Tax Credits are Driving Sales

Credits for Existing Homes
Many other tax credits are available in other product categories than are listed below...

Definitions

• "Tax Credit" and a "Tax Deduction" - The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) offers a tax CREDIT for Energy Efficiency measures. It's important to explain the difference between a "credit" and a "deduction" to customers - the value is far greater for the credit than the deduction. A tax credit reduces the actual amount of taxes owed. For example, if you owe $1,500 in Federal Tax and you qualify for a $1,500 Energy Efficiency Tax Credit then you owe nothing in Federal Tax. A tax deduction only reduces taxable income and so the reduction in tax due is only a fraction of the deduction.
• "U-factor" - The U-value (or U-factor) describes how well a building element conducts heat. The smaller the U-value number, the better. Under standardized conditions, it measures the rate of heat transfer through a building element over a given area. The usual standard is at a temperature gradient of 75F°, at 50% humidity with no wind.
• "SHGC factor" - Solar Heat Gain Coefficient - SHGC is the amount of solar radiation that makes its way through glass and is expressed as a number between 0 and 0.87. The lower a window's SHCG, the less solar heat it transmits, and the greater its shading ability. SHGC may be expressed in terms of the glass alone or may refer to the entire window or door assembly.
• "30% of product cost, up to $1,500" - The $1,500 credit maximum is per homeowner for all improvements combined not per category group.
• "IECC" - International Energy Conservation Code. For detailed information.

Product Categories

Windows and Doors (and potentially Skylights)
To qualify, after June 1, 2009, products in this category must have a U-factor<=0.30 and an SHGC <=0.30 and the value of the credit is 30% of the cost of the materials (no installation labor), up to $1,500.
To qualify for the tax credit for improvements made prior to June 1, 2009, the products must meet Energy Star criteria.

Storm Windows and Storm Doors
In combination with the exterior window over which it is installed, the U-factor and the SHGC must be <=0.30. Same as above, the value of the credit is 30% of the cost of the materials (no installation labor), up to $1,500.Time frames for this credit are the same as for windows and doors above.

Insulation
The product must meet the 2009 IECC & Ammendments standards. Not ALL insulation products qualify and the manufacturer (and we) will supply documentation. The tax credit is the same, 30% of the cost of the material, up to $1,500.

Roofs (Metal and Asphalt)
Presently, the only product available to Bethel Mills for qualifying roofing is Everdrain. There is an asphalt roof supplier presently going into production to provide us with a qualifying product. Until we carry that product, Everdrain is the only roofing product that qualifies in this category.