New qualifications for U.S. window, door tax credits
Printed from: http://pressroom.pella.com//fast_facts/135/
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) signed into law Feb. 17, 2009 includes tax credits for qualifying energy-saving home improvements. Immediately replacing the previous Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 tax credit for ENERGY STAR® windows and doors, the new stimulus bill significantly raises performance requirements for windows and doors qualifying for credits.
- Eligible window and door products now have to be equal to or below a 0.30 U-Factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of 0.30 for all U.S. climate zones.
- The U-Factor measures heat transmission through a window or door — a lower U-Factor equals better insulation.
- SHGC measures how well a window or door blocks heat from sunlight. The lower the value the better the unit keeps out solar heat.
- Between Jan. 1, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2010, U.S. homeowners may claim a tax credit up to 30 percent of the cost of qualifying replacement windows and doors installed in their principal residence, not exceeding $1,500.
- The tax credit applies to the price of qualifying windows and doors, but does not cover installation, on-site preparation, assembly or sales tax.
For a complete list of qualifying Pella products visit:
http://web.pella.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/2009_10FederalTaxCreditQP.pdf
Energy-efficient windows add to comfort, savings
Windows and doors can add to the appeal, comfort and potential value of a home or business — when properly selected and installed to help seal out air and moisture. To help save energy, look for these important features in new or replacement windows, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy:
Multiple layers of glazing — Double glazing insulates almost twice as well as single glazing. Adding a third layer of glazing results in further improvement.
Low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings — The invention and commercial development of low-emissivity (low-E) coatings in the 1980s revolutionized window technology. Thin, transparent metallic coatings on the inside surfaces of insulated glass permit visible light to pass through, but they reflect some energy wavelengths. In the summer this keeps heat outside the home; in the winter it helps retain heat in the home. Low-E or coatings greatly reduce heat transfer through glass and also help minimize fading of furniture and carpets that can be caused by ultraviolet rays
Inert gas fill — By substituting a denser gas like Argon for the air in a sealed insulated glass window, heat loss can be reduced significantly. When a window is injected with Argon ― a natural, colorless, non-toxic gas ― and paired with Low-E glass, its insulating qualities increase energy performance. Most quality window manufacturers offer argon-gas fill as an option. Pella offers Low-E with argon-insulated glass for greatest energy efficiency.
Energy-efficient doors
- As with windows, follow these basics for best-functioning doors:
- Weatherstrip around the perimeter of a door to ensure a tight seal when closed.
- Install quality door sweeps on the bottom of the doors if they aren't already in place.
- Remove old or peeling caulk around door frames and replace the caulk.
Don’t overlook patio doors. Treat them just as you would windows when evaluating your home’s energy performance. Type of glass, coatings and panes of glass all contribute to a patio door’s optimal performance.
*Please be sure to consult your tax professional to determine if the windows you purchase are eligible for the U.S. tax credit.
Resources:
To view home improvement highlights of the new stimulus bill and key changes from the 2008 Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, visit the ENERGY STAR® Web site: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits#c1 or call 800-342-5363.
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