[pomelo]

I have been reading that one can have a 19i installed for the same price as a 14i because of current high efficiency unit incentives (tax credit, Trane rebates, poco rebates, etc.). I was wondering if a lot of people are not taking advantage of these incentives and why not. One of the main reasons I ask is that my brother wants me to replace his unit. The only problem is that I will more than likely not be able to get him the tax credits and rebates. I recently changed career paths, but I do still have connections in the HVAC field. I can still get the equipment from my old company. Also, my state allows a home owner to pull a mechanical permit for the job. I will likely only charge $1500 over the equipment cost. This will cover slab, drain pan, duct board, disconnects, my time, etc.

 

[hvac122]

We install them all the time. Still cheaper even with the credits.

 

[sktn77a]

The only problem is that I will more than likely not be able to get him the tax credits and rebates.

Well, you may not be able to get the manufacturer's rebate (as they typically split them with the installing company), but there's no reason he couldn't get the federal tax credit or utility rebate.

???

 

[pomelo]

The utility credit is pretty small in my area, and you have to be a contracting partner. I'm not sure how the tax credit works, but I would assume he would need an invoice of some type. I know prices are highly localized, but I believe a 19i can be installed for around $6k to 7k after incentives. A 13 seer would run him about 4k if I installed it.

One last question, does a 15i with a matched variable speed air handler qualify for any of these incentives?

 

[kenmac]

One last question, does a 15i with a matched variable speed air handler qualify for any of these incentives?

The manufacture of the equip. should have a list of which units qualify for the tax credit

 

[beenthere]

So who is going to cover the 2 year labor warranty that 19i is suppose to come with?

 

[Plumber101]

We install them all the time. Still cheaper even with the credits.

Same here

 

[beenthere]

Yep.

13 and 14 SEER are cheaper cor the customr then a 18 or higher SEER.

 

[Home Air Direct]

13 & 14 SEER account for over 90% of the current retrofit market.

As said above, this equipment is still the best buy, even without the tax credit. If you take the $1,500 tax credit and balance it against the additional costs associated with the qualifying equipment, it actually takes a lot longer than you realize to gain back the difference gained by efficiency over a tried and true workhorse well built 13 or 14 SEER system.

And, the higher efficiency equipment and air delivery systems are not always well suited for older, loose homes, and this adds even more time to the recoup timing that never shows up in a cost/benefit calculation.

If your situation is one that you have a well designed home that can take full advantage of higher efficiency air delivery systems, and you must have the best (for whatever reason), than go for it, but don't get so caught up in the tax credit for the sake of getting the tax credit.

Being a country boy, we call this "Swallowing elephants and then chocking on ants".

 

[Home Air Direct]

Yep.

13 and 14 SEER are cheaper cor the customr then a 18 or higher SEER.

Beenthere just said in one sentence what I said. He wins:thumbup:

 

[pomelo]

So who is going to cover t
he 2 year labor warranty that 19i is suppose to come with?

I'll cover the warranty. I have been repairing his units for quite a while. I'm pretty close to my old boss, so he usually gets me the parts. Does anyone have a link to a calculator for cost analysis? I want to try to estimate the payback period and cost savings of higher efficiency units.

 

[Home Air Direct]

Does anyone have a link to a calculator for cost analysis? I want to try to estimate the payback period and cost savings of higher efficiency units.

Here ya go.

http://www.acdoctor.com/cooling_calculator.php