%. Air conditioning alone represents 15 to 20% of your yearly energy costs, and that’s consumed just during the summer. Something we know all too well in Houston. A high efficiency air conditioner can save you a lot of money on your electric bill!

Now is the time to upgrade your Central Air System to today’s high efficiency systems.

• We’ll give you $500 cash back
• Your friends at the IRS will give you up to $1500 in tax credits
• Trane, our product supplier, will give you from $400 to $1000 in instant rebates

Yes, all the planets and stars have aligned at the same time to give you these fantastic savings. And you will save money on your power bills, year after year. Wow!

Contact us and find out exactly what you’ll save.

$500 Cash Back on Trane XL15i or Higher Efficiency Systems

We’ll give you $500 cash back when you upgrade your home comfort system. The following complete systems are eligible;

• Cooling system with Gas Heat: Condensing unit (outside), Evap. Coil (inside) and Gas Furnace
• Cooling system with Electric Heat: Condensing unit (outside), Evap. Coil (inside) and Electric Heat Air Handler
• Cooling system with Heat pump: Heat Pump unit (outside), Evap. Coil (inside) and Electric Heat Air Handler

Need help with choosing the best system for your home? Ask us.

Up to $1500 in Tax Credits – An Added Bonus

With passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (applicable till December 2010), homeowners may be able to claim tax credits equal to 30% of the installed costs (up to $1,500) if you make energy-efficient upgrades to your home. And that includes HVAC equipment. More about tax credits here.

Not only will you save with our Cash for Clunkers program, the government will help you save even more.

But there is still more…

Trane Factory rebates of up to $1000 – Yet Another Bonus

From now till June Trane is offering $400 to $1000 instant rebates for XL systems. That’s the same systems we’re offering $500 cash back on. Actual rebate amount varies depending on which pieces of equipment you choose. Ask us for details.

So you get $500 cash from Clear the Air, up to $1500 in tax breaks, and up to $1000 in rebates from Trane. Don’t forget those power bills savings too. Do not pass this up!

Instead of the rebate you can also choose 36 month interest free financing or 3.9% APR, both through Trane.

Now is the time to upgrade your Central Air System to that high efficiency system you need.

Contact us today about replacing your clunker.

Here are a few things you can check:

Do they have heat in the home?
Do they have hot water?
Are all their appliances working properly?
Are their pipes, sprinkler system and faucets protected against freezing?
Is their phone operational?
Do they have the phone number of someone they can call for minor emergencies? Yours?

Please don’t wait until something tragic happens. Take a few minutes to help a neighbor. It’s well worth your time.

There are many safe ways to cut costs. The use of moonlighters and handymen lacking professional industry accreditation is not one of them. While it’s true that moonlighters can often perform satisfactory work, you take risks when hiring one.

By nature, moonlighters lack specialty trade licensing, do not carry workers compensation insurance for employees, and liability insurance. Usually, they cannot permit the work they perform because they are operating illegally.

If a handyman makes a mistake, such as the unlicensed plumber who accidentally burnt down a home when trying to “sweat a line” inside a wall, he is unlikely to have insurance to cover the loss. You may be stuck with the deductible and if your property valuation is not up to date, you may not be able to fully replace your home and possessions. Plus, if you file a claim against your homeowner insurance, you will probably face higher premiums going forward.

If the work performed is part of an insurance claim, check with the insurer before work begins to see if they require work to be performed by a licensed contractor and properly permitted. You do not want to discover a requirement for permits to ensure the work complies with building codes after the fact.

When uninsured moonlighters or handymen injure themselves while working on your property, you are legally responsible. You might be liable for medical expenses, for compensation if the individual cannot work, and for pain and suffering.

Typically, work by moonlighters and handymen is not warrantied. If the handyman fixed a symptom and not the problem, or performed slipshod work, you may have no recourse (and may not even be able to find the handyman).

Also, be careful who you allow in your home. During a sting operation to identify unlicensed contractors, some of the suspects charged in the sting had drugs on their person. One had an outstanding warrant for battery.

