It’s never too early to start tax planning for 2025! With Arizona’s scorching summer temperatures on the way, energy-efficient HVAC systems are essential for homeowners to keep utility bills under control while maintaining comfort. Fortunately, there are numerous federal tax credits and local utility rebate programs available that can significantly offset the costs of investing in new high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment or home energy upgrades. Here are some of the top opportunities you should take advantage of.

Federal Tax Credits

The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in 2022, extended and expanded several tax credit opportunities related to HVAC, insulation, windows, and other home efficiency projects. Through 2032, homeowners can claim:

• Up to $600 tax credit for energy-efficient central AC, air-source heat pumps, and natural gas furnaces.
• Up to $600 credit for water heaters, biomass stoves, and electric panels.
• Up to $1,200 annual credit for insulation, exterior windows, skylights, and exterior doors.

To qualify, HVAC equipment and other components must meet specific energy efficiency ratings. Installation costs are covered with no cap on total credits claimed for eligible projects.

SRP Residential Rebates

Salt River Project offers several HVAC rebates for its residential electric customers: $200 per double HVAC load, $85/ton for variable speed AC units, and $150 for ENERGY STAR multi-split systems with ratings of 19+ SEER. There are also rebates for room ACs, insulation, windows, and whole-home energy efficiency upgrades. This is an easy way for you to upgrade your HVAC system and take advantage of these rebates.

APS Coolcash Incentives

Arizona Public Service’s incentive program provides rebates for replacing central AC units with advanced 16+ SEER air conditioners or heat pumps. The cash back amounts range from $280 to $725 based on the new system’s efficiency rating. APS also offers discounts on window AC units, duct repairs, and insulation.

Get in Touch with Bruce’s HVAC Experts Today

With summer right around the corner, you know as an Arizona homeowner that you pay a premium to keep things cool. Don’t miss out on these phenomenal tax credits and rebates that can save you thousands when upgrading your home’s HVAC. Check qualifications, file for credits at tax time, and reap the savings over the long-term by reaching out to your knowledgeable local experts at Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating. Call us today at 480-968-5652 to schedule your appointment.

Phoenix metro might boast year-round sunshine, but when winter lingers, indoor air quality often takes a hit. Stagnant air, high ozone levels, blooming flowers and trees, and even everyday activities can contribute to a cocktail of pollutants that irritate lungs and impact overall health. Let’s explore the top culprits threatening your home’s air quality during late winter.

1. Dust, Pollen, and the Dreaded Dust Storm:

As winter winds pick up, they can whip up dust and pollen, creating a potent respiratory irritant. Closing windows and doors might seem your logical choice, but it traps existing pollutants inside. Investing in an air purifier with a HEPA filter can trap these airborne particles, significantly improving indoor air quality.

2. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs):

These chemicals, emitted from household products like paints, cleaning solutions, and personal care items, can build up indoors, especially with closed windows. You’ll want to opt for low-VOC alternatives whenever possible, ensure proper ventilation during and after product use, and properly store strong-smelling products outside if possible.

3. Mold and Mildew:

Winter months with limited ventilation and potential moisture leaks can create a breeding ground for mold and mildew. These microscopic organisms can trigger allergies and respiratory problems. You’ll want to inspect for signs of moisture intrusion, address leaks promptly with your trustworthy local HVAC specialists, and use dehumidifiers to control humidity levels below 55%.

4. Pet Dander and Fur:

While your furry friends bring love and joy, their dander and fur can exacerbate allergies and asthma. Regular grooming, frequent vacuuming, and dedicated pet-free zones can minimize airborne pet allergens. You may want to consider buying air purifiers with HEPA filters specifically designed for pet dander.

5. Carbon Monoxide (CO):

This odorless, colorless gas, a byproduct of combustion, can leak from gas appliances, fireplaces, and even portable generators. Install CO detectors in your home and ensure proper maintenance of all combustion appliances. Regularly testing these detectors is crucial for early detection and prevention of CO poisoning.

Your health and comfort depend on good indoor air quality. At Bruce’s Air Conditioning, we believe everyone should be breathing clean indoor air. Our certified technicians are available for questions and concerns 24/7, including all holidays. Call us today at 480-968-5652 to schedule an appointment for specific recommendations and solutions tailored to your home’s unique needs.

