2011 tax stimulus breakdown

Today's HVAC tax stimulus may not be what it once was (up to $1,500 in your customer's pocket), but there are still plenty of opportunities to sell energy efficient upgrades to customers still in need.

With the new stimulus are some different rules. Here, we break down the new stimulus package via the Tax Relief Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010:

Rules

The law extends the tax credits for energy efficiency into 2011, but reverts back to those levels in effect during 2006 and 2007. Those levels state that an American may receive 10 percent of the cost of improvement for up to $500, with some lower caps on other services.

Money breakdown

$500 - insulation, roofs, doors
$300 - air conditioners, air source heat pumps, water heaters, biomass stoves
$200 - windows
$150 - furnaces and boilers that meet 95 AFUE
$50 - advanced main air circulating fan
30 percent of cost with no upper limit - solar panels

Conditions

If you received more than $500 in these tax credits from 2006 to 2010, you aren't eligible for any more stimulus money.

Visit energystar.gov/taxcredits for more information on the 2011 tax credits for HVAC services.