Professional, Licensed, Insured Contractors Meet Higher Standards

Quality, licensed contractors have a stake in your community. They carry appropriate levels and types of insurance. They invest in training, certifications, permits, and proper tools for the work. They perform background checks on employees. They stand behind their work. Professional service contractors exist to serve. That includes meeting your budget… but safely and reputably.

Stay home when you are sick

Avoiding close contact with other people will help prevent them from catching your illness.

Clean your hands

Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.

Cover your mouth and nose

Use a tissue when coughing or sneezing — it may prevent the spread of the virus.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth

Germs are often spread when a person touches a contaminated surface then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.

Practice other good health habits

Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.

Keep Your Air Clean with Trane Clean Effects – Indoor Air Filtration

Because of the similarities among types of influenza viruses, Harvard and EH&E researchers concluded that Trane CleanEffects will remove more than 99 percent of other forms of the virus, including influenza B, influenza C and avian influenza (also a strain of influenza A virus) from the filtered air.

The tests involved releasing the common flu virus into the air inside a test heating, ventilation and air conditioning duct. The removal efficiency was calculated from the amount of the common flu virus measured in air samples collected before and after passing through the Trane CleanEffects system.

>>> Read More (PDF)

The treaty, which dates to 1987 and has been amended seven times since, aims to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion. One of those substances that plays a large part in ozone depletion is chlorine gas. The coolant used in air conditioners since at least the 70’s, called R-22, emits a whole lot of chlorine gas.

As of January 1st, 2010, R-22 becomes a thing of the past. R-22 will only be manufactured for use in existing systems. And after 2020, only reclaimed and recycled R-22 will be around. Most major equipment manufacturers have already gone to a custom-order-basis for R-22 equipment.

So what does this all mean for you? It means that if you’re in the market for a new cooling system, now is a great time to consider it! Not only will you save money in the long run, but you get to help the environment.

The new refrigerant, called R-410A, is more efficient as well as non-ozone-depleting. Plus, as supplies of R-22 wind down, the cost of it will naturally rise, and any repairs to your system will end up being more expensive than they otherwise would be.
Since energy costs have bumped up 50 percent in the past five years, you’ll want to pay attention to energy consumption.

Switching to the updated coolant systems could boost your energy efficiency by as much as 45 percent. What you want to look for here is the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating; the higher, the better. Minimum efficiency today is 13, and you can buy up to 23 SEER. And the warmer the climate (like here), the quicker the payback.

And last but not least, there’s the new $1500 dollar-for-dollar tax credit to sweeten the deal! Help save the planet, and save money – who could say no to that?

(For more information on how higher efficiency equipment can save you more money, please see our previous post here.)

Houston Metro Residents should contact us about applying this tax credit to new HVAC equipment. Outside Houston contact your local HVAC contractors.

Residential Tax Credit Details

For qualified improvements, homeowners may be able to claim tax credits equal to 30% of the installed costs (up to $1,500).

• Furnace to qualify 95% AFUE
• Boiler to qualify 90% AFUE
• A/C to qualify 16 SEER + 13 EER
• Heat Pump same as A/C plus HSPF 9
• Water Heater energy factor .8 (tankless)

Please ask your comfort adviser for details on qualifying equipment.

• The new tax credits are retroactive to January 1, 2009, and expire on December 31, 2010. The $1,500 limit is for all improvements made during the two year term, not $1500 each year.

• Per-Appliance Caps Removed – Homeowners may use the entire $1,500 tax credit limit on a single qualifying improvement. The previous per-appliance caps that limited the homeowner to just $150 for a high efficiency furnace or $300 for a high efficiency central air conditioner or heat pump have been removed.

• Lifetime Limit Removed – Homeowners that previously claimed tax credits in 2006 or 2007 are eligible for the full $1,500 limit.

• Expanded Geothermal Tax Credits – Homeowners who install geothermal heat pump systems may be able to claim up to 30% of the installed costs in tax credits in the year the system is placed into service. The $2,000 tax credit limit has been removed. The geothermal tax credit has a longer term, from January 1, 2009 and expires December 31, 2016.

• Consumers should be aware that the $1,500 limit applies to many types of energy efficient home improvements, including windows and doors, roofing shingles, and insulation. You can use the $1500 on just HVAC improvements or on a combination of above home improvements.

