If you’re a homeowner, it may be worth it to read up on the Inflation Reduction Act. Via this recently-passed bill, you might be eligible to score tax rebates and incentives worth thousands of dollars, all designed to help improve your home’s energy efficiency.
One study found that the new law could save homeowners more than $37 billion on energy bills alone.
Saving money on your taxes and helping fight climate change? Not a bad deal. Here are four ways the Inflation Reduction Act might come in handy.
- Electric car tax credits
- Reduced electricity bills
- Tax credits for solar panels
- Rebates for energy-efficient appliances
1. Electric car tax credits
If you’re the owner of an electric car—or have been considering one—you may qualify for a tax credit of up to $4,000 for the purchase of a used electric vehicle, and up to $7,500 for a new electric vehicle.
Keep in mind the electric vehicle must be manufactured in North America in order to qualify, a portion of the law that not everyone is thrilled about.
2. Reduced electricity bills
Heating bills are expected to reach record highs this winter—something the Inflation Reduction Act hopes to tackle by supporting a wider move to cleaner, cheaper sources of electricity.
There are two grant programs for homeowners who cut down on their energy usage. Homeowners who slash their energy use by 35% through home renovations like energy-efficient insulation and HVAC installation would be eligible for a maximum $4,000 rebate. Homeowners who reduce their energy use by even just 20% would see a maximum $2,000 rebate.
3. Tax credits for solar panels
The Inflation Reduction Act is offering a 30% tax credit for homeowners who install solar panels, wind turbine systems, or other renewable energy equipment.
For example, if you install a $15,000 solar electric system, you could receive a $4,500 tax credit for your 2022 taxes. What’s more, you’d likely save an average of $1,500 annually on your energy bill for switching to such an energy-efficient system.
This tax credit also includes battery storage technology—so if you install a new battery system alongside a solar panel system, for example, you can also use that towards your overall tax credit. There’s no maximum amount that can be claimed.
Homeowners are eligible for the 30% tax rebate through December 2032. After that, the tax credit will drop to 26% through 2033, and 22% in 2034.
If you do take advantage of the act’s tax credit, your new solar panels may well add a significant amount to your home’s reconstruction cost, so you’ll want to reach out to your insurance provider to make sure you’re adequately covered.
And if you insure your home with Lemonade, you can cover your solar panels against mechanical breakdown by adding our Equipment Breakdown Coverage endorsement. This added layer of protection costs only about $3/month for Lemonade homeowners.
4. Rebates for energy-efficient appliances
You can save money by switching to greener appliances in your home, as well — homeowners can get a maximum of $14,000 for buying and installing energy-efficient home appliances or making efficient home upgrades. The Inflation Reduction Act also covers up to $150 of the cost of a home energy audit, in which a professional will come to your home to determine what type of energy-efficient upgrades you can make for your specific home.
The amount of savings you can expect depends largely on the type of appliance. For example, consumers who invest in an energy-efficient heat pump water heater will be eligible for a rebate of up to $1,750. An upgraded electric load service center upgrade may be eligible for a $4,000 rebate. In the kitchen, you can get a rebate of up to $840 for an electric stove, cooktop, range, or oven.
The same goes for insulating and sealing energy leaks in your home — some households are now eligible for a rebate of up to $1,600 just for improving their home’s insulation, on top of the utility bill savings from better insulation.
To qualify for these rebates, you need to meet certain energy-efficiency criteria, like purchasing appliances with Energy Star ratings. Your income also can’t be more than 150% of your county’s median income.
Securing your investment
Even if you aren’t planning on making your entire home eco-friendly or replacing all of your appliances or insulation, there are plenty of small ways to save money via the Inflation Reduction Act—so make sure you read up on all the ways you could save money come tax time next year. If you’re curious on how much you may be able to get with the Inflation Reduction Act, you may be able to calculate it here.
Meanwhile, while we’re on the subject of a great value for your money: In just a few minutes, you can get a quote for a Lemonade homeowners policy. Click the button below to get started.
