Energy Tax Credit Back For 2009

The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) has confirmed that Congress approved and President Bush has signed legislation renewing home improvement tax credits for consumers.

The credits are obtainable only for home improvements completed January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009. The original credits expired December 31st, 2007, and no credits are available for home improvements made during 2008.

The home improvement credit program will work the same way it did in 2007. Consumers can receive $200 credit for all qualifying products (including windows and doors) installed during any one taxable year. There is a $500 lifetime credit limit. All credits must be requested before the end of 2009.

An exterior window or door (other than a storm window or storm door) is considered an “Eligible Building Envelope Component” when it meets or exceeds the prescriptive criteria established by the IECC for the climate zone in which the window or door is installed.

A taxpayer may treat an exterior window that bears an ENERGY STAR^® label and is installed in the region identified on the label as an Eligible Building Envelope Component and may rely on such ENERGY STAR^® label, rather than on a manufacturer’s certification statement, in claiming the § 25C credit.

The credit amount established by § 25C of the Internal Revenue Code is:
• 10% of the amount paid or incurred by the taxpayer for qualified energy efficiency improvements installed during the taxable year.
• Up to $200.00 maximum credit for windows for all taxable years (maximum $500.00 credit for all improvements combined).
• Allowed only for amounts paid or incurred to purchase the window or door.
• Not allowed for amounts paid for onsite preparation, assembly, original installation labor, other components or sales tax.
• The purchase must be made during the taxable year for which the credit is claimed.
• Retroactive and with time limits, covering product in service after December 31, 2005 and before January 1, 2008.

The Energy Tax Credit information contained on the Preservation site is not complete or comprehensive. For the entire scope of information about the Credit for Non-Business Energy Property § 25C, please see:

Energy Tax Credit Information

Claiming Your Tax Credit

After establishing your eligibility to claim a Tax Credit for Non-Business Energy Property § 25C, please complete the following to ensure accuracy:

1. Request an invoice demonstrating the cost breakout of the window or door components from your contractor. This cost must exclude the cost of onsite preparation, assembly, original installation labor, other components or sales tax.
2. Download the applicable official Manufacturer's Certificate PDF following the links below (Adobe Acrobat Reader required).
3. Retain the contractor invoice and our official Manufacturer's Certificate for your IRS records. You are not required to provide this documentation to the IRS, but you will be required to present it if audited.

Replacement Window Information For Building Professionals

The purpose of this blog will be to provide updated technical information about windows and glass technology on a timely basis. Many times new technology is released and building professionals don't hear about it in time to make better decisions.

Right now the replacement window industry is having a huge jump in energy efficiency and manufacturing technology. On the flip side, manufacturers that can't retool in order to compete are failing. Recently Kensington, a well known manufacturer, closed their doors. Unfortunately, we expect more window manufacturers and a large number of exterior remodeling companies to close their doors over the coming winter.

It's important that there is an industry source that can be counted on to distribute that kind of information. We hope to fill that role for many.

If you have any research requests or questions please feel free to email me. I look forward to helping.

Woodbury Replacement Windows

The climate in Woodbury, Minnesota requires the most energy efficient replacement windows that are available. That replacement window is no longer up for debate. There is one window on the replacement window market that is head and shoulders above the rest. That window is made by Preservation Windows.

The Preservation Replacement Window Dealer of Distinction for Woodbury is Northland Home Exteriors of Oakdale and Forest Lake, MN. Northland's owners have been in the business for over twenty years and have long been recognized as one of the top replacement window installers in the entire state of Minnesota. Northland also serves the rest of the TwinCities area for the full Preservation Collection, which includes their full siding line.

Preservation replacement windows are head and shoulders above the rest in many ways. The most important way is energy efficiency. The National Fenestration Rating Council independently tests replacement windows in five categories. The most important for the Minnesota climate is U-factor, the measure of heat loss. You'll find Preservation Windows at the top of their ranking for U-factor.

Another bit of independent evidence you can look at is the proposed Energy Star Window Standard for 2015. Preservation replacement windows already meet the standard for six years from now! The "Big Three" window manufacturers, including Andersen, Renewal by Andersen, Marvin, and Pella barely meet the 2009 standard and don't meet the proposed 2012 Energy Star Standard at all.

Preservation Windows are the replacement window of choice when taking advantage of the Washington County Owner-Occupied Home Imporvement Loan Program.