Monday, December 5, 2016

Are You Complying with the DOE’s Latest SEER Regulations?  

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Last year, the Department of Energy (DOE) introduced new regional standards to increase efficiency ratings. Under the new standards, contractors in the Southeast region* are responsible for keeping detailed documentation of all split-system central air conditioners they sell. Contractors must keep this information on file for four years from the date of installation. As we approach the New Year, here is a reminder of exactly what information you are responsible for maintaining.



Source: Rheem
  • Manufacturer Name
  • Model Number
  • Serial Number
  • Homeowner information:
    • Name
    • Address (street, city, state, zip)
    • Phone Number
    • Date of Installation
  • Information for the distributor from whom you made the purchase:
    • Name
    • Address (street, city, state, zip)
    • Phone Number
  • For new construction, the following information is also required:
    • Builder information:
      • Name
      • Address (street, city, state, zip)
      • Phone Number
      • Address of Installation (lot number, subdivision name and street name, if known)
  • For multi-family construction, the following information is also required:
    • Builder information:
      • Name
      • Address (street, city, state, zip)
      • Phone Number
      • Address of installation (complex name and unit number)
        • Note: It is very important that the unit number matches the model and serial numbers exactly. If you are audited and these numbers do not match, you will be fined.

In the event of an alleged violation against the regional SEER standards, the DOE will request to see documentation. Failure to produce the correct documentation may result in a fine.

Staying up to date on the new regulations and what they mean for your business is key. To ensure you understand what information you need to keep on file, we’ve created a form with editable fields you can fill in. To download the form, go to www.comforttn.com/files/2483/File/Customer_Information_Sheets.xlsx or ask your local branch manager for a copy.

*This is the first time the new DOE standards have varied regionally. For the purpose of the customers we serve, the information included in this blog relates to contractors installing equipment in states across the Southeast region: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, or Virginia or in the District of Columbia. For regulation information pertaining to the “Southwest” or “North” regions, please click here.

Monday, September 19, 2016

Federal Tax Credits Available for Energy Efficient Equipment  

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Homeowners who purchase or have recently purchased energy efficient equipment, such as water heaters and air conditioners, are eligible for federal tax credit under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2015. This tax credit is available for purchases made in 2016, as well as retroactive for qualifying purchases made in 2015 and it is effective until Dec. 31, 2016.

Geothermal system tax credits and solar water heaters are unaffected by these changes and remain in place through Dec. 31, 2016. 

Help your homeowners save money. Here’s what they need to know:

Qualifying equipment includes:
  • High-efficiency water heaters
  • Furnaces
  • Boilers
  • Heat pumps
  • Central air conditioners
  • Building insulation
  • Windows
  • Roofs
  • Biomass stoves
  • Circulating fans in qualifying gas furnaces
Other information to note:
  • An eligible homeowner can receive up to $500 in tax credits.
  • Tax credits can only be applied to equipment installed in a homeowner’s primary residence, not a second home.
  • To apply for these tax benefits, homeowners can download the IRS form here.
Homeowners will look to their local contractor for the correct documentation needed to claim the tax credit. Make sure you have the facts. To learn more about federal energy efficiency tax credits, visit the Air-Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Institute. For a list of qualifying Rheem equipment, click here.

Photo credit: Saving Money via photopin (license)