ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) originally formed in 1996 to help homeowners save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. According to ENERGY STAR, Americans who followed the program’s guidelines saved enough energy in 2010 to cut greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 33 million cars AND saved a collective $18 billion on household utility bills. Today, ENERGY STAR is a national, recognizable symbol on over 60 home product categories (and thousands of models) that homeowners trust when they are buying energy efficient appliances.

 Top 5 Reasons ENERGY STAR Appliances Are a Great Investment

1. ENERGY STAR appliances include energy efficient refrigerators, dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers, furnaces, air conditioners, ceiling fans, freezers, water coolers, dehumidifiers and air purifiers.
2. Since heating and cooling represent nearly half of a home’s energy consumption and costs, ENERGY STAR appliances such as ENERGY STAR geothermal heat pumps, programmable thermostats and energy efficient furnaces and air conditioners can significantly lower utility bills. Plus, as of December 1, 2009, homeowners who install ENERGY STAR geothermal heat pumps are eligible for an unlimited 30% federal renewable energy tax credit.
3. ENERGY STAR appliances deliver the same or BETTER performance as comparable appliance models while using LESS energy and saving MORE money. In addition to cutting household energy bills, ENERGY STAR appliances help homeowners reduce greenhouse gas emissions, limit waste production and improve indoor air quality.
4. With ENERGY STAR appliances, homeowners don’t sacrifice budget, performance, features, style or comfort because the standards for appliances to qualify for this designation are so high.
5. If qualified ENERGY STAR appliances cost more than their conventional, less energy efficient counterparts, buyers will be able to recover their investment through lower utility bills within a reasonable period of time.

Ask a GeoElite dealer how ENERGY STAR appliances such as ENERGY STAR geothermal heat pumps can help you save money, while you protect the planet!

Studies show that heating, cooling and hot water combined account for over 70% of a typical home’s annual utility bills. Energy efficient HVAC systems, like those powered by ENERGY STAR geothermal heat pumps, can significantly control and decrease residential energy costs. ClimateMaster’s geothermal systems offer a 400% improvement in energy efficiency compared to high efficiency natural gas furnace systems, which results in up to 80% savings in HVAC costs. That’s probably why more than a million homeowners have installed geothermal heating and cooling systems in their homes.

If you are in the market for ENERGY STAR appliances, ask our GeoElite dealers why you should consider ClimateMaster’s energy efficient HVAC systems that use ENERGY STAR geothermal heat pumps.

Contact a GeoElite dealer today to learn how ClimateMaster’s geothermal HVAC systems can help you take advantage of the Residential Energy Efficient Property Tax Credits (Section 1122) program.

Federal residential renewable energy tax credits were first introduced in the US by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. At that point, the law was restricted to solar-electric systems, solar water heating systems and fuel cells. In 2008, small wind-energy systems and geothermal heat pumps were added to the sustainable energy tax credits program under the Energy Improvement and Extension Act. While these laws opened homeowners’ eyes to the financial benefits of investing in energy efficient home improvements, they were limited to $2,000. By 2009 the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act eliminated the cap on renewable energy tax credits for all eligible technologies (except fuel cells) placed in service after 2008. The program has been extended to December 31, 2016 and has gained national momentum.

ClimateMaster’s ENERGY STAR geothermal heat pumps are covered by the current American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s Residential Renewable Energy Property Tax Credits (Section 1122) program. Unlike the Residential Energy Property Credit (Section 1121) for traditional products that expired at the end of 2011, Residential Renewable Energy Property Tax Credits (Section 1122) is active through the end of 2016. Under this law (1122), taxpayers can claim unlimited 30% renewable energy tax credits for qualified, ENERGY STAR geothermal heat pumps installed in US homes on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before December 31, 2016. If the geothermal pumps were/are installed as part of new home construction, residents must take occupancy of the house within these dates to qualify.  Eligible homes do NOT have to be the taxpayer’s principal residence. Qualified geothermal heating and cooling systems installed in 2008 are still limited to a cap of $2,000 in sustainable energy tax credits.

Contact a ClimateMaster GeoElite dealer today for more information about our ENERGY STAR geothermal heat pumps and residential renewable energy tax credits.