Governor Charlie Crist today encouraged Floridians to learn how to receive a Florida ENERGY STAR® Residential HVAC rebate by visiting www.rebates.com/floridahvac.
Beginning Monday, August 30, 2010, Florida homeowners who upgrade their air conditioning systems can qualify to receive a $1,500 rebate.

The program will end on Friday, December 31, 2010, or when the $15 million in rebate funds are depleted.

The Florida ENERGY STAR® Residential HVAC Rebate Program Web site – www.rebates.com/floridahvac – contains details about how consumers can qualify for the rebate by taking the following steps:

• First, read all instructions for the Florida ENERGY STAR® Residential HVAC Rebate Program.
• Second, purchase and install a central air conditioner, air source heat pump or geothermal heat pump that meets the Federal Energy Tax Credits standards between Monday, August 30, 2010, and Friday, December 31, 2010.
• Third, make any necessary repairs to reduce leakage from the air conditioning duct system.
• Fourth, hire either a Florida Class 1 rater, State of Florida licensed Mechanical Contractor, or recognized test and balance agent to perform a duct test on your home to document no more than 15 percent leakage to the outside.
• Fifth, submit a completed rebate application form, along with four additional documents:

1. A copy of the HVAC system price and payment receipt with the make and model clearly identified.
2. A copy of the mechanical building permit issued by either your county or city for your HVAC system replacement.
3. A copy of the summary (first page) of the ACCA Manual J program.
4. A copy of the Air Distribution System Test Report indicating a leakage score of 0.10 Qn.out or less.

All applications must be postmarked on or before Friday, December 31, 2010; however, because rebates will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, the first applications to be processed will be more likely to receive rebates.