Our old house has needed these improvements for some time and this year we can finally afford it. First on our list is to replace the old wood storms and screens with aluminum combinations. They leak heat and cold like sieves and we're both getting too old to wrestle those monsters up and down ladders and stairs.
The 30 percent tax credit was a nice added incentive which would enable us to do more with our budget. I priced out the windows but no one in the building centers could tell me if they qualified for the tax credit. Apparently, EnergyStar isn't enough anymore.
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the "Stimulus Bill" (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) that made significant changes to the energy efficiency tax credits. These changes apply to products "placed in service" in 2009. The highlights are:
* The tax credits that were previously effective for 2009, have been extended to 2010 as well.
* The tax credit has been raised from 10% to 30%.
* The tax credits that were for a specific dollar amount (ex $300 for a CAC), have been converted to 30% of the cost.
* The maximum credit has been raised from $500 to $1,500 total for the two year period (2009-2010). However, some improvements such as geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, and solar panels are not subject to the $1,500 maximum.
* The $200 cap on windows has been removed, but the requirements for windows has been increased significantly. Not all ENERGY STAR qualified windows will qualify.
We're looking at the Larson Gold Series, by the way. It's the hometown company and we think a good product.
According to energystar.gov, windows must have a U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient of less than or equal to 0.30. On the face of it, the windows we want to install meet the requirement.
But, wait, there's more. Further requirements include:
Meets IECC in combination with the exterior window over which it is installed, for the applicable climate zone
and
Manufacturer Certification Statement will list classes of exterior window (single pane, clear glass, double pane, low-E coating, etc.) that a product may be combined with to be eligible in specific climate zones.
In frustration, I emailed Larson's and received this response.
Hello,
Thank you for emailing. Storm Windows certainly do help improve the energy efficiency of the opening and save on your energy bills.
Due to the complex requirements for Certifying a Storm Window to meet the IRS codes, we are currently unable to offer a Certification Statement.
Storm Windows require the Prime Window, your actual location, and the storm window to all be factored together.
We are working with others in the Industry and Government to revise the current standards to make it possible to provide a Manufacturer's Certification Statement.
Thank You
kw
I'm thrilled that the Obama administration has instituted the tax incentive. It's long overdue. But isn't it counter-productive to make it so difficult. If manufacturers can't unequivocably state that their product qualifies they won't sell as many. If homeowners depend on the tax credit to make the investment and can't find the product that qualifies ...
We'll probably install some combination windows though most likely not as many as we would if we could be assured of the tax credit.