Energy Tax Credit

Yes, I have seen the product finder but quite frankly, it is useless.  Dancing around but never getting to the point.

A few years back, I printed out a map of the U.S. showing all the zones and columns for various U-factors and SHCG factors.  Sort of a "if the U-factor is this, then the SHGC needs to be this".  I went to the URL which was on the old map and, of course, it is a dead link now.

It is very difficult to do a good job for my clients if the info isn't available.  And in this case, it isn't them.  Who knows you need  you keep window stickers?  And even if you did keep them, how do I know whether those numbers qualify?  And trying to get it for windows or doors from the manufacturer after the fact?  Forget it.  Did the furnace bill of sale ever say how efficient it is?  Have you then tried to find on the furnace website the efficiency rating for that particular make and model?  All this stuff takes time.   Because of this lack of info or difficulty finding the info, I have been hoping every year that this credit would just die.  But it has more lives than a cat.  Over the past years, I have wasted more time trying to figure out if something qualifies or not.  The manufacturers websites are for the most part useless.  After 30 minutes or so I usually find my answer, which in 90% of the cases turns out to be that the window, door, hot water heater, etc. does not qualify.  And I end up not charging for that time.

I imagine some here just blow it off if the client doesn't have and cannot give definitive info that it qualifies.  I also imagine that some here just claim the credit just because the client states they got a new this or that.  And I see both sides of that, as I just want to get stuff done and move on.  The biggest reason the unfinished pile gets bigger in my office is unresolved energy credit issues by far.

I'm just wondering how much time if any others here spend trying to determine if an energy related item qualifies for the credit.

@qbteachmt said:

"Am I just looking in the wrong place?"

Yes, because you are asking about two different qualifications.

Not everything Energy Star is also IRS tax credit. It might be Energy-company credit or rebate, and it might be State credit or rebate.

You look at the IRS eligibility, and it will tell you a certification or level rating, such as SEER 16 or 85% minimum efficiency, or whatever. Then the specific purchase can be evaluated. Just having Energy Star doesn't give the quantitative info.

I respectfully suggest you follow your own advice and actually look at the IRS eligibilty.  Please look at the Form 5695 instructions for doors and windows.  It says "...that meets the Energy Star program requirements" and "...that meet Energy Star certification requirements".

If you read my post, you will see I am looking for where these requirements are.  Clearly, for doors and windows, they are NOT where you say there are.  So again, the question is where does one look to find these requirements by the various regions?  Does anyone have an updated map?