There is no planet B. 

Think Green

About ENERGY STAR Central Air Conditioning-

Most of us don’t really think too much about our air conditioning units until summer. But with higher temperatures arriving early this year, now is the time to take a look at your air conditioning unit before it gets too hot. Or worse – before your unit breaks.

 New Tax Incentives Available for Air Conditioner Replacement

There are new tax credits available to those who choose to go green and replace their air conditioning units with newer, non-ozone damaging, energy-efficient models. The recently passed federal stimulus bill (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) offers a new tax credit for 30% of the installation costs(up to $1500) to homeowners who install qualified central air conditioning units January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010.

The stimulus bill also removed the $500 lifetime cap from similar tax credits that were available in 2006 and 2007. Homeowners that claimed tax credits in those years may still be eligible for the full $1500 tax credit for 2009-2010. In addition, local power companies like Con-Edison and LIPA may offer additional rebates of up to $400 for installation of high-efficiency systems.

 A more energy-efficient air conditioning replacement unit uses far less energy and can reduce your energy costs by up to 40%. Combined with the new tax incentives and rebates being offered, it can quickly pay for itself.

Environmental Regulations on Air Conditioning Units Change Next Year

Not only does replacement of your older air conditioning unit with a new one provide a financial incentive, but there is an environmental benefit as well.

New environmental requirements will go into effect in 2010 that will regulate the chemicals used in air conditioning units. The R-22 coolant used in most central air conditioning systems manufactured in the past is a HCFC (hydrochloroflurocarbon) that causes chlorine emissions – and chlorine gas is one of the manmade emissions which damage the ozone. This coolant is slated to be replaced by R410a – a new, chlorine-free and non-ozone damaging coolant – in all air conditioners sold starting in 2010.roduction of units using ozone-damaging R22 will continue until 2020 but will be substantially reduced as all air conditioning manufacturers switch to using R410a. The price for units using the old R22 is rapidly rising while the cost for the more environmentally friendly R410a units is dropping.  These newer air conditioning units are far more energy efficient than the older units, saving homeowners a significant amount of money, particularly if you live in an area which is prone to hot summers.

Production of units using ozone-damaging R22 will continue until 2020 but will be substantially reduced as all air conditioning manufacturers switch to using R410a. The price for units using the old R22 is rapidly rising while the cost for the more environmentally friendly R410a units is dropping.