Energy Efficiency (Section 179D)

We provide studies for Americans companies to assess the energy efficiency of commercial buildings. You may be eligible for a tax deduction of up to $1.80 per square foot for improving the energy efficiency of your existing commercial buildings or designing high efficiency into new buildings.

Who / What Qualifies?
Energy Policy Act of 2005 – (EPAcT). Extended until 2017*.
Our firm provides engineering-based reports to assist owners achieve the Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives for owners of commercial properties.  

The Energy Policy Act of 2005
Includes a tax benefit for investments in energy efficient commercial properties designed to significantly reduce:
• Heating and Cooling Elements (HVAC)
• Interior Lighting Energy
• Building Envelope

Eligibility The energy efficient commercial property must be placed in service between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2017. Under Section 179D of the Internal Revenue Code for the proposed or newly installed: lighting upgrades, HVAC, hot water and building envelope, we can perform the certification process and conduct this process in accordance to section 1331 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Pub. L. No. 109 58119 Sta. 594 (2005) enacted Section 179 D of the Internal Revenue Code.

* Currently the Senate is working to extend 179D for 2018 and 2019 tax years!

Who can benefit from the energy tax deduction?
• The person or organization that pays for construction is generally the recipient of the deduction. This is usually the building owner, but for some HVAC or lighting efficiency projects it could be the tenant.
• Building or renovation must have been put into service after December 31st, 2005.
• Building must be at least 40,000 square feet to qualify.

Overview
Section 1331 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 provides for and allows a deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings that reduce annual energy and power consumption by 50% compared to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standard. A maximum deduction of $1.80 can be obtained if a reduction in energy consumption reaches 50%. Additionally, a partial deduction of $0.60 per square foot for building sub systems.

Sub-Systems Lighting, HVAC, Hot water and Building Envelope.

Partial Deductions Owners of new and existing buildings (placed in service prior to the date of enactment) may earn a partial deduction of $0.60 per square foot per “system” for upgrading one or two major building Sub Systems.

Our firm follows the IRS Guidelines relative to partial deductions and the interim rule, Partial Credits and the Permanent Rule Notice 2006 – 52, Calculations methods – Notice 2006 – 52, and the Certification – Notice 2005 – 52.

Scope of Services Our engineer(s) will conduct a physical inspection and perform and Energy Efficiency Study (EEF) to calculate, determine and certify the allowable deductions for part or all of the cost of Energy Efficient lighting, HVAC, hot water and building envelope or any of these Sub-Systems that have been placed in service after December 31, 2005 and before January 1, 2015.

Interim Rules – Lighting Interim rules (existing while the Secretary of the Treasury develops long-term rules) establishes a deduction of $.30 per square foot for buildings “or portion of buildings” that achieve at least 25% lighting savings relative to the ASHRAE 90.1-2001 lighting power density (watts per sq ft) requirements (but excluding ASHRAE’s (“additional lighting power allowances”) and that also uses bi-level switching. This deduction increases progressively to $0.60 per square foot for using bi-level switching and achieving 40% lighting savings.

Method of Computation The Performance Rating Method (PRM) must be used to compute the percentage reduction in the total annual energy and power costs with respect to combined usage of a building’s heating, cooling, ventilation, hot water and interior lighting systems as compared to the minimum requirements of standard 90.1-2001.

The Energy Efficiency Study (EES) Process:
• Initial data is gathered to evaluate the potential tax savings for implementation of EES and Certification.
• Once Letter of Engagement is authorized, someone from our engineering team will visit site/buildings and inspect equipment.
• Prescribed calculations will be made on the energy usage and proposed usage utilizing IRS approved software.
• The calculations, the certification of approved and qualifying assets/equipment will be completed and the (EES) documenting the allowable credits will be delivered to taxpayer/property owner.

tags: Section 179D, Energy Tax, Incentive, tax deduction, $1.80 per square foot, energy, efficiency, commercial building, designing, high efficiency, new buildings, Energy Policy Act of 2005, EPAcT, extended, 2013, qualified, certify, quantify, Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives, owner, commercial property, Energy Policy Act of 2005, tax benefit, investments, energy efficient, commercial properties, reduce, Heating, Cooling, Elements, Interior, Lighting, Energy, Building Envelope, Internal Revenue Code, lighting upgrades, HVAC, hot water, certification process, accordance, section 1331, Pub. L. No. 109 58119 Sta. 594, construction, recipient, building owner, HVAC, lighting, efficiency projects, tenant, 40,000 square feet, Section 1331, reduce annual energy, power consumption, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers, ASHRAE standard, $0.60 per square foot, building sub systems, upgrading, sub systems, IRS Guidelines, partial deductions, interim rule, Partial Credits, Permanent Rule Notice 2006 – 52, calculations methods, Certification – Notice 2005 – 52, scope of services, physical inspection, Energy Efficiency Study, EEF, calculate, determine, certify, allowable deductions, December 31, 2005, January 1, 2008, Interim Rules, $.30 per square foot, portion of buildings, 25% lighting savings, ASHRAE 90.1 – 2001, lighting power, density, watts per sq ft, additional lighting power allowances, bi-level switching, Method of Computation, Performance Rating Method, PRM, percentage reduction, total annual energy and power costs, combined usage, building’s heating, cooling, ventilation, interior lighting, systems, standard 90.1-2001, implementation, EES, Certification, engineering team, prescribed calculations, energy usage, proposed usage, IRS approved software, qualifying, assets/equipment, allowable credits, taxpayer/property owner