Replacement Windows Save Money Qualify For Federal Energy Tax Credit Program by Expert Robert Green

www.alltexexteriors.com

Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency up to 30% of the cost!

Saving money is a hot button issue in today´s economy. If you own an existing home, there are tax credits available for several home improvements, including replacement windows. A tax credit rebate for up to 30% of the cost, up to $1500, is like getting two and a half windows free! If you change all the windows in your home, it´s estimated you will save up to 30% on your power bill. To qualify, you must select Energy Star rated windows, which are constructed with advanced technology to earn this ranking.

What makes window "energy-efficient"?

Framing materials, gas fills between panes, special coatings, and multiple panes are all elements of a well-constructed, energy-efficient window that may carry the Star rating. Energy Star is a joint program of the U. S Environmental Protection Agency and the U. S Department of Energy. There are strict guidelines a product must meet in order to become a certified product. If you want the tax rebate, changing your windows isn´t enough. You must replace them with qualifying products. Look for a vendor that is a member of the Efficient Windows Collaborative, an industry organization committed to driving energy efficiency programs and other efforts to reduce greenhouse gases.

There are two critical factors to take into consideration when choosing windows for your home: The SHGC (Solar Heat Gain Coefficient) and the U-Factor. The one that is most apply to your home will depend on its location in either a predominately cold or hot climate.

SHGC- Solar Heat Gain Coefficient

If you live a hot climate, your windows are going to get hot too. Unmanaged solar energy can make your house hot and your AC bill soar. When ranking windows, the NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) assigns a rating to each design, based on how much solar heat is conducted through a window. Consumers in warm areas with long summers want to find products with a low SHGC rating, .3 or less, to best block the heat from coming through the window. Blocking the outside radiant heat saves expense from overworked AC-systems.

U-Factor

If you live up north, where the winters are long, the opposite is true from what you want out of your windows. Rather than keeping heat out, you want to keep it in! This is measured and ranked by something called the U-Factor, which indicates the amount of heat transfer through the product. The goal in cold climates is to have very little heat loss radiated through the glass and out of the room.

New windows have more than just financial and energy benefits.

Replacing the windows on your home can improve security, lower street noise, and increase the beauty of your home. The windows built today are 50% better at controlling ultra violet light than the clear glass of yesterday. They also seal better, reducing the amount of pollens and other pollutants that can enter your home. Customers find they have a 90% return on their investment, making it one of the most worthwhile home improvement options available. For more information on where to get windows that qualify for the tax credit rebate, installation, and selection, visit www.allltexexteriors.com or call 866-921-5715.