Energy Tax Credits Drive Remodeling

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the economic stimulus bill for short, enacted in February made significant changes to the energy efficiency tax credits, providing an incentive for homeowners who want to save energy and an additional sales opportunity for remodelers.

Home energy audits are an increasingly popular way that some remodelers are using to capitalize on the tax credits. They can demonstrate energy and tax savings achieved by measure such as reducing air leakage by installing insulation, replacing inefficient windows and even upgrading HVAC systems.

“In general, tax credits for energy-efficient home improvements such as windows, doors, skylights, insulation, roofing and HVAC have been increased.

Highlights of the new tax credits, according to the Energy Star Web site include:

• Tax credits that were previously effective for 2009, have been extended to 2010.
  
• The tax credit has been raised from 10 percent to 30 percent.
  
• The tax credits that were for a specific dollar amount have been converted to 30 percent of the cost.
  
• The maximum credit has been raised from $500 to $1,500 total for all improvements combined for the two-year period (2009-2010). However, some improvements such as geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters and solar panels are not subject to the $1,500 maximum.
  
• The $200 cap on windows has been removed, but the requirements for windows (after June 1, 2009) has been increased significantly. Not all Energy Star qualified windows will qualify after June 1, 2009.

However, according to the Energy Star Web site, all Energy Star qualified windows purchased between January 1 and May 31, 2009 are eligible for the tax credit of 30 percent of the cost, up to $1,500.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued a news release in April corroborating that position, confirmed the previous tax credit standards would apply until June 1 under a “Safe Harbor” provision. “Homeowners may continue to rely on manufacturers’ certifications that were provided under the old guidance and on Energy Star labels for exterior windows and skylights in determining whether property purchased before June 1, 2009, qualifies for the credit,” the IRS said. The news release, however, does not constitute a “revised guidance document,” which was to be released at a later date, according to the IRS.

Beginning June 1, 2009, to qualify for the tax credit, windows (and doors and skylights) must have a U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) less than or equal to 0.30. This is a super-efficient window, and most Energy Star windows will not qualify, according to Energy Star’s own Web site.

Earlier statements had indicated that February 17, 2009, the date the bill was signed into law, was the effective date for the “30/30” criteria.

Homeowners who prior to June 1 purchased Energy Star-rated window or door products that did not meet the “30/30” standards are advised to keep the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) label as well as the sales receipt. Further, they are advised to consult a tax professional and follow IRS guidelines to claim the tax credit.

The new standards are both controversial and sure to cause confusion. The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), involved in performance standards and certification in the fenestration industry, has urged Congress to reconcile the stimulus bill standards with Energy Star criteria. AAMA says the Energy Star standards were established over the years between the Department of Energy and industry representatives and were accepted as the “definitive requirement within the previous tax credit.”

The stimulus bill sets an “arbitrary standard” that “eliminates the majority of proven energy-efficient window, door and skylight products available today,” the association states.

In addition to windows, doors and skylights, under the Existing Home Retrofit Tax Credit (Tax Code Section 25C), tax credits are available at 30 percent of the cost, up to $1,500 total, for insulation, roofs (metal and asphalt),