Energy Savings Tax Deductions Includes Residential Window Films

It’s tax season again for 2009! While most people think that tax season is only reserved for April, think again. This year, more people than ever deferred their taxes for the fall. Do you have all of your deductions?

Considering Cost-Savings Energy Modifications

If you haven’t considered energy saving modifications to your home, there’s still time! According to the EPA, approximately 50% of an average home's utility bills are wasted by loss of heat and unnecessary heat gain through untreated windows. By utilizing (Solar Control Window Films) also know as tinted films or window tint on your home windows, families can save up to 40% on energy bills.

Something as simple and affordable as adding solar control window film to your residential windows can block up to 99.9% of the sun’s harmful rays, protecting your interior furnishings and adding life to every item in your home.
Vista solar control window film, manufactured by CP Films, the World’s largest manufacturer of window films, located in Martinsville, Va, decreases heat that comes in from the outside, which makes it easier and more cost efficient to keep the house cool in the summer. It also has an insulating effect, keeping in heat during the winter, which drastically decreases heating expenses.

Don’t forget that those energy saving improvements to your residential home can be considered deductions. Improvements that have been made form January 1, 2009 through December 2010 can be considered for deductions. For more details on which specific solar control films qualify along with which type of window units quality, contact a “Certified” solar control specialists.

Tax Eligible measures include:

• Window films certified by the manufacturer to meet the requirements of a "qualifying insulation system."

• Added insulation to walls, ceilings, or other part of the building envelope that meets the 2009 IECC (& supplements) specifications.

• Replacement windows and skylights, and exterior doors which are equial to or below a 0.30 U factor and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of 0.30. Storm windows that meet the IECC in combination with their paired external window are eligible (taking into account the applicable climate zone). Storm doors paired with U-factor rated wood doors are eligible provided they do not exceed the default U-factor requirement for the combination. See the 2009 IECC for details.

For exterior windows and skylights purchased before June 1, 2009, the IRS and US Treasury have announced that existing manufacturer certifications and Energy Star labels will be accepted (assuming the window or skylight is installed in the label's specified region), due to unavailability of new criteria based on ARRA. For purchases dated June 1 onwards, the new, more stringent, criteria apply.

• Sealing cracks in the building shell and ducts to reduce infiltration and heat loss - these should be sealed so as to be consistent with the 2009 IECC.

• Pigmented metal roofs, or an asphalt roof with cooling granules must meet Energy Star requirements.

Homeowners should keep a copy of the manufacturer’s certifications in their file, just in case the IRS has questions.

Where can I find out more about qualifying products? Insulation:
   U.S. Department of Energy Savers
   North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA)
Windows:
   U.S. Department of Energy Savers
   American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
   EfficientWindows.org
   National Fenestration Rating Council
Window Films:
   International Window Film Association
Duct Sealing:
   Energy Star
Air Infiltration Reduction:
   Energy Star
   U.S. Department of Energy Savers
Home Energy Ratings and Related Services:
   Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET)
Information on Qualifying Roofs:
Energy Star

To find out how you can add years of energy savings to your home, contact All Pro Window Films at http://www.AllProTint.com or call 919-981-TINT(8468).