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Thinking about installing AC, tax breaks?
May 16, 2023 at
05:15 PM
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Long story short, half of my house doesn't have AC and that includes 4 of the bedrooms. I'm considering installing a ductless solution but it's pricey - about $22k for an LG system (also functions as an air source heat pump).
There are a few breaks though - the utility offers a $1k rebate.
I'm looking into state (CT) and federal tax breaks - am I looking at it correct that for the fed, the rebate is 30% up to $2k? Are there income limits?
The state has its own rebate - $1k per ton, which would be $4k for this install.
Its important to understand the credits ahead of time as they comprise a large part of the cost - $6k in credits is over 25% of the cost of the install.
There are a few breaks though - the utility offers a $1k rebate.
I'm looking into state (CT) and federal tax breaks - am I looking at it correct that for the fed, the rebate is 30% up to $2k? Are there income limits?
The state has its own rebate - $1k per ton, which would be $4k for this install.
Its important to understand the credits ahead of time as they comprise a large part of the cost - $6k in credits is over 25% of the cost of the install.
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There are a few breaks though - the utility offers a $1k rebate.
I'm looking into state (CT) and federal tax breaks - am I looking at it correct that for the fed, the rebate is 30% up to $2k? Are there income limits?
The state has its own rebate - $1k per ton, which would be $4k for this install.
Its important to understand the credits ahead of time as they comprise a large part of the cost - $6k in credits is over 25% of the cost of the install.
For example:
https://www.trane.com/residential...a
but single stage AC as it made no sense for the AC.
If you get a split system make sure the company doing the install does a lot of them they can be tricky. We installed a 3 unit split in my daughter's condo and she loves it.
For example:
https://www.trane.com/residential...a
but single stage AC as it made no sense for the AC.
If you get a split system make sure the company doing the install does a lot of them they can be tricky. We installed a 3 unit split in my daughter's condo and she loves it.
Like this system with the remotes it works great!//
If you want to save money, consider installing an attic fan and attic insulation first, and maybe a whole house fan. We have insulation and central air. I put a fan in to exhaust the heat from the attic. The fan runs many hours, which takes some power, but it keeps the house much more pleasant throughout the day. I need to do the same thing for my office, since in the evening, the heat in the attic radiates downward.
Like this system with the remotes it works great!//
- minisplit in each room - so a larger indoor unit, and a compressor outside.
- ducted - basically the evaporator is in the attic and ducts are run to each room. Compressor is still outside
Ducted is $2.5k more than ductless, and that's because of the ductwork involved ($5k IIRC). Ductless is nice because it allows each room to be fine tuned, but the units are larger and on the outside of the home, you need multiple routes for linesets and drains.
Here are the specific units: LG Red ducted [lghvac.com]
And the specific costs: ductless $21263 and ducted $23607
If you want to save money, consider installing an attic fan and attic insulation first, and maybe a whole house fan. We have insulation and central air. I put a fan in to exhaust the heat from the attic. The fan runs many hours, which takes some power, but it keeps the house much more pleasant throughout the day. I need to do the same thing for my office, since in the evening, the heat in the attic radiates downward.
I love the idea of a whole house fan, however that requires opening windows and such for makeup air and it's just not practical for our family.
- minisplit in each room - so a larger indoor unit, and a compressor outside.
- ducted - basically the evaporator is in the attic and ducts are run to each room. Compressor is still outside
Ducted is $2.5k more than ductless, and that's because of the ductwork involved ($5k IIRC). Ductless is nice because it allows each room to be fine tuned, but the units are larger and on the outside of the home, you need multiple routes for linesets and drains.
Here are the specific units: LG Red ducted [lghvac.com]
And the specific costs: ductless $21263 and ducted $23607
I already have 2 forced air vents in the attic, they are on a tstat. The fans existed when I bought the home but one was bound up (bad) and the other was on a physical switch (WTF?). So now they come on automatically. As far as insulation is concerned, it seems to be blown in fiberglass. It's in my plan to put down more batting this fall, when it's not so hot to work up there.
I love the idea of a whole house fan, however that requires opening windows and such for makeup air and it's just not practical for our family.
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Yeah well I can only do what I can do. In my old home, I did a 2-3 month rehab of the attic which I ultimately added blown cellulose on top of the batting that existed, including spray foam and all sorts of things. I don't want to go that far in this home though.
All kinds of projects are no longer happening around here as I see <5 years before we move.
All kinds of projects are no longer happening around here as I see <5 years before we move.
I am estimating around 15 years.