EARN UP TO $1500 IN TAX CREDITS
FOR SAVING ENERGY!
Q: Why is the government offering energy tax incentives to consumers?
A: When energy-efficient products are used in or on a home it’s good for the environment. Last year alone, energy-efficient products helped Americans save enough energy to power 10 million homes and avoid greenhouse gas emissions from 12 million cars—all while saving $6 billion.
Q: What type of exterior home products qualify for a tax credit, and where can I find them?
A: As an EnergyprosTM remodeling dealer, we offer a complete line of energy-efficient windows, skylights, doors, roofing and insulation materials that meet the qualifying guidelines for a government tax credit. Visit www.energystar.gov for more information.
Q: What tax credit will I get for using qualifying exterior products?
A: Home owners can receive a maximum tax credit of up to 30% of the cost of materials, up to $1,500, for combined improvements made between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010. The cost of installation is not included.
Q: What is a tax credit?
A: A tax credit is generally more valuable than an equivalent tax deduction because a tax credit reduces the tax you owe dollar-for-dollar, while a deduction only removes a percentage of the tax that is owed. Home owners can itemize purchases on their federal income tax form, which will lower the total amount of tax they owe the government.
Q: What do I do to get an energy tax credit?
A: Once we have completed your qualifying energy-efficient project, we will provide a receipt that acts as proof of purchase, including a break-down of the total product cost (the cost of installation does NOT qualify for a tax credit). We will also provide a copy of the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement for the qualifying products. Improvements that we complete in 2009 will be claimed on your 2009 taxes, which will need to be filed by April 15, 2010, using IRS Tax Form 5695 (2009 version). You will need to include a copy of our sales receipt with your tax return, and should keep the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement(s) on file with your important papers.
Don’t delay! Start earning the benefits of improved energy efficiency, and insure you receive appropriate tax credits by scheduling your energy-efficient improvement project NOW!
This document is not intended to constitute legal or tax advice. More comprehensive information will be made available by the IRS. Individuals should consult their own independent tax advisor.
15 TIPS ON SAVING ENERGY
1. Install Energy-Efficient Doors and Windows from norandex
There’s more to new windows and doors than meets the eye. The newer products are more energy-efficient—and require less maintenance. Many of today’s doors and windows are designed and insulated to reduce the transfer of cold air into the home, which can help you reduce fuel costs by up to 15%.*
2. Add Insulation behind your norandex siding
Installing contoured foam backing behind Norandex Vinyl Siding increases a home’s R-value by restricting energy loss through the walls and studs. It helps keep homes cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
3. Add insulation to other areas of the home
It’s a simple equation: add insulation to reduce energy usage and increase comfort. Supplementing the insulation in your crawl space, under floors and against basement walls is a great way to stop the transfer of heat or cold through your house.
4. Turn on the Humidifier
In the summer, humidity can affect the comfort level of your home. But if you increase the humidity in your living space in the cooler months, the additional moisture will increase the “heat index” inside your home, making 68°F feel more like 76°F. If your furnace doesn’t have a built-in humidifier, place a portable unit in frequently used areas such as the bedroom and living room. Make sure that the relative humidity in the home is between 20 to 40 percent. As the outside temperature falls, lower the percentage to prevent condensation from forming on windows.
5. Install a Programmable Thermostat
Why heat the house when nobody’s home? A programmable thermostat can automatically lower and raise your home’s air temperature when you’re at work or comfortably nestled under a comforter. By simply turning your thermostat back from 72°F down to 65°F for eight hours a day, you can save as much as 10 percent on your annual heating and cooling costs. Most likely, your energy savings will offset the costs for a programmable thermostat within the first year.*
6. Add a layer to your attic insulation
You probably didn’t know that the majority of homes built before 1980 are under-insulated. Which means heat can escape through the ceiling, past the roof and into the atmosphere. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, adding insulation to the attic is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to help cut heating and cooling costs. And it will make your home more comfortable. As a general rule, if you have less than 12 inches of attic insulation, you probably need more.
7. Let the Sun Shine In
On those cold winter days, fill your home with the warmth of the sun’s rays by raising the blinds and shades on windows on the south and west sides of your house. And if you (like half of American home owners) have single-pane windows, consider replacing them with double-pane windows with a low-e or specialty selective coating on the glass that reflects heat back into the room during the winter months.
8. Seal the Windows
If you can’t afford to replace your single-pane windows, remember to put your storm windows in for the winter. You can also block the flow of cold air into your home by installing a clear plastic film across the inside of your windows and frames. Then heat the plastic with a blow dryer until it becomes nearly invisible. The trapped pocket of air between the plastic film and the window acts as an effective insulator—which can help reduce heat loss through the window by 25 to 50 percent.*
9. Change Furnace Filters Frequently
Here’s a simple tip that can improve the energy efficiency of your heating and cooling systems by as much as 10 percent. Simply clean air registers, baseboard heaters and radiators as needed, and change forced air heating system air filters monthly. Or, use washable filters.
10. Seal the Ducts
You probably don’t need to heat your attic or unfinished basement. But chances are, you’re heating them anyway. If you have even small cracks or holes in your air ducts, warm air from the furnace can escape into the attic or basement before it ever reaches its intended destination. That means the furnace has to work overtime to keep the rest of the house warm. So check your ducts for leaks each fall, and use duct tape to repair and seal holes or sections that have separated. And if you’re buying new ducts, consider a system that’s already surrounded by insulation.
11. Plug the Drafts
The exterior of your house is your first line of defense against drafts, so it’s important to caulk, seal and weather-strip around all seams, cracks and openings. Be sure to pay special attention around windows and where siding or bricks and wood trim meet. You can also reduce drafts from the inside by caulking, sealing and weather-stripping around windows and door frames, and near electrical boxes and plumbing penetrations.
12. Close Vents to Guest Rooms
Today, many homes have more rooms than family members can occupy. By closing the vents to just one spare bedroom in your house, you’ll probably see a difference in your heating bills. But don’t put away your welcome mat—you can open the vents when guests stay over.
13. Insulate Water Heater
If you haven’t insulated your water heater you may be losing heat into the surrounding area. Which means your water heater may have to work overtime just to keep the water hot. When properly insulated, you will minimize loss of precious heat that’s intended for hot baths and steamy showers. Consult your water heater directions or a qualified water heater professional to help determine whether your water heater is properly insulated.
14. Insulate Pipes
It’s no secret that insulated hot water pipes keep water warmer longer. As a result, your heater will not have to work as hard.
15. Clean and Inspect Central Heating Equipment
It’s a good idea to have your furnace and duct work evaluated before the start of each heating season. The cleaner and more efficient they are, the more you’ll enjoy energy savings. In fact, a properly adjusted furnace can help you save up to 10% in fuel consumption.*
NOTE: Insulating a residential structure to the levels recommended by the Department of Energy should result in net energy savings, over time, above the cost of the insulation project. But if you buy too much insulation,it will cost you more than you save on fuel. Find out why in the seller’s fact sheet on R-values. Higher R-values mean greater insulating power.
*”Energy Savers” book from the Department of Energy (DOE). To view the “Energy Savers” book and more energy saving tips, visit www.energysavers.gov
