Bauer Specialty Insulation & Gutters

New Stimulus Bill Offers Great Incentive to Insulate Now

TAX CREDITS FOR ENERGY SAVINGS!

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed a stimulus bill (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) that made some significant changes to the energy efficiency tax credits.

Click here to view the details of the energy efficient tax credits for homeowners. Tax Credit Summary

The new American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 includes great benefits for homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their primary residence. The expanded tax credits are a huge incentive because tax credits lower your tax liability directly. For example if your federal tax bill totaled $3,000 a tax credit will reduce that amount directly. Deductions only save you the percentage of the tax bracket you're in.

Just as a solid foundation is vital to building a house that will last insulation and air sealing are critical in creating an energy efficient building. Quality HVAC technicians consider the shell of the home in order to properly size heating and cooling equipment. Those who don't often oversize and cause other problems in which mechanicals short cycle resulting in energy loss, lack of proper dehumidification and ineeficent operation. This wastes energy and can shorten the life expectancy of the unit.

A properly insulated home with a tight envelope will retain the energy you spend to create a comfortable environment. This coupled with conservation techniques and proper equipment will set you on the path for true energy savings.

Here's a recap of the main energy tax credits applicable to homeowners from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)

"Economic Stimulus Act Extends Renewable Energy Tax Credits

The tax section of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides a three-year extension of the production tax credit (PTC) for most renewable energy facilities, while offering expansions on and alternatives for tax credits on renewable energy systems. The extension keeps the wind energy PTC in effect through 2012, while keeping the PTC alive for municipal solid waste, qualified hydropower, and biomass and geothermal energy facilities through 2013. In addition, a two-year extension of the PTC for marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy systems will keep that tax credit in effect through 2013. The PTC provides a credit for every kilowatt-hour produced at new qualified facilities during the first 10 years of operation, provided the facilities are placed in service before the tax credit's expiration date. For 2008, biomass facilities fueled with dedicated energy crops ("closed-loop biomass"), as well as wind, solar, and geothermal energy facilities earned 2.1 cents per kilowatt-hour, while other qualified facilities earned 1 cent per kilowatt-hour."

See pages 33-34 of theAmerican Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 (PDF 5.9 MB) of the actual bill.

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Insulation

Common Insulation Questions

Why More Insulation?

Why do I need new/More Insulation?

If you have a drafty home, rooms that are too hot or cold, or high energy bills - all are common clues you need improved insulation and air sealing.

A patchy roof indicates problems exist

Insulation is one of the few home improvements that actually pays you back. Like other improvements it gives you an immediate return – increased comfort so you can enjoy your home year round. But insulation also pays you a second way. There’s a real return on your investment due to the energy dollars it saves you from the moment the job is complete. A home that’s properly insulated and air sealed will require less energy to heat and cool. Saving you money each time the cost of energy goes up.

Think about the price of utilities over the years. Which way do they trend? Upward. So money you invest today in making your home energy efficient will yield greater and greater returns as costs rise. We all cringe when we hear rates are going up. But knowing your home is properly insulated will give you the satisfaction that your pay back period is shrinking.

If you wait to properly insulate your home you’re sacrificing your family’s comfort level.

Are you wondering what we mean by properly insulating and air sealing your home? Most people (and insulation contractors) understand that the higher the R-value of an insulation the greater its Resistance to the transfer of heat. But many do not understand that effective R-value is the real indicator of how good a material is at insulating properly. Air sealing is the other factor in the effectiveness equation. By sealing your home from uncontrolled air infiltration you take charge of your home’s air quality and temperature. Your home’s system doesn’t have to react so much to the wind outside.

Our point is that there are a lot of insulation contractors out there. It's tough to know who can really do the job right. When it comes to insulation there is a whole lot more than just filling walls with something that has an R-value. Your home is a system and when you make a change it affects the whole.

Our experts can explain to you the various parts of your home’s system and how you can best utilize your resources to effect your comfort and budget. Please contact our office for a free estimate and analysis of your home or building. .

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