Program Overview

ECP is part of the State’s Sustainable Building Tax Credit Program. This State tax incentive is for homeowners and businesses that install energy efficient products and electrification measures in existing homes and businesses. Qualifying energy conserving products include doors and windows, EV Ready updates, heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and insulation that meet ENERGY STAR performance values or equivalent performance values for the climate zone in which the products are installed.

Who is eligible?

To qualify, property owners must meet the following criteria:

  • Income Eligibility: All residents are eligible, but affordable housing and low-income residents are eligible for higher tax credit amounts
  • Property Requirement: Update to existing residential or commercial (less than 20,000 square feet) building

What is offered?

The program offers state tax credits for qualified ENERGY STAR products and energy efficiency upgrades. You can purchase multiple items at different times. There is no limit on how much total state tax credit you can claim or how many qualifying ENERGY STAR products or upgrades you can purchase and install as long as each item meets the program’s requirements.

How can I apply?

  • Install a qualifying Energy Conserving Product
  • Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility with EMNRD. See required documentation details below.
  • Receive approval from EMNRD. If approved, EMNRD issues a Certificate of Eligibility.
  • Submit the Certificate of Eligibility with your tax return to the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department.

What Tax Credits are offered as part of the ECP Program?

State Tax Credit Caps for Energy Conserving Products

For installation of energy conserving products in affordable and non-affordable existing residential or commercial (less than 20,000 square feet) buildings effective January 1, 2021:

Product  Affordable Housing and Low Income Non-Affordable Housing and Non-Low Income
Energy Star air source heat pump $2,000 including product and installation costs (per product installed if the applicant is a low-income taxpayer) $1,000 including product and installation costs per product installed
Energy Star ground source heat pump $2,000 including product and installation costs (per product installed if the applicant is a low-income taxpayer) $1,000 including product and installation costs per product installed
Energy Star windows and doors one hundred percent of product and installation costs up to $1,000 (per product installed if the applicant is a low-income taxpayer) fifty percent of product and installation costs up to $500 per product installed
Insulation improvements that meet department’s rules one hundred percent of product and installation costs up to $2,000 (per product installed if the applicant is a low-income taxpayer) fifty percent of product and installation costs up to $1,000 per product installed
Energy Star heat pump water heaters $700 including product and installation costs (per product installed if the applicant is a low-income taxpayer) $350 including product and installation costs per product installed
Electric vehicle ready $1,000 including product and installation costs (per product installed if the applicant is a low-income taxpayer), $3,000 for commercial property $500 including product and installations costs per product installed, $1,500 for commercial property

Statute – 3.3.35 NMAC 2021 Sustainable Building Tax Credit Personal Income Tax
Statute – 3.4.22 NMAC 2021 Sustainable Building Tax Credit Corporate Income Tax

Required Documents

See the application instructions and checklist for details.

  • Proof of Property Ownership: A copy of a deed, property tax bill or legal description of the building.
  • Itemized Invoice: showing the description of the product, quantity of product, cost of the energy-conserving product and cost for installation labor cost.
  • Proof of Inspection, if applicable

Other required documents are listed below by product:

  • Heat Pumps and Heat Pump Water Heaters
    • Heat pump performance specifications, including a specification sheet from the ENERGY STAR website including the full model number.
    • A copy/photo of the ENERGY STAR label for the installed model.
  • Windows and Doors
    • Performance specification values, ENERGY STAR website equipment specification sheet showing complete model number and rating performance values, or photo/copy of ENERGY STAR label for specific model of installed items.
  • Insulation
    • Material specification sheet showing the R-value or U-value of insulation.
    • Material flame spread index and smoke development ratings.
    • A certification provided by the contractor showing the installed thickness of insulation following the manufacturer’s installation instructions for blown-in or sprayed-on insulation.
  • Electric Vehicle Ready
    • A specification sheet for the electric vehicle charging unit showing the service panel upgrade with 40 amperes, and a 208-volt or 240-volt dedicated branch circuit.
    • A one-line diagram showing the ampere and voltage rating of the dedicated branch circuit for each charging unit.
  • Any additional documents the department requests to review the project.