Why do the thieves go to the trouble to steal HVAC systems? Copper prices have gone through the roof, at over $3 a pound in some places. A lot of people are seeing it as an easy way to make fast money. Since April 2005, the price of copper pipe and tubing has risen nearly 71 percent. Thieves steal it and re-sell it. Air Conditioners are a favorite target for copper thieves because the copper cooling coils can be easily folded and stored. One AC coil could fetch between $50 to $100 in copper.
The salvage yards and recycling plants take it in virtually every form. Copper is 100 percent recyclable and selling scrap copper can be lucrative. Recyclers on average pay 90 percent of the new copper price, or more than $3 a pound for scrap, according to the Copper Development Association.
Recyclers cannot tell if copper items have been stolen because there are no identifiers. This is a major concern for business and also residential owners. Some business owners are responding to the thefts by installing cages or fences around their HVAC units.
If you need help with anti-theft devices, please call us for an evaluation of your infrastructure and learn about options to protect your investment. Having to get an air conditioner replacement can be costly at an inopportune time for you.
Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency
Tax Credits for 2010
Certain items are eligible for the Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit. The amount of the Tax Credit is 30% of the cost up to $1,500 and expires December 31, 2010. The improvements must be on your existing, personal residence. New construction and rentals do not qualify. You must keep your receipts and the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement. For products “placed in service” in 2010, you would take the tax credit on your 2010 income taxes by submitting Form 5695 Residential Energy Credits with your taxes. There is no upper or lower limit on income for the energy efficient tax credits.
Items that qualify include:
- Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems (details on HVAC tax credit)
- Insulation
- Water Heaters (non-solar): Gas, oil propane, electric heat pump.
- Geothermal Heat Pumps
Residential HVAC products including: Central A/C, Air Source Heat Pumps, Geothermal Heat Pumps, Gas-Oil-Propane Furnaces, and Water Heaters are eligible for tax credits anywhere from $50-$300 and for Geothermal Heat pumps, the tax credit is 30% of the cost of the system, up to $2000.
Keep in mind however, that there are specific requirements and restrictions for the times these items are placed in service, as well as efficiency ratings. Not all furnaces or central a/c systems or heat pumps will qualify. As a general rule, 95% efficiency furnaces, 15 SEER Central AC systems, 14 SEER Packaged systems, 15 SEER Air Source Heat Pumps and certain water heaters qualify. The Tax Credit includes installation costs for HVAC systems and water heaters that qualify. The Tax Credit does NOT include installation costs for insulation.
You can learn more about which items qualify for the tax credit and how to apply for the tax credit at the EnergyStar.gov website.
Tax Credits for 2009
For products “placed in service” in 2009, you need to file the 2009 IRS Form 5695 and submit it with your 2009 taxes (by April 15, 2010).
The Economic Advantage of Tax Credits
The reason many homeowners are so excited about this program is because tax credits, unlike deductions, are subtracted directly from the total amount you owe on your personal income taxes. For example, if you complete your tax return and calculate that you owe the IRS $2,000, a tax credit of $1,500 will reduce your tax bill to only $500. Of course, be sure to check with your tax adviser on how to best take advantage of the tax credits.
Testing Indoor Air Quality
The 80/20 Rule
Most business space air infiltration is based on the 80/20 rule – 80% air circulation is, surprisingly, via attics, crawl spaces, and walls; the remaining 20% is, typically, via doors and windows. Add to this the age of the building and general wear and tear on the HVAC equipment, and you get a good picture of how the quality of air can affect your general health and/or aggravate a sensitive respiratory system. Additionally, air infiltration is money literally out of the building – higher energy costs and more wear and tear on your HVAC systems.
This may seem trivial to most of us, but let’s take a look at the effects of this infiltration from the various sources to get a better understanding of how it could affect our health and comfort for the time during the year we spend inside our businesses. The quality of the indoor air we breathe can be summarized as follows:
- Attic air leakage can contain dust, insulation fibres, dust and other unsightly contaminants.
- Basement and crawl space leakages can contain radon gas, mold and mildew.
- Duct, attic stairs, and recessed light fixtures can draw in dust and other contaminants.
- During the winter, air leaking into the house can dry out the building.
- During the summer, warm air adds humidity.
How do you remedy these issues?
Most contractors will promote a filtration system that attempts to remedy a problem, and one that generates high maintenance costs to you, the business nowner. All Quality Heating & Air, on the other hand, conducts a series of tests that produce measurable results – both from diagnostic tests and estimates on the heating and cooling losses. This also helps educate and allows the consumer to make better decisions when it comes to comfort and health.
Some examples of testing that we do are:
- Infiltration tests that provide measured results of air leakage
- Demonstrative duct, supply and return leakages
- Estimate of energy efficiency losses that translate into energy dollars
- Thermal imaging, which provides a map of hot, damp or moisture areas
The full range of tests are objective, non-intrusive, non-invasive, and provide conclusive results. Our job is to educate and help you make the right decision for you and your business when it comes down to Indoor Air Quality – after all, health and comfort are important to all of us.
