Did you install energy-saving windows or doors on your principal residence during 2010?
If you nodded “yes” to this question, remember to submit your claim for the Federal Tax Credit for Consumer Energy Efficiency at tax time. You could be eligible to receive a tax credit for 30% of the cost of the renovation up to $1500. This tax credit program ends December 31, 2010, and the savings are just too good ignore. As the Department of Energy points out, a tax credit is generally more valuable than an equivalent tax deduction: a tax credit reduces your taxes dollar-for-dollar, while a deduction only removes a percentage of the tax you owe.
So take a moment now to make sure that you have all the backup papers required for the Tax Credit.
Four Essential Documents
You will need all four of these documents to verify your claim:
- A copy of your Window/Door Contract
- Your Sales Receipt
- The Manufacturers Certification Form
- A copy of the NFRC Label(s)
It’s obvious why you would need the contract and the receipt, but the other two are just as important. The Manufacturer’s Certification Form certifies that the product purchased qualifies for the federal program. You would have received this at the time of purchase, but if you cannot find it, you can obtain one from the manufacturer’s website.
As for the NFRC label, that’s the large label that was on your windows at the time of purchase. You would have been instructed to save it. These performance labels from the National Fenestration Rating Council provide important information too: they list the manufacturer, describe the product, provide a source for additional information and include ratings for one or more energy performance characteristics.
Two Eligibility Requirements
How do you know if a window or door meets the eligibility requirements? That NFRC label will tell you what you need to know, as will the Manufacturer’s Certification. Just don’t make the mistake of assuming that all ENERGY STAR products qualify for a tax credit. Your manufacturer’s statement will certify eligibility. So read both the label and the statement carefully.
For the record, however, your new windows and doors must have a U-Factor of.30 or less. U-Factor gauges the overall energy-efficiency of a window. The lower the number, the better. Some windows have U-Factors of.31 or.32. Those don’t qualify. It has to be exactly.30 or lower.
Windows and doors must also have a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of.30 or less. SHGC measures how much heat a window lets in your house, and you want a low number.
Now You’re Ready for 2011
Now that you’ve located those four essential documents, keep them together in a safe place so that you will be ready to prove your eligibility for the federal tax credit in 2011.
And one last note: windows and doors aren’t the only eligible items. Energy-efficient products and systems such as biomass stoves, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, insulation, roofs (asphalt and metal) as well as water heaters are all eligible under this federal tax credit program.
Gerry Rogers is the founder and president of Mr Rogers Windows. He has been selling and installing home improvement products for over 20 years. After introducing his Lifetime Performance Guarantee, Gerry has earned the trust of thousands of clients by “doing the right thing” to ensure complete satisfaction when it comes to quality products and installation.
You’ll find windows, doors, and patio doors in all styles that meet federal energy efficiency requirements at Mr. Rogers Windows.
Author: Gerry Rogers
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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