Ask:
Although our home is only 7 years old (we are the second owners), the air conditioner is on its last legs. We have issues with it running all the time (even more than it should for Florida), getting frozen up and leaking everywhere, etc. It is too small for the size house we have. Our bills keep getting higher and higher because it won't shut off.
So, I was wondering if anybody knew the new standards for a/c units (central ones) and the tax deductions you can take on them.
Also, anybody get Consumer Reports? Do you find them helpful in researching this type of purchase? I have always used them for cars and stuff, but wondered if it would be worthwhile to subscribe for a month ($5.95) to research a/c's.
I was hoping we could wait until the fall when there would be less of a rush on them, but you do what you have to do, I guess.
Answer:
You might check and for info. on standards. The Dept. of Energy says "Consumers who purchase and install specific products, such as energy-efficient windows, insulation, doors, roofs, and heating and cooling equipment in the home can receive a tax credit of up to $500 beginning in January 2006." ().
Consumer Reports (at least the print edition, we don't subscribe to the online version, so I'm not sure about that) only rates room/window AC units. I've never seen them have anything on the big, outside, whole-house units.
Answer:
Erin is right CR doesn't rate the big ones. I subscribe to their online service and just checked. They've only rated the smaller ones.
Answer:
Trane is a good name in full-house a/c units. Check out their website for some basic info. They certify their agents/repairmen and are pretty reliable.
Answer:
I recommend calling your local electricity utility company to ask about a rebate program. They also might know about a tax credit program in your area. They might have a list of recommended vendors, too. Usually the rebate programs have a list of the models you can purchase to qualify.
Answer:
We just had our yearly A/c maintenance and I asked my A/C man about the newer units. He said they (Trane or Carrier) don't make anything less than 13 seer now. There is a rebate being offered by Carrier but I don't know if Trane is offering one (probably). We live in Central Florida, our house is also 7 years old, and our square footage is 2600. He told us to update to a 15 1/2 seer and it would cost $14,327 after the $1,200.00 rebate. Our electric bill would go down quite a bit. Unfortunately, we do not have that kind of money lying around. Fortunately, our A/C unit is working fine.
Answer:
We had ours replaced in March (furnace and A/C). I got quotes from 5 companies, all recommended by family and friends and prices varied by thousands. I went with the cheapest, which is a company in the area that has been in business for 60 years and am completely satisfied. Our old unit was 20+ years old and very inefficient. 13 SEER is the lowest allowed by the government now for a new A/C. We purchased the 93% efficient unit and it does not qualify for the tax break. Only the 97% effiecient one did which costs much more and the tax credit did not justify the spending. Every company knew which units they had that qualified. It is a selling point so just ask them.
Answer:
Our house is 7 years old and we are the second owners as well. Hubby installs a/c and heating units and all the stuff that goes w/ them for a living so we are lucky there that we wont have to pay to have some one install it and he can get a good discount on the parts. Bad thing though is we are in the same boat as you, Claire our unit needs to be replaced. It works okay but its also way too small for our house so we end up paying an arm and a leg every time we run it!