Enjoy warmth and convenience, being more energy-efficient and being good to the environment. Throughout your home, from the kitchen to the laundry room, nothing adds efficiency, comfort and convenience like natural gas products. No matter the season natural gas is the fuel of choice for home heating, water heating, cooking and fireplaces for an overwhelming number of residents in the Richmond area. The benefits are clear; nothing adds comfort and convenience to your home like natural gas and recent innovations in Natural Gas appliances can substantially reduce cooking time and fuel consumption.

Customers located on or near on of the city of Richmond’s gas mains may be able to convert to natural gas. If your home is near one of our gas mains, you may be able to receive gas service.

Benefits of Converting to Natural Gas

Home Heating:  High-efficiency natural gas heating systems are up to 97% efficient and will keep you warm through the coldest months of the year.

Water Heating: A natural gas water heater provides a seemingly endless supply of hot water and heats two times the amount of water per hour than an electric model.

Natural Gas Ranges: Preferred by the world's best chefs, they turn on and off instantly, and provide precise temperature control.

Natural Gas Fireplaces: Enjoying a fire has never been easier. A flick of a switch turns them on and off, and when you're done there are no ashes to clean up.

Available Tax Credit

Tax Credit:

10% of cost up to $500

Expires: December 31, 2011

Details:Must be an existing home & your principal residence. New construction and rentals do not qualify.

Natural Gas Furnace

Requirements: AFUE = 95

More Information

How to apply

Gas Furnace FAQs

Natural Gas Water Heater

Requirements: Energy Factor = 0.82 OR a thermal efficiency of at least 90%.

Tax Credit includes installation costs.

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How to apply

Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit

Source: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index

This tax credit was amended and extended through December 31, 2011 by the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010. On January 1, 2011 several characteristics of this credit changed from their 2010 form. Most significantly, the cap was reduced from $1,500 to $500. The cap is on the total amount of credits a homeowner may claim between 2006 and 2011, not just for 2011. If a homeowner has already claimed $500 or more in credit through this allowance, they will be unable to claim new credits for improvements made during 2011.

This credit applies to energy efficiency improvements in the building envelope of existing homes and for the purchase of high-efficiency heating, cooling and water-heating equipment. Efficiency improvements or equipment must serve a dwelling in the United States that is owned and used by the taxpayer as a primary residence. The maximum tax credit for all improvements made in 2011 is $500. The cap includes tax credits for any improvements made in 2006 - 2010. If a taxpayer claimed $500 or more of these tax credits in any previous year, any purchases made in 2011 will be ineligible for a tax credit.

Building Envelope Improvements

Owners of existing homes may receive a tax credit worth 10% of the cost of upgrading the efficiency of the building's envelope. Installation (labor) costs are not included and the credit is capped at $500 for all improvements. To be eligible for the credit, the improvement must meet the prescriptive requirements established for it under the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (including supplements). The following improvements are eligible for the tax credit:

• Insulation materials and systems designed to reduce a home's heat loss or gain
• Exterior doors and windows (including skylights) --- no more than $200 in total credits can be claimed for windows in years 2006 - 2011
• Pigmented metal roofs designed to reduce heat gain, and asphalt roofs with appropriate cooling granules.

Heating, Cooling and Water-Heating Equipment

Taxpayers who purchase qualified residential energy-efficient property may eligible for a tax credit. The credit is equal to the full cost of the equipment up to the following caps:

• Advanced main air circulating fan: $50
• Natural gas, propane, or oil furnace or hot water boiler with an annual fuel utilization rate of 95 or greater: $150
• Electric heat pump water heater with an energy factor of at least 2.0: $300
• Electric heat pump which achieves the highest efficiency tier established by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency: $300
• Central air conditioner which achieves the highest efficiency tier established by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency: $300
• Natural gas, propane, or oil water heater which has either an energy factor of at least 0.82 or a thermal efficiency of at least 90 percent: $300
• Biomass stoves that use "plant-derived fuel available on a renewable or recurring basis, including agricultural crops and trees, wood and wood waste and residues
• (including wood pellets), plants (including aquatic plants), grasses, residues, and fibers": $500

Background

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 established the tax credit for energy improvements to existing homes. The credit was originally limited to purchases made in 2006 and 2007, with an aggregate cap of $500 for all qualifying purchases made in these two years combined. There were also separate individual caps for the different equipment types. The Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 (H.R. 1424: Div. B, Sec. 302) of 2008 reinstated the credit for 2009 purchases and made other minor adjustments. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (H.R. 1: Div. B, Sec. 1121) further extended the credit to include purchases made in 2010 and replaced the $500 aggregate cap with a $1,500 aggregate cap for installations made in 2009 and 2010. This credit was again renewed in 2010 for purchases made in 2011, but reverted the credit back to its original form and original cap of $500.

Geothermal heat pumps were originally eligible for this credit, with a $300 cap. However, geothermal heat pumps are now eligible for the residential renewable energy tax credit, with no cap.

Source: Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) http://www.dsireusa.org/

*Always check with your personal tax accountant.

Please see the City of Richmond’s Charge Policy for New Residential/Commercial Gas Service Lines