Claiming the Home Energy Credit and claiming Home office Expense for new HVAC system

[violicious25]

We got a brand new HVAC system last summer 2025 & when doing my taxes I'm a little confused as to whether I can claim the Home energy Credit under Personal: Your Home and if I can also write it down under the business tab for Home Office Expenses. It's all a little confusing and I don't want to over claim something. 

There is a section under Home Office Expenses saying I could "Enter repair expenses." The HVAC system definitely affects my home office. I would include it under the Entire home repairs and maintenance section (NOT the Home Office Only Repairs section). 

Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Vanessa A]

Are you trying to claim the Home Energy Credit and a home office deduction for the same HVAC system replacement?

If so, no you cannot claim the energy credit and then list the replacement as a repair under home office.

If you were not taking the credit, you still could not list the replacement as a repair.  The replacement of the HVAC system would be an asset and depreciated. 

Repairs and maintenance are not the same as replacements. 

[violicious25]

Thanks Vanessa A., 

Yes, I'm trying to place the HVAC system as an asset so it could be depreciated, but I cannot figure out where to find it in my Turbotax. I waited to put it in, but couldn't figure out where to put it. That's why I thought maybe I should just put it under Home Energy Credit, but I don't think I will get as much for it under that credit as if I depreciate it as an asset. 

Do you happen to know where I can find that? 

Thanks!

[Vanessa A]

You will probably make out better with the credit, then with depreciation.  The credit is worth up to $1,200.  If you did both heating and air, you could get $1,200. 

If you have a qualified home office, you can put it in as a business asset, then you would select specific qualified improvements.  A few questions later you will be asked "Tell us more about your business asset"  Here you will need to select that it is not used entirely for business.  Then you will need to allocate based on the square footage of your home office to your total home.  It will then be prorated based on the percent usage and depreciated over 39 years. If you use only 10% of your home for the home office and paid $12,000 for the HVAC system, your deduction would be less than $50.