If you’re thinking of replacing your current household windows with ones that are more energy efficient, then you’re not alone. These days, energy-efficient windows seem to be all the rage, and there’s a good reason why. Thanks to the 2009 to 2010 energy tax credit, homeowners who choose to purchase and install eligible energy-efficient windows can receive a generous credit on their tax returns courtesy of the U.S. government. Joe Yosso is the proud owner of Northwest Energy Savers, a window company that has been serving Northern Oregon and Southwest Washington for the past three years, and he thinks that anyone who is seriously considering replacing his windows should try to do so before the end of the year in order to reap this limited-time benefit.
The 2009 to 2010 energy tax credit was put into effect in order to encourage people to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. While different types of products qualify for the credit, many people who are taking advantage of it are doing so by replacing their windows. Of course, since the government doesn’t have a tendency to give money away for free, certain requirements need to be met in order for your new windows to qualify for the tax credit. For starters, your windows will need to conform to energy efficiency standards by having a U-factor equal to or below 0.30 and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient of 0.30 or below in order to be eligible. Additionally, for your windows to qualify, they must be installed in your primary place of residence; rental units and new construction properties do count for tax credit purposes.
So how much of a tax credit are we talking here? Provided that the windows are eligible, you can expect to receive a credit equal to 30% of the cost of the products, up to $1,500 in total. All you have to do is make certain to buy qualifying windows and have them installed prior to the end of 2010. Of course, keep in mind that not all energy-efficient windows are actually eligible for the credit. You’ll need to pay close attention to the manufacturer information in order to ensure that your purchases end up qualifying; don’t just look for an Energy Star sticker, as that won’t necessarily be indicative of tax credit eligibility. Additionally, keep in mind that while the government will give you some money back on the cost of your windows, the tax credit doesn’t apply to the cost of labor or installation. Finally, as terrific as this government program might seem, keep in mind that since it is a tax credit, you’re not going to see any money back in the form of an immediate rebate check; rather, you’ll simply be able to claim your credit when you file your 2010 taxes at the start of 2011.
If the idea of getting a tax credit for installing energy-efficient windows sounds good to you, then you might as well get moving on the process sooner rather than later. Remember, window contractors tend to get booked up around the summertime, and you won’t want to miss out on the chance to get some free money from the government. Besides, the sooner you have your new energy-efficient windows installed, the sooner you’ll be able to start enjoying the benefits of having lower utility bills and a more comfortable home.
