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.

You are here: Home

Insulation

Services

Home Performance ENERGY STAR

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR, a national program from the U.S. EPA and U.S. DOE, offers a comprehensive, whole-house approach to improving energy efficiency and comfort at home, while helping to protect the environment.

This approach leads to better results because you’re not just applying bandages to items but looking at the whole and how various parts interact. We are involved with the NYSERDA sponsored HPwES program and the Pennsylvania program which has just begun under the direction of PA Home Energy and the WPSEF.

Quality Assurance

To participate in these programs we must maintain high standards for quality by attending specialized training for contractors and conducting quality assurance inspections to verify that Home Performance with ENERGY STAR projects get done right.

Having work performed through these programs can help you cost-effectively improve your home’s energy efficiency. We evaluate your home using state-of-the-art equipment and recommend comprehensive improvements that will yield the best results. We can also help you take advantage of Federal tax credits for energy efficiency improvements.

Learn about how participating contractors have helped families in these success stories:

Breathing Easy Again in Fresno (861KB)

Warm and Cozy in New York State (525KB)

Dealing with Dust in Georgia (610KB)

Fixing Leaky Ducts in Austin (659KB)

Energy Overhaul in Ithaca (810KB)

Clark Howard Does His Homework (178KB)

Diagnosing the Problem

Rather than focusing on a single component, such as single-paned windows, an old air conditioning system, or leaky ductwork, a participating contractor will assess how improvements to all of these components can work together to provide:

fewer drafts
consistent temperatures across rooms,
better ventilation and humidity control, and
lower utility bills

Common Recommendations

Sealing Air Leaks and Adding Insulation

Many air leaks in homes are fairly obvious, such as around windows, doors, and electrical outlets. But others, like those in attics, around chimneys, and through recessed lighting fixtures, are often the more significant sources of energy loss in a home. Sealing air leaks is critical to improving the overall efficiency of your home and will make your heating and cooling system perform better. Along with air sealing, your contractor may recommend that you add insulation. Many older homes are not well-insulated, and some have no insulation at all. Properly installed insulation in walls, floors, and attics provides for more even temperatures throughout the house and results in a quieter, more comfortable living environment that is easier to heat and cool.

Sealing Ductwork

Many homes have leaky ductwork and poor air flow, resulting in stuffy and uncomfortable rooms — regardless of the thermostat setting. The home performance contractor may recommend sealing your home’s ducts with mastic, metal tape or spray-on sealant, and balancing the duct system to optimize air flow to all rooms. Insulating ductwork in attics, crawlspaces, and some basements can also help to ensure that your home will be more comfortable.

Improving Heating and Cooling Systems

If your furnace or air conditioner is more than 10 years old, your contractor may recommend that you replace it with a unit that has earned the ENERGY STAR label. Installed correctly, these high-efficiency units can save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs. But when it comes to heating and cooling equipment, bigger is not always better. A properly-sized unit will make your home more comfortable by providing more consistent temperatures and better humidity control. The contractor should also test combustion equipment, such as your furnace and hot water heater, to ensure that it is operating and venting properly.

Upgrading Lighting and Appliances

Energy used for lighting and appliances can account for half of your home's total utility bill. As a result, the home performance contractor may recommend ENERGY STAR qualified products, such as refrigerators, dishwashers, electronic equipment, light fixtures, and compact fluorescent bulbs. An energy- and water-efficient hot water heating system may also be recommended. Once you’ve taken steps to increase your home's efficiency, you may also want to consider adding renewable energy systems, such as solar electric (photovoltaics) or solar hot water, to further reduce your utility bills.

NY HPwES

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) New York ENERGY STAR Labeled Homes and Home Performance with ENERGY STAR programs help homeowners by providing means to affordable energy efficiency improvements to help them make their homes more energy efficient and comfortable. There are less than 150 accredited contractors in the program statewide so when you're partnering with Bauer Specialty you're getting the best.

You might be interested to know how the program is funded. On participating electric utilities’ bills you’ll find a line for SBC. This is the System Benefits Charge.

How the Process Works

It begins when you contact our in house staff and set an appointment to meet with our representatives.

At the appointment the rep will review your home with you and conduct an energy analysis to help you understand how your home is performing. You'll also discuss the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (HPwES) criteria and clarify any points regarding funding options or incentives available.

As you discuss things he'll formulate some options if improvements are needed. Once you review things and sign on you'll get into our schedule for the required health and safety inspection. This is to ensure that your home is performing safely.

Once your work scope and any financing reviews are completed by the HPwES oversight groups we'll move on to installation. You'll get a call in advance to set the date.

Once we complete the package you'll have a final health and safety test-out to ensure things are in proper order.

To learn more about the program contact us at 716-695-1010 or visit the following links:

Program Eligibility

http://www.getenergysmart.org/SingleFamilyHomes/ExistingBuilding/HomeOwner/Eligibility.aspx

Assisted Home Performance Eligibility 50% Subsidy up to $5,000.

http://www.getenergysmart.org/SingleFamilyHomes/ExistingBuilding/HomeOwner/LowIncomeEligible.aspx

Financing Or 10% Discount Options http://www.getenergysmart.org/SingleFamilyHomes/ExistingBuilding/HomeOwner/Financing.aspx

We Are an Accredited Contractor

In order to perform work for the program NYSERDA created a network of contractors accredited by the Building Performance Institute. BPI is a national resource for building science technology that sets standards for assessing and improving the energy performance of homes. Each participating contractor has been trained to use the most advanced, state-of-the-art equipment to test your home and identify energy efficiency improvements.

< Prev