Raising Awareness (For Rebates, That Is)

With the November 2 elections right around the corner, I first would like to encourage anyone out there who happens to be reading (or hopefully following) my blog to vote. It's the simplest, most basic right we have. It's a right that many have fought and died for. And it's a small thing that we can do as Americans that can have a huge impact on both our own individual futures, as well as the collective good of our nation.

Much has been written about the 25(C) tax credits that are about to expire at the end of this year. These credits certainly have been beneficial to the HVACR industry, and while we would always like to see more consumer confidence and commitment, no one can deny the fact that these rebates have helped our industry sell more products to homeowners and businesses. I encourage you to take a look at the Capitol Climate columns in the October and November RSES Journal, where HARDI vice president Talbot Gee discusses some of the issues swirling around in Washington, D.C. as it relates to this topic (HARDI's Wholesale Observations blog, authored by Gee, is also a great place to turn). The October RSES Journal Elements e-Newsletter also will offer some insight into this area.

But I also think its equally important that those out there in our industry stay on top of what is happening locally and regionally. For example, in Florida, the Florida ENERGYSTAR Residential HVAC Rebate Program is designed to drive homeowners to both replace antiquated, outdated equipment AND make sure the ductwork moving air throughout the home has minimal amounts of leakage.

This is a GREAT idea, and a program that I hope more states adopt. Why, you might ask? Well, because it requires the contractor servicing the home to make sure that instead of just slapping a new A/C unit on the pad outside and walking out the door, they make sure that the SYSTEM provides the level of efficiency the unit is capable of generating. This program, which runs from Aug. 30, 2010 until Dec. 31, 2010 (or until the $15 million in available funding is exhausted), has multiple requirements. These include:
• Purchasing a new central air conditioner, air-source heat pump or geothermal heat pump in Florida that meets the Federal Energy Tax Credits standards.
• Homeowners must also hire either a Florida Class 1 rater; a State of Florida-licensed mechanical contractor; or a recognized TAB agent to perform a duct test on their home to document that the home has no more than 15% leakage to the outside.

Finally, to apply for the rebate, the homeowner must have that duct system tested and verified; send a copy of the HVAC system price and payment receipt; a copy of the mechanical building permit, with the home address identified; a copy of the summary of the ACCA Manual J program used to properly size the HVAC system; and a copy of the air distribution system test report completed verifying no leakage above 15%.

It seems like a lot of work for $1,500. But then again, the contractor can sell that homeowner not only on the money they will get back now, but the fact that heating and cooling accounts for nearly 50% of the average home's energy use. If you can cut that in half, or even two-thirds, how much money is the homeowner saving in the long-term?

And that, sadly, brings me back to 25(C). We know that these tax incentives help drive business and are adding sales to our trade. But just as important - if not even more so - is the fact that by installing this kind of energy-efficient equipment, we're saving energy, keeping power in the grid and allowing ourselves the opportunity to build for the future. Isn't that what we put our elected officials in office to help us do in the first place?