Summertime brings particular air quality issues for Arizona homeowners. Monsoon thunderstorm season brings extreme heat and high humidity levels which can create challenges for your HVAC system and indoor air quality. With windows and doors shut and the air conditioner on for comfort, indoor air quality can decline to unhealthy levels.

Here are six ways to maintain your home’s indoor air quality during monsoon season and beyond:

1. Replace Air Filters

   The first line of defense to keep indoor air quality high is your AC air filter. During the summer monsoon thunderstorm season, haboobs (dust storms) can form generating huge amounts of dust and debris which can quickly overload your HVAC system. This excess dust and debris eventually get trapped in your air filters and ductwork. By getting in the habit of regularly replacing air filters, you can minimize much of the contaminants from entering your inside air. Ideally, filters should be replaced at least every 30 days during the summer months.

2. Keep Indoor Dust Levels Down

   For family members with respiratory issues such as allergies, asthma, and COPD, summer dust storms can be very problematic. The American Lung Association recommends a regular schedule of dusting and vacuuming to help keep indoor dust levels down.

3. Use Localized Ventilation

   Turn on range hoods and exhaust fans when cooking or showering to reduce indoor humidity levels. Using ceiling fans and portable fans can be useful to reduce heat levels in nearby rooms.

4. Keep Out Mold and Mildew

   Fix any leaky indoor plumbing which can contribute to the growth of mold and mildew and decreased air quality. Regularly check and clean areas in your bathrooms where standing water or excess humidity may reside resulting in mold and mildew.

5. Add Indoor Plants

   Adding more indoor plants can help clean indoor air of carbon dioxide. Plants can even reduce formaldehyde, benzene, and VOC toxins.

6. Whole-House Air Purifier

   Your experienced air conditioning technicians at Bruce’s can provide you with an evaluation of your house’s air to let you know what particulates are circulating indoors. In some cases, a whole-house air purifier may be a wise decision to reduce your home’s air of dust mites, spores, mildew, fungus, bacteria, and other contaminants.

By incorporating these ways to improve your indoor air quality, you’ll be able to breathe a little easier during the hot months of summer. Call your professionals at Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating today at 480-968-5652 to schedule your appointment.

Summer in Arizona is the perfect time to do some deep cleaning of your HVAC system ducts. Were you aware that dirty air ducts can decrease the effectiveness of your home’s central heating and cooling system and reduce indoor air quality?
Duct cleaning is a great way to enhance the lifespan of your HVAC system, improve indoor air quality, and lessen the frequency of respiratory symptoms such as dry or irritated eyes, nose, throat, and skin along with sinus congestion, coughing, sneezing, wheezing, and headaches.

What’s Duct Cleaning All About?

Performing air duct cleaning can help decrease the amount of pollen, dust, mold spores, and other contaminants that get trapped in the numerous air ducts throughout your home. These microscopic levels of contaminants accumulate inside your house and can directly affect your family’s health and increase monthly energy bills. Air duct cleaning will reduce these levels of environmental triggers for asthma, allergies, and COPD.

In the Valley of the Sun, pests and rodents can also make themselves at home in your air ducts. Cleaning your air ducts maintains the hygiene of home and eliminates these pesky creatures.

The best way to avoid serious duct contamination is to have a qualified service provider clean the components of your duct system. Components that should be cleaned include supply and return air ducts, evaporator coils, diffusers, registers, grilles, heat exchanger coils, condensate drain pans, fan motor housing, the air handling unit housing, and other associated components. Failure to clean one or more of these components can result in re-contamination of your home. Any holes, leaky joints, or cracks will be sealed properly during servicing.

In a typical air duct cleaning, our technicians will use special tools to dislodge contaminants and debris from duct surfaces. Then, we’ll use a high-powered vacuum to remove the debris into one of our trucks. When you have your HVAC system’s air ducts cleaned, you allow the fans in the system to easily circulate clean air throughout your home.

HVAC Air Duct Cleaning

The desert climate of Arizona naturally lends itself to contamination of HVAC system air ducts. It’s important to have periodic air duct cleaning to restore your HVAC system to its original cleanliness and operating efficiency levels. Call Bruce’s today at 480-968-5652 to have one of our qualified technicians come to your home and assess the current state of your HVAC system ducts. You can count on Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating to help protect your HVAC system and your indoor air quality.