EPAct Tax Deduction Encourages Facility Managers to Think Holistically





By Charles Goulding, Jacob Goldman and Kenneth Wood  
OTHER PARTS OF THIS ARTICLEPt. 1: More HVAC Projects Qualify for Federal Tax DeductionsPt. 2: Geothermal, VAV Devices Also Offer HVAC Tax SavingsPt. 3: This PagePt. 4: HVAC Product Showcase


The EPAct tax deduction is designed to encourage facility managers to look at a building holistically and to utilize integrated design to reduce overall building energy use. Facility managers can take advantage of major improvements in lighting system efficiency to leverage HVAC system efficiency and use the combined cost savings to obtain multiple tax deductions. Simply stated, buildings with energy efficient lighting are well-positioned to get further tax savings from efficient HVAC.

For example, a building that already has efficient lighting — increasingly including LED lighting — may well be able to achieve Section 179(D) tax deductions of $1.20 to $1.80 per square foot for installing a geothermal, thermal storage or chilled beam ceiling system.

The same goes for non-air-conditioned warehouses with LED or other efficient lighting that install very efficient heaters. In those spaces in northern states, heating is typically the second highest energy cost, after lighting, which may account for 50 to 70 percent of total energy costs. If lighting has been upgraded, energy efficient heaters, which can provide energy cost savings of eight percent or more compared to a building designed to meet ASHRAE 90.1-2001, offer a good opportunity for larger tax deductions.

In fact, a facility with LED or other efficient lighting that installs any of the 11 efficient HVAC projects is a good candidate for a tax deduction of $1.20 to $1.80 per square foot.


Continue Reading: Showcase: HVAC

More HVAC Projects Qualify for Federal Tax Deductions

Geothermal, VAV Devices Also Offer HVAC Tax Savings

EPAct Tax Deduction Encourages Facility Managers to Think Holistically

HVAC Product Showcase



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  posted on 4/1/2010   Article Use Policy




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