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AC Tool Supply Offers Stimulus to Florida HVAC Contractors for Air Conditioning "Cash for Clunkers" Rebate Program

AC Tool Supply launches an exclusive for the Florida HVAC "Cash for Clunkers" program offered by the Florida Department of Energy. In an exclusive program for Florida home energy auditors, HVAC/R testing & air balancing contractors, AC Tool Supply has agreed to offer these professionals their own $1,500 stimulus program. This program is for rebates off of the equipment necessary to get geared up for the Florida air conditioning replacement program.

The Florida Energy Star® Residential HVAC rebate program kicks into full effect on August 30, 2010 and expires December 31, 2010... or until the $15 million allotted for the program is spent. The Florida Energy Star® Residential HVAC Rebate program gives Florida homeowners an incentive to upgrade their existing air conditioning systems to a more efficient unit. Not only will the program save consumers money through duct tightening and a much higher efficiency air conditioning unit, it will also provide jobs to both the HVAC/R and home energy auditing industry within the state of Florida. For the homeowner the incentive is $1,500, which can also be "stacked" with the federal stimulus program that allows for an additional 30% rebate or $1,500, whichever is less. Combined with programs offered by local governments and discounts from HVAC/R unit manufactures, upwards of half of the cost of the unit can be covered by incentives alone.

In an attempt to assist HVAC/R professionals to get qualified for this program, Clean Edison is offering BPI certification classes in Florida on both blower door and duct tester training.

In order to qualify for the program, Florida residents must purchase either a central air conditioner, air source heat pump or geothermal heat pump that meets the Federal Energy Tax Credits standards and hire either a Florida Class 1 Rater, a State of Florida licensed Mechanical Contractor, or a recognized test and balance agent to perform a duct test on your home to document that you have no more than 15 percent duct leakage to the outside. A blower door and duct test is required in order to perform air leakage to the outdoors. In addition most home energy audit professionals will do a complete home analysis using an infrared camera, combustion analyzer, gas leak detector, ambient CO meter (carbon monoxide) and even a particle counter. All these diagnostic technologies can lead to higher indoor air quality (IAQ), energy savings and an overall comfort of living within a home.