If you’ve been putting off replacing your water heater or installing a new HVAC system, now’s the time to do it. The 25C tax credit is making energy efficient home upgrades significantly more affordable and can save you $3,200 a year on crucial home improvements. It covers a wide range of improvements, from heating and cooling system upgrades to insulation, air sealing, and more.
Home Energy Medics can help you take full advantage of this opportunity to upgrade your home and reduce your energy bills. We are a whole-home energy efficiency expert and can map out a plan to maximize your savings.
Keep reading to find out what home upgrades qualify for the 25C federal tax credit in 2024.
What Is the 25C Tax Credit?
The 25C tax credit is a federal incentive for energy efficient home improvements. It was introduced as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) climate law, which is why you sometimes hear it referred to as the IRA tax credit. It’s part of a broad effort to reduce energy consumption, lower utility bills for American households, and decrease our overall environmental impact.
The tax credit is worth 30% of the cost of qualifying home upgrades, with an annual maximum that varies by upgrade.
Up to $2,000 a year for heat pump HVAC systems (ducted and ductless systems qualify) and heat pump water heaters.
Up to $1,200 a year for qualifying energy efficient heating and cooling systems, electrical system upgrades, and building envelope upgrades including insulation and air sealing materials, energy efficient windows, and energy efficient exterior doors.
The great thing about the 25C tax credit is that there’s no lifetime limit, so you can claim the maximum credit on any eligible home improvements you make from now until it expires in 2032. This allows you to make continuous improvements to your home and save on every upgrade.
What Qualifies for the Tax Credit?
Ready to start making upgrades? Here’s what qualifies as home improvements for the tax credit.
Heat Pumps & Heat Pump Water Heaters
A heat pump is the most energy efficient way to heat and cool your home! To be eligible for the heat pump tax credit, they must have a thermal efficiency rating of at least 75 percent.
Ducted heat pumps, up tp $2,000
Ductless mini split heat pumps, up to $2,000
Heat pump water heaters, up to $2,000
You can claim the heat pump tax credit for all costs associated with a heat pump installation, including materials and labor.
Energy Efficient HVAC Systems
You will get the highest incentive if you install a heat pump, but there is also a tax credit for other types of energy efficient heating and cooling systems.
Central air conditioners, up to $600
Natural gas, propane, or oil water heaters, up to $600
Natural gas, propane, or oil furnaces and hot water boilers, up to $600
You can claim the energy efficient HVAC tax credit for all costs associated with installing eligible equipment, including materials and labor.
Electrical System Upgrades
You may need to upgrade your electrical panel when you install a heat pump or energy efficient heating and cooling system. If we find that electrical components are needed to install your new HVAC or water heating system, you can claim an additional credit for panelboards, sub-panelboards, branch circuits, and feeders as long as they meet the National Electric Code and have a capacity of 200 amps or more.
Panelboards, sub-panelboards, branch circuits, and feeders, up to $600
Building Envelope Upgrades
Your home’s “envelope” is what separates your living spaces from the outdoors. It includes your walls, roofing, windows, doors, and insulation. The building envelope is your first line of defense against heat loss and is crucial to your home’s energy efficiency. You can claim a total of $1,200 a year for certain building envelope upgrades, but there are maximum limits for each upgrade.
Insulation and air sealing, up to $1,200
Energy efficient windows, up to $600
Energy efficient exterior doors, up to $500
The labor costs associated with a building envelope upgrade do not qualify for the tax credit. Home Energy Medics will provide you with an itemized receipt so you can easily claim your maximum credit for the qualifying expenses.
Upgrade and Save with Home Energy Medics!
Home Energy Medics is the home performance company local homeowners trust. We are leaders in the industry and will help you transform your home with targeted energy efficiency improvements that improve comfort and save you money. There are excellent tax incentives, rebates, and financing opportunities available right now that will make your home upgrade significantly more affordable. Don’t miss out! Reach out today to get started.