Does anyone know if they have done anything with the tax credits to make them retroactive to last year?  Ie...those of us who installed at the end of 2008? The 2K cap was nice, but 30% is much better....

I don't have any info on dates, though I just received some interesting info that some of you may want to review:

"On Friday afternoon I was asked to review a draft copy of an edited version of the Energy Star Program Requirements for Geothermal Heat Pumps by a representative of AHRI. This document had been edited with input from the water source industry. Once approved, the eligibility criteria will be changed substantially from Version 2 that was issued in 2001. The proposed changes include elimination of the water heating requirement in order to qualify as an Energy Star product, specifically including the ground heat exchanger as a part of the geothermal heat pump, and the addition of water to water categories for both open and closed loop water source products.

The proposed minimum efficiency requirements for closed loop water to air is 17.1 EER up from 14.1 and the COP has been raised from 3.0 to 3.5. In the open loop water to air category the proposed new minimum EER is 20.1 and the COP 3.8. The current requirement is 16.2 EER and 3.6 for the COP. No minimum requirements have been provided yet for the water to water systems.

Manufacturer warranty requirements will be two years parts and labor for the complete system and five years parts and labor for major components including the compressor, refrigerant expansion devices, reversing valves, air coils, and heat exchangers. It is the responsibility of the installer to warranty the earth loop installation for a period of two years. The document states: “Since the performance of the geothermal heat pump is significantly related to the design and installation of the ground heat exchanger, Partner must strive to ensure that the customer receives warranty protection for the integrity and performance of the ground heat exchanger for at least two years. Partner will inform all distributors and dealers of ENERGY STAR labeled geothermal heat pumps of the need for warranty protection for the customer. Partner will focus its ENERGY STAR marketing efforts in regions where contractors provide customer warranties.”

Comments from the DGX product section are due by Friday, May 1, 2009. The proposed date for implementation of Version 3 is September 1, 2009."

The energy star website was updated recently. You may be able to find some of your answers from the following website.

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits

The IRS Form 5695 hasn't been updated for 2009.  

On the radio this morning I heard mini split heat pumps with a "high" SEER do qualify, that of course was from a local HVAC and not a tax person...

$500 for mini split heat pumps is what I heard