2011 Builders Federal Tax Credit for new Homes

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Permalink Reply by Tyson Pischel on October 14, 2011 at 8:08am

Going from Energy Star to tax credit level in Washington State may not require any addition measures depending on which compliance pathway you choose. To qualify my statement, the "Northwest Energy Star" requirements are more stringent than national because of the higher requirements of the Starr codes.
I would suggest modeling after the NW Estar program and see if anything additional is needed.
Lastly, if you are making suggestions to builders on how to build to that standard, ducts in conditioned space or mini split along with a better wall system are no brainers in my book.
Hope this helps"
Tyson

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Permalink Reply by Roger Shipp on October 26, 2011 at 10:47am

Thanks for taking the time to reply

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Permalink Reply by Eric Lowry on October 27, 2011 at 9:45am

Has this tax credit program been extended beyond the end of 2011?

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Permalink Reply by Kent Mitchell on October 27, 2011 at 3:04pm

We too are located in Washington State and have found that most homes built to the "NW Energy Star V 2.5" requirements meet the Federal tax credit.  The exception is a ranch style house meeting the bare ES minimums - they usually have to upgrade the equipment/windows beyond ES.  The requirements can be found at http://www.northwestenergystar.com/partners and look/click on the BOP1 for gas homes or BOP2 for electric homes.

We have heard differing opinions whether the tax credit will extend into 2012 - not likely though, seeing the stagnation that Congress is experiencing.  They can't seem to get anything done that benefits OUR country. :(

 

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Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Sauls on November 15, 2011 at 9:23am

The rebate is tied to heating/cooling energy usage. I've simulated a lot of different things trying to determine what makes the biggest impact for Atlanta - Zone 3, and equipment efficiency seems to have the biggest impact. 15 SEER with a 95% furnace (or 9.0 HSPF heat pump) usually gets a home over the hump here. If the ducts are in the attic, duct leakage makes a big impact too. CFL's also have a large impact in REMRate. I have found that it will be very hard to get there without the equipment upgrade though.

 

The current extension is set to expire at the end of this year. Not sure if another extension is in the works. Of course we didn't get the current one until December of last year and it covers all of 2010 and 2011. The DSIRE website (www.dsireusa.org) has a good explanation. It's under the Federal Rebates section: second one under "Corporate Tax Credit".

 

Hope that helps.

Jeffrey

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