Efficient Door Tax Credit for Existing & New Homes
Photo credit: sunshinecity
Take advantage of the tax credit available for purchasing a qualified energy-efficient exterior door or window by December 31, 2010. In short, the door must meet a U Factor and SHGC rating of 0.30. Congress raised the per-item credit to 30 percent of the cost up to $1,500. They also extended the deadline for making the improvements through the end of 2010. If you have already purchased a qualified efficient door or window you are not left out. The act is retroactive to Jan. 1, so if you installed a product meeting the previous criteria it qualifies for the larger credit.
Seventy percent of the GHG emissions related to single-family envelope energy consumption can be attributed to homes built before California had an energy code (1983). The statewide carbon impact of retrofitting these homes with upgraded energy features was explored. Spending $10,000 retrofitting a 1960s home could save 8.5 tons of carbon at a cost of between $588-$1,176 per ton (…) Increasing the energy efficiency of a new home by 35% would cost about $5,000 and would reduce emissions by 1.1 tons at a cost of $4,545 per ton. Retrofitting existing homes with energy-efficient features is four- to eight times more carbon- and cost-efficient than adding even more energy efficiency requirements to new housing.
Not all ENERGY STAR rated doors qualify, contact BMC West for assistance. Visit energystar.gov for credits in solar-energy panels, water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, small wind-energy systems and fuel cells as well.
