Home energy tax credit, something the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provided for consumers as an incentive for making energy-efficient home improvements, will expire soon. This means there is still time for homeowners to make their last home energy efficient decisions before the year ends. But Consumer Reports suggested that Energy Star standards need to change, the Los Angeles Times reported.
According to the paper, 23% of Americans have upgraded to a more energy-efficient air system alone. This has to do with the high number of products that fall under the Energy Star rating categories. Criticisms revolve around the low standards for energy-efficient products.
Qualifying products should be updated to reflect the appropriate incentives, Consumer Reports said.
Of the 91% of consumers who made a home energy purchase, only a quarter took the advantage of the home energy tax credit. In a survey of more than 1,500 homeowners, most said the rules behind this incentive program were too complicated, the LA Times reported.
The federal energy tax credit program will expire Dec. 31.
