The overall total limit for an efficiency tax credit in one year is $3,200. This breaks down to a total limit of $1,200 for any combination of home envelope improvements (windows/doors/skylights, insulation, electrical) plus furnaces, boilers and central air conditioners.
Federal Tax Credits
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 makes tax credits available on high-efficiency HVAC units through 2032. It allows you to deduct 30 percent of the purchase and installation costs and caps the amount you can write off: Air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, and water heaters max out at $600.
As part of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, the federal government offers savings in the form of two tax credits for California homeowners in 2024. The first one concerns solar power for your home, and the second addresses HVAC energy improvements.
Common appliances eligible for tax credits include refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, water heaters, and HVAC systems. Each appliance category has its own set of efficiency requirements, typically measured by the Energy Star rating, which indicates superior energy performance.
Capital improvements are permanent upgrades, adaptations, or enhancements that improve the property and increase your home's value. To qualify as a capital improvement, the IRS states that the property must meet the following conditions: The improvement “substantially adds” value to your home.
The cost of repairs, such as fixing a gutter, painting a room, or replacing a window pane, cannot be added to your cost basis or deducted from your sales price. Certain energy-saving home improvements can yield tax credits at the time you make them.
The replacement of major building components (such as an HVAC system) must be treated as a capital improvement, recovering costs over the useful life via use allowance or depreciation expense in the CCAP.
Generally speaking, smart home appliances are not tax deductible unless they also need energy efficiency requirements. Smart thermostats are an exception, as they sometimes qualify for energy efficiency rebates or credits due to their role in reducing heating and cooling costs.
Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit
These expenses may qualify if they meet requirements detailed on energy.gov: Exterior doors, windows, skylights and insulation materials. Central air conditioners, water heaters, furnaces, boilers and heat pumps.
Can I deduct the cost of a new roof? Unfortunately, you cannot deduct the cost of a new roof. Installing a new roof is considered a home improvement and home improvement costs are not deductible. However, home improvement costs can increase the basis of your property.
What products are eligible? Effective January 1, 2025, split system central air conditioners must meet SEER2 ≥ 17.0 and EER2 ≥12.0 to be eligible. Packaged central air conditioners must meet SEER2 ≥16.0 and EER2 ≥11.5 to be eligible.
An air conditioner with a higher SEER uses less electricity for the same cooling, saving you money on energy bills. As of January 1, 2023, the Department of Energy (DOE) will introduce the new SEER2 standard. SEER2 keeps the basic ideas of SEER but improves the testing methods to better match real-life situations.
One type of window shade that qualifies for the tax credit is the honeycomb shade. Honeycomb shades are made up of multiple layers of fabric that create air pockets, which trap heat and insulate the window. Hunter Douglas Duette Honeycomb Shades are an example of a honeycomb shade that qualifies for the tax credit.
Split systems meeting a SEER2 rating of 16 or higher are eligible for a tax credit, and all Energy Star-certified packaged systems also qualify. Central air conditioners can receive a tax credit of 30% of the project cost, capped at $600. Learn more about Spurk HVAC's central air conditioning services here.
It's not because it's an HVAC unit; building improvements aren't traditionally eligible for tax deductions. However, if the improvements make your home more energy-efficient, you might be able to claim a tax credit that's usually valued at up to $2,500.
What is a Split Air Conditioner? Consisting of both an indoor and an outdoor unit, split air conditioners are designed to improve temperature control within a room that has an exterior wall. The outdoor unit features a compressor and is connected through the exterior wall to the indoor unit through a set of pipes.
Tax Credits for Heating Systems
Heat Pumps with ENERGY STAR Cold Climate: Split and packaged models with SEER ≥ 15.2, EER2 ≥ 10, and HSPF2 ≥ 8.1. Mini-split systems with SEER2 ≥ 16, EER ≥ 9, and HSPF ≥ 9.5.
If you don't have receipts for capital improvements, talk to the contractor who worked on your property. They likely have records of the transaction. Look for canceled checks or credit card payments made to contractors and back up these records with old emails or other communication about the capital improvements.
The Inflation Reduction Act provides home appliance rebates for discounts on electric energy-efficient appliances like Induction cooktops, ranges and heat pump laundry appliances. Sign up to be notified when rebates are available in your state.
Remodeling a bathroom isn't tax-deductible for most homeowners. However, if you need to renovate your bathroom for medical reasons, such as adding handrails in the shower, you may be able to deduct the improvement as a medical expense.
The Financial Impact of a New HVAC System Installation
This correlation between HVAC installation and increased home value is well-documented, making the upgrade one of the more cost-effective home improvements. On average, homeowners can expect to recoup 5-10% of the cost of the new system in added home value.
The Benefits of AC Repair Tax Credits are numerous and can be a great way to save money on your taxes. The tax credits available for HVAC repairs, or Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning repair costs, allow homeowners to deduct the cost of certain types of repairs from their taxable income each year.
Qualified Improvement Property on HVAC qualifies when the assets are interior, but not when they are externally located. Qualified Improvement property examples for HVAC could be internal VAV boxes or ductwork. This affects HVAC bonus depreciation, internal components would qualify, but external components would not.