Homeowners Earn Home Comfort Tax Credits While Making Wishes Come True


NORMAN, OK--(Marketwire - September 22, 2009) - As heating season approaches, Luxaire is giving homeowners two more reasons to consider buying a new heating system. By purchasing an energy-efficient heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system from Luxaire, homeowners can support the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America and take advantage of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) tax credits -- as much as 30 percent of the installed cost of improvements made from Jan. 1, 2009, through Dec. 31, 2010, up to a total of $1,500.

What products qualify for the tax credit?

-- A natural gas, propane or oil furnace rated at 95 percent annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) or higher

-- Any furnace equipped with an advanced main air circulating fan that uses no more than 2 percent of the total furnace energy use

-- A central air conditioner that achieves a 16 seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) or higher, 13 energy efficiency ratio (EER) or higher rating

-- An electric air source heat pump that achieves 15 SEER or higher, 12.5 EER or higher, 8.5 heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF) or higher rating.

"We are celebrating Luxaire's 70th birthday this year," said Brian Michael, Luxaire brand manager. "Our products have evolved since 1939, when gas-fired gravity furnaces operated at 60 percent efficiency, measured more than four feet tall and had one firing rate. Now, we have 33-inch products that operate at 98 percent efficiency with multiple firing rates. A properly-installed, high efficiency system can save homeowners money on their energy bills -- and tax incentives make it an even better time for homeowners to consider buying a more efficient HVAC system."

Purchases of Luxaire equipment also support the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the largest wish-granting charity in the United States. Luxaire's eight-year sponsorship of the Make-A-Wish Foundation has resulted in donations exceeding $1.75 million. The most recent contract between the two organizations extends the national sponsorship into 2011 and commits $675,000 in Luxaire contributions over three years to the national program.

In addition to Luxaire's commitment to the national organization, the Luxaire network of distributors and dealers works with local Make-A-Wish® chapters to organize a variety of fundraising activities. For example, Solar Supply, Inc., Lake Charles, La., will host at least 12 Make-A-Wish children and their families at baseball games throughout the 2009 season. "It's a way for our dealers and their employees to give back to the communities where they live and work," said Quitman Moon, Solar Supply regional sales manager. "It's an incredible experience for all of us, whether it's contributing to the granting of a wish or treating a family to a baseball game. I think it's safe to say that we get as much, if not more, out of the experience as we give."

For more information about Luxaire, or to find a Luxaire dealer near you, visit www.luxaire.com.

About Luxaire

Luxaire® products from Johnson Controls, Inc., include high-performance residential central air-conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces and accessories and light-commercial, packaged heating and cooling systems marketed through a network of distributors and delivered to home- and building-owners through independent Luxaire heating and air conditioning dealers. For more information about Luxaire, visit www.Luxaire.com.

Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls is the global leader that brings ingenuity to the places where people live, work and travel. By integrating technologies, products and services, we create smart environments that redefine the relationships between people and their surroundings. Our team of 140,000 employees creates a more comfortable, safe and sustainable world through our products and services for more than 200 million vehicles, 12 million homes and one million commercial buildings. Our commitment to sustainability drives our environmental stewardship, good corporate citizenship in our workplaces and communities, and the products and services we provide to customers. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/.

Make-A-Wish Foundation

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Born in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 65 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes and has granted more than 180,000 wishes in the United States since its inception. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit wish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish®.

Contact Information: CONTACT: Abby Butt abby@godfrey.com (717) 393-3831 Please Direct Reader Inquiries to: Brian Michael Luxaire Brand Manager Johnson Controls 5005 York Drive Norman, OK 73069

A properly-installed, high efficiency system can save homeowners money on their energy bills -- and tax incentives make it an even better time for homeowners to consider buying a more efficient HVAC system. Wish child Hunter and Solar Supply Regional Sales Manager Quitman Moon recently enjoyed a Houston Astros baseball game in Minute Maid Park.