Frequently Asked Questions About the New Tax Credits

Can a homeowner claim $1500 in tax credits for improvements made in 2009 and again for improvements made in 2010?
No. Taxpayers may only be eligible for a total of $1500 in tax credits for improvements made in the combined two year period of 2009 and 2010.

Can a homeowner use the entire $1500 limit as a credit toward the installation of one appliance?
Yes. A homeowner may use the entire $1500 in tax credits for installing a single appliance, such as a qualified furnace, air conditioner, heat pump, or hot water heater.

What happens if the 30% of the installed costs is less than $1500?
The homeowner can “bank” the the remaining available tax credit for other qualified improvements. Any single installation that costs more than $5000 will instantly reach the $1500 limit.

Does the tax credit apply to the cost of the equipment or equipment plus labor?
The tax credit applies to the installed costs of the qualified equipment, which includes labor.

How will a taxpayer claim the credit and receive their money?
In the past, the IRS has directed taxpayers to use Form 5695, Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit. Taxpayers are not required to file anything more than the form, but are instructed to keep records of their installation.

What’s the difference between a tax credit and a tax deduction?
As a tax credit applies against the taxpayers’ liability. A tax deduction applies against a taxpayer’s income, lowering the adjusted gross income and possibly moving the taxpayer to a lower tax bracket. Tax credits have a greater benefit to a taxpayer.
With a tax credit, if the taxpayer owes $2000, in taxes, their liability is reduced to $500. If they owe nothing, they can expect a $1500 refund.

What if the homeowners already claimed $500 in tax credits in 2006 or 2007?
The “lifetime caps” that used to be in place have been removed. Any previous claims do not count against the current $1500 tax credit limit.

Can a homeowner claim the credit for improvements to a second home?
No. The tax credit is only available for improvement to the taxpayer’s primary residence.

Can a small business that operates out of a townhouse and installs residential equipment in a commercial setting claim the credit?
No. The tax credit may only be claimed by taxpayers on their personal income taxes for improvements to their primary residence.

What other types of energy efficiency improvements qualify for the tax credits?
Homeowners may be able to qualify for the tax credits if they make qualified improvements to: windows and doors including skylights, storm windows and storm doors; roofing including metal and asphalt roofs; and insulation. All of these improvements qualify, but homeowner may only claim $1500 in total for any improvements.

Will every homeowner definitely qualify for the tax credit?
No. Each taxpayer’s situation is different. Please consult with a tax professional if you have questions regarding your tax situation in regards to these new credits.

It’s hard to find good news for your wallet these days, but these new tax credit changes can help you keep your cool in terms of both comfort and savings!

But the Financial DOOM & GLOOM in the News Got You Down?

LET US BAIL YOU OUT!

Save 12.5% on a New Air Conditioning System, RIGHT NOW!

That’s right! We’re easing the strain on your wallet by offering a significant discount on all new central air conditioner installations. Same goes for heat pumps, air handlers, even gas furnaces.

**UPDATE!** Take advantage of this offer before it ends, and we’ll also include a new digital thermostat with your system at no extra charge!

Don’t Wait! This Sale Ends in 2 Weeks

Contact Us Today and tell us you need a bailout package.

Energy Savings Too!

The technology in today’s heating and cooling equipment makes for highly efficient energy use. The Trane units we sell are the industry leaders in efficiency. You will enjoy added savings on your monthly utility bills. The average savings are 30% and can go as high as 60%. That adds up to a lot of money, every year.

What Credit Crisis?

We have two financing providers should you need to make a purchase on credit. Both are still actively taking finance applications and approval rates are normal.

Weathering the Financial Storm

At Clear the Air we are well positioned to ride out the credit crunch and any oncoming recession. As a leading central A/C dealer and contractor in the Metro Houston market we have excellent purchase agreements with our suppliers and can ensure our products will continue going out.

We will always be the company that is here to service your home comfort system and continue to service manufacturer warranties, as well as back our installation guarantees.

Take advantage of this Bailout Sale now. By the time the dust settles in the stock markets this sale will be over.

Give us a call at (281) 992-7866 or click to our contact page and send an email.