Consumer columnist and West Hartford resident Harlan Levy has more than 20 years of experience writing stories about everyday experiences that anyone could encounter.

By Harlan Levy

Hey homeowners: If you thought you can take advantage of tax breaks for buying devices under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act’s Residential Clean Energy and Energy Efficient Home Improvement programs – set to last for 10 years – guess what?

Under Trump’s “Big Beautiful” tax and domestic policy bill passed in July – dedicated to eradicate clean energy and anti-pollution efforts – the tax breaks are terminated on Dec. 31, 2025.

That means if you want the tax breaks you have to buy and install subject devices by the end of the year, with price caps or 30 percent caps.

I asked the U.S. Department of Energy for the following list of items eligible for the tax breaks:

Source: U.S. Department of Energy

Product and Potential Tax Deduction:

• Home energy audit: $150
• Insulated skylights: $600
• Insulated doors: $500
• Insulated windows: $600
• Water heater: $600
• Furnace: $600
• Boiler: $600
• Central air conditioning unit: $600
• Electrical components for a panel upgrade: $600
• Weather stripping or air sealing: $1,200
• Air-source heat pump: $2,000
• Heat pump water heater: $2,000
• Biomass stove or boiler: $2,000
• Electric vehicle charger: $1,000
• Fuel cells: 30% of cost
• Solar energy system: 30% of cost
• Geothermal heat pump: 30% of cost
• Battery storage technology: 30% of cost
• Small wind turbine: 30% of cost

Before you buy any of these items check the program requirements and tax form instructions, which you can obtain from the IRS.

Recall 1: Pork jerky and metal  

On Friday the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that LSI Inc., an Alpena, S.D. company, has been ordered to recall approximately 2,277,540 pounds of a ready-to-eat Korean barbecue pork jerky product that may be contaminated with pieces of metal.

The jerky product has a one-year shelf-life with “best by” dates ranging October 23, 2025, through September 23, 2026, printed on the side of the packaging. The following product is subject to the recall: 14.5-oz. and 16-oz. plastic pouches containing “GOLDEN ISLAND fire-grilled PORK JERKY Korean BARBECUE recipe.”

The product subject to recall bears establishment number “M279A” inside the USDA mark of inspection. This item was shipped to Costco and Sam’s Club retail locations nationwide.                   

The problem was discovered after the company received multiple complaints from consumers finding pieces of wiry metal in the pork jerky product. LSI determined that the metal originated from the conveyor belt used in production.

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ pantries. Consumers who have purchased this product are urged not to consume it. This product should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Recall 2: Frozen chicken – and metal again

FSIS has announced that Hormel Foods of Austin, MN is recalling approximately 4,874,815 pounds of foodservice ready-to-eat frozen chicken products that may be contaminated with pieces of metal.

The affected chicken breast and thigh products were distributed to HRI Commercial Food Service locations nationwide on various dates from Feb. 10, 2025 through Sept. 19, 2025. The following products are subject to recall:

• 13.9-lb. cases containing “Hormel FIRE BRAISED MEATS ALL NATURAL BONELESS CHICKEN THIGH MEAT,” with item code “65009” printed on the label.
• 13.8-lb. cases containing 3-oz.“Hormel FIRE BRAISED MEATS ALL NATURAL BONELESS CHICKEN BREAST,” with item code “77531” printed on the label.
• 13.8-lb. cases containing 4-oz.“Hormel FIRE BRAISED MEATS ALL NATURAL BONELESS CHICKEN BREAST,” with item code “46750” printed on the label.
• 23.8-lb. cases containing 5-oz.“Hormel FIRE BRAISED MEATS ALL NATURAL BONELESS CHICKEN BREAST,” with item code “86206” printed on the label.
• 13.95-lb. cases containing “BONELESS CHICKEN BREAST WITH RIB MEAT,” with item code “134394” printed on the label.

The products bear establishment number “P-223” inside the USDA mark of inspection.                   

The problem was discovered after the establishment received multiple complaints from foodservice customers finding metal in their frozen chicken breast and chicken thigh products. Hormel Foods determined that the metal originated from the conveyor belt used in production.

FSIS is concerned that some products may be in freezers and should be thrown away.

Now you know.

NOTE: If you have a consumer problem, contact me at [email protected] (“Consumer” in subject line), and, with the power of the press, maybe I can help.

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