Congress passed an economic stimulus package in February that does much to promote energy efficiency. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 includes several provisions modifying and expanding the scope of the energy efficiency and renewable energy incentives.
A few notable changes: Energy efficiency incentives for upgrades to existing homes have been extended, and are now available for 2009 and 2010. The financial cap for these incentives, which cover home envelope improvements as well as all approved heating, cooling and water heating equipment, was increased to $1,500 (from $500).
Energy-efficient existing homes:
The Act extends the tax credits for improvements to energy-efficient existing homes through 2010. For 2009 and 2010, the amount of the tax credit is increased from 10% to 30% of the amount paid or incurred by the taxpayer for qualified energy efficiency improvements during the tax year. Qualified energy efficiency improvements would things such as windows, doors, advanced main air circulating fans, qualified natural gas, propane or oil furnaces or hot water boilers, heat pumps, water heaters and central air conditioners. The previous property-by-property dollar caps on the tax credit are also eliminated, and an aggregate $1,500 cap applies to all property qualifying
for the credit.
Increased Credits for Residential energy property:
The new law removes the dollar limitations on certain energy credits, e.g., for qualified small wind energy property ($4,000 cap); for qualified solar water heating property ($2,000 cap); and qualified geothermal heat pumps ($2,000). The credit remains 30% of the qualifying expenses, just that there is no cap on the expenditures or the amount of the credit.