Green energy alternatives are everywhere. More electric and hybrid cars are on the road; composting and recycling are required in many cities; and the HVAC world has not been untouched. Homeowners now use geothermal heat pumps and wind turbines as energy sources. As well, solar panels continue to rise in popularity, particularly in the greater Fresno area and San Joaquin Valley.
Panels designed for solar systems, which are also called photovoltaic systems, use technology that acquires energy directly from the sun. The solar cells then take that energy and convert it into power to produce electricity.
In 2011, the government is offering generous tax credits for homeowners looking to take advantage of alternative energy sources like solar panels. This came about as President Obama, late in December of 2010, signed the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010. Among other things, this renewed the government’s investment in energy efficiency by extending the tax credit — but at different levels.
For alternative energy sources like solar panels, the government is offering a 30 percent tax credit, with no limit on the total cost of the system.
There are a few requirements to qualify for a tax credit:
- The purpose of the solar panels is to draw electricity for a home’s use.
- The panels and their installation have to follow state codes for fire and electrical work.
- Homes that qualify are either existing or new construction.
- The home can be a primary residence or secondary residence.
- The form of the house includes: houseboats, mobile homes, manufactured homes, coops or condominiums.
- Rental units will not qualify for this tax credit.
Using a green energy source doesn’t just contribute to decreased greenhouse gas emissions. As a homeowner, you’ll also see a marked decrease in utility bills; maintain a consistent, reliable energy source and get a tax credit to offset the initial costs. The energy experts at Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning are happy to answer questions or offer expert advice on solar panels or any other HVAC concerns you may have.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning services the greater Fresno area in California. To get started, check out our website.