Efficiency with Style
Adding to your home’s appeal and subtracting from your energy bill
Thinking green by installing energy-efficient doors and windows is something any homeowner can feel good about, but not just because of the benefits to the environment. Saving energy also can be very good for your pocketbook. Research shows that homeowners who replace single-pane glass windows can save $125 to $340 on their annual cooling and heating costs, and there are comparable, or in some cases, even greater savings for doors.
Federal Incentives
But if that’s not enough of an inducement, the federal government wants to make the proposition even more attractive by offering tax credits when you choose energy-efficient building products for your home-improvement projects.
When you upgrade your exterior windows, there are often ways to get a portion of that money back. Check online for the latest in federal incentives being offered as they have recently changed. Exterior doors, too, may offer a deduction that can make their purchase make sense for your budget.
Your accountant can supply full details, but keep in mind that a tax credit is actually more valuable than a tax deduction. A tax deduction reduces the amount of your income that is subject to taxes. A tax credit gets deducted from the amount you actually pay.
What to Look For
Choosing energy-efficient replacement windows and doors can be a bit tricky if you don’t know the nomenclature. But fortunately, you only need to learn a few essential terms.
For starters, pay attention to U-factor ratings. These ratings are found on standardized labels and measure the amount of heat that flows through a product. The lower the U-factor number, the more energy efficient the product is.
You also should look for products that carry the Energy Star seal of approval. Energy Star is a voluntary labeling program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. Qualified products are guaranteed to exceed minimum federal standards for energy consumption or have other important energy-saving features.
Consider low-emissivity (Low-E) glass for your windows and doors. Low-E refers to a transparent metallic coating applied to one surface of insulating glass. In the summer, Low-E treated glass decreases the amount of heat that can enter your home and helps with cooling costs. In the winter, it reflects interior heat back into the home to help reduce heating bills.
Thinking green by installing energy-efficient doors and windows is something any homeowner can feel good about, but not just because of the benefits to the environment. Saving energy also can be very good for your pocketbook. Research shows that homeowners who replace single-pane glass windows can save $125 to $340 on their annual cooling and heating costs, and there are comparable, or in some cases, even greater savings for doors.
Federal Incentives
But if that’s not enough of an inducement, the federal government wants to make the proposition even more attractive by offering tax credits when you choose energy-efficient building products for your home-improvement projects.
When you upgrade your exterior windows, there are often ways to get a portion of that money back. Check online for the latest in federal incentives being offered as they have recently changed. Exterior doors, too, may offer a deduction that can make their purchase make sense for your budget.
Your accountant can supply full details, but keep in mind that a tax credit is actually more valuable than a tax deduction. A tax deduction reduces the amount of your income that is subject to taxes. A tax credit gets deducted from the amount you actually pay.
What to Look For
Choosing energy-efficient replacement windows and doors can be a bit tricky if you don’t know the nomenclature. But fortunately, you only need to learn a few essential terms.
For starters, pay attention to U-factor ratings. These ratings are found on standardized labels and measure the amount of heat that flows through a product. The lower the U-factor number, the more energy efficient the product is.
You also should look for products that carry the Energy Star seal of approval. Energy Star is a voluntary labeling program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. Qualified products are guaranteed to exceed minimum federal standards for energy consumption or have other important energy-saving features.
Consider low-emissivity (Low-E) glass for your windows and doors. Low-E refers to a transparent metallic coating applied to one surface of insulating glass. In the summer, Low-E treated glass decreases the amount of heat that can enter your home and helps with cooling costs. In the winter, it reflects interior heat back into the home to help reduce heating bills.
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