At Tax Filing Time, Remember Energy Efficiency Tax Credits

ENERGY STAR Update
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Tax season is officially here, and now is the time to make sure that you get credit for the qualifying ENERGY STAR purchases you made in the last year. Several tax credits expired at the end of the year, so if you completed any of the following energy-efficient updates in 2013, now is the time to make sure you get your credit. Check out www.energystar.gov/taxcredits for helpful information.

What is Eligible?

ENERGY STAR products in the following categories are eligible for 10% of the product’s cost up to $500, or a specific amount from $50-$300. Products must have been purchased for an existing home that you use as your primary residence. These purchases must have been made by December 31, 2013.

  • Air source heat pumps
  • Central air conditioners
  • Boilers
  • Furnaces
  • Insulation
  • Roofs
  • Non-solar water heaters
  • Windows and doors

ENERGY STAR certified geothermal heat pumps are eligible for 30% of the product’s cost with no upper limit. Products must have been purchased for new or existing homes, and both primary and secondary residences may apply. This tax credit expires December 31, 2016.

There are still many ways to save energy, save money and protect the climate after tax season is over. Check out www.energystar.gov for simple ways to keep your energy bills low all year long. 

Products, homes and buildings that earn the ENERGY STAR label prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency requirements set by the U.S. EPA. In 2012 alone, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved $26 billion on their utility bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to the annual electricity use of more than 35 million homes. From the first ENERGY STAR qualified computer in 1992, the ENERGY STAR label can now be found on products in more than 70 different categories, with more than 4.5 billion sold over the past 20 years. Over 1.4 million new homes and 20,000 office buildings, schools and hospitals have earned the ENERGY STAR label.