COVID-19 Updates News Geothermal
NGWA applauds extension of geothermal heat pump tax credit in U.S. COVID-19 relief bill

Westerville, Ohio – The National Ground Water Association is applauding the extension of the geothermal heat pump installation tax credit included in the recently passed U.S. COVID-19 relief bill.

The bill, the Consolidated Appropriations Bill, 2021, includes language which extends the Energy Efficiency Property Tax Credit (residential credit) for GHPs for two years at its current level of 26 per cent of total installation cost, the National Ground Water Association said in a news release. In 2023, the credit steps down to 22 per cent and then expires in 2024. The Investment Tax Credit (commercial credit) maintains its current level of 10 per cent through 2023.

The tax credits were established to provide home and business owners with an incentive to install renewable and efficient energy technologies in their homes and businesses.

NGWA, which represents geothermal heat pump manufacturers, suppliers, and installers, was an instrumental part of the tax credit’s creation in 2008 and its reinstatement in 2018. Geothermal technology was briefly excluded from the 2016 extension of the credit due to the 2008 recession and housing market crisis.

“These tax credits will go a long way toward maintaining jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic and keeping the economy strong throughout our recovery,” said NGWA government affairs chairman Brian Snelten, PG. “With the additional benefits these tax credits offer to home and business owners and the environment, we are thrilled lawmakers saw this as an opportunity to do something that will help the entire country.”