Is your AC bill too high in the summer or your heating bill too high in the winter? Not sure what to do about it? Well the answer is a home energy audit – and the government may help pay for it!
Think of it as a check-up for your house. A home energy assessment, sometimes known as an energy audit, reveals how you use energy, spots any waste, and helps you plan upgrades that may cut your bills by 5 to 30%. Plus, It ensures your home’s health and safety.
Now the federal government could give you a tax credit up to $150 for getting an energy audit of your home!
First things first, make sure your home is eligible for the audit. It needs to be located in the United States, and it should be an existing home, not a newly built one. Also, the home must be your primary residence – you can’t claim the credit if you’re a landlord or you don’t live there.
Next, you’ll need to find a qualified home energy auditor. They should have a certification from a program approved by the Department of Energy, showing they’re properly trained to do the audit you need.
Head over to irs.gov/HomeEnergyAuditCredit and walk through the steps to claim your tax perks.
Visit the frequently asked questions page to find answers to qualification questions: irs.gov/EnergyEfficientQs
WHAT FORMS DO I NEED
When filing your tax returns, you must fill out Form 5695. Once you’re ready to fill it out, head straight to the PDF irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f5695.pdf by clicking this link.
HOME ENERGY AUDIT
Take a look at this audit infographic energy.gov/EnergySaverAudit101 to learn more about energy audits and how they work.
SHARE WITH OTHERS
Share this URL with your friends and family who would benefit from a chance to get money back for an energy audit. Spread the word so others may take advantage of these savings too!