Installing a geothermal heat pump system for your home has never looked so good! The federal government is offering a 30% tax credit to homeowners who install qualifying geothermal heat pump systems before December 31, 2016. Taxing advantage of this tax credit can help you save on the installation costs of your new heat pump system.

A tax credit reduces the tax you owe dollar for dollar, unlike a tax deduction which removes only a percentage of the tax you owe. The federal tax credit is 30% of the cost of your geothermal heat pump system. This also includes installation and labor costs as well as the cost to purchase the heat pump equipment. There is no upper limit, or cap, on the tax credit for installing a new geothermal heat pump; prior to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the credit was capped at $2,000.00.

To qualify, your heat pump system must be installed at residential properties; rental homes are not qualified. If you are building a new home before the deadline, you can also take advantage of this tax credit when you install a geothermal heat pump system. Second homes or vacation homes are also eligible for the tax credit. Your heat pump system must also meet the federal equipment requirements for efficiency:

Closed Loop:

·         EER ≥ 14.1
·         COP ≥ 3.3

Open Loop:

·         EER ≥ 16.2
·         COP ≥ 3.6

If you have installed a qualifying geothermal heat pump system in recent years, you may be eligible to receive the tax credit, too. This tax credit covers qualifying systems installed January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2016.

Some local rebates are also available for installing qualified geothermal heat pump systems. Through the New Jersey's Clean Energy Program residents can apply for a $500 rebate. In Pennsylvania, PECO customers can apply for $217 per ton rebate. For example, if your home needs a 4 ton geothermal heat pump. You can apply for a $868 rebate.

The federal tax credit can certainly help you recoup installation expenses faster for your new geothermal heat pump system. Take advantage of these incentives now; contact Smith Sustainable Design to begin planning for the installation of a new heat pump system at your home.

Solar system panels are usually installed on the roof of a home, or can be installed on the ground. Often, the roof is the best location for mounting solar panels, allowing the panels to be placed where they will have maximum sun exposure. Many homeowners have questions about how the installation of solar system panels will affect their roof.

One worry is about the weight of the panels, and whether or not their roof is strong enough to support all the equipment. Solar system panels are probably lighter than you assume, ranging from 25 to 40 pounds each on average, and the average home may need 12 to 20 solar system panels to produce the right amount of energy needed. Regardless of the weight, don’t worry that your roof may collapse due to your solar system panels. Our installation experts will calculate the load capacity of your roof to make sure the panels will not overload the roof.

Mounting solar system panels properly plays a big role in protecting your roof from damage. We mount the panels using the rafters to provide strength and support. The rafters of your roof are like the studs in your walls, you want to utilize them because they are strong and durable.

Solar system panels can provide protection for your roof. They absorb the sunlight beating down on your roof- this sunlight damages roofing materials, causing them to wear out over time and require replacement. They also block heat from being absorbed through your roof into your home which can cause you to turn up the air conditioning, using excess energy. Solar system panels can save you money on cooling costs as well as roofing maintenance.

The installation team at Smith Sustainable Design takes great care to protect your roof during solar system panel installation. We take every precaution to ensure safe installation which preserves the integrity of your home’s roof. Contact us today for more information about installing solar system panels for your home.