Cool and Efficient Buildings Act

The Cool and Efficient Buildings Act (H.R. 1241) proposes a change to the federal tax code to shorten the depreciation period for heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), and commercial refrigeration systems in nonresidential buildings from 39 years to 20 years. By allowing building owners to write off the cost of these systems more quickly, the bill aims to provide a financial incentive for businesses to replace older, less efficient equipment with modern, energy-saving technology. For the general public, this policy is intended to reduce energy consumption in commercial spaces and lower the long-term operational costs for businesses such as grocery stores, offices, and retail centers.