Home Energy-Efficiency Improvement

Beginning in 2009, you can get an income tax credit of up to a lifetime total cap of $1,500 for installing efficient new windows, insulation, doors, roofs, and heating and cooling equipment in your home. However, efficiency criteria will vary dependant on when these items are "placed in service" (installed).

Who gets it? Individuals who install specific energy-efficient home improvements.
What energy-efficient home improvements are eligible? The overall $1,500 cap can be reached in several ways with the purchase and installation of energy-efficient products that meet certain efficiency criteria.

Exterior windows: Includes skylights and storm windows.
Insulation, exterior doors, or roofs: Includes seals to limit air infiltration, such as caulk, weather stripping, and foam sealants, as well as storm doors.
Central air conditioner, heat pump, furnace, boiler, water heater, or bio gas (e.g. corn) stove: Starting in 2009, geothermal heat pumps are instead eligible for a separate tax credit.

5. Geothermal Heat Pumps, Solar Energy, Wind Energy and Fuel Cells.

There are also tax credits for geothermal heat pumps solar photovoltaic cells, solar water heaters, and fuel cells, also modified starting in 2009.
Geothermal (or ground-source) heat pumps placed in service starting in 2009 are now eligible for a tax credit for 30 percent of the cost, with no maximum. These credits are effective through December 21, 2016. In order to be eligible for the tax credit, geothermal heat pumps must meet Energy Star criteria (specified in Section 6.4 below). In 2006-2007 geothermal heat pumps were eligible for a smaller credit as part of the home improvements credit described above.
Solar hot water heating and photovoltaic power systems placed in service by December 31, 2016 are also eligible for the 30 percent credit, as are small wind systems. More information on renewable tax credits is available from the Energy Star website.
Though available, residential fuel cell systems are rare in application.Some systems may be eligible for credits, subject to certain criteria.

Things Every Homeowner Should Know (But Most Don't)

Everyone in the home repair field sees examples of homeowner neglect that cost money, increase wear and tear on expensive mechanical systems, and even threaten life and limb. It always makes us shake our heads knowing that with just a little bit of maintenance and moxie, homeowners can stretch their budgets, improve equipment performance and significantly reduce most household hazards. Here are some of the simple little things that most homeowners should know, but most don't.

• Household water pressure typically starts out at 40-60 pounds per square inch. That's enough to cause weak piping joints to burst and to create a noisy condition known as water hammer when things aren't right with the plumbing system.

• Never, ever store flammables in the vicinity of a furnace, boiler or water heater, especially one with a standing pilot light. This is easy to overlook, because basements and utility rooms are by definition storage areas. Also, some substances prone to combustion aren't obvious fire hazards‹such as swimming pool chemicals or many household cleaners. To be on the safe side, if it's a substance you wouldn't ingest, keep it away from combustion appliances.

• Furnace filters ideally ought to be changed four times a year, and certainly at least twice a year. Yet, heating technicians routinely encounter furnaces where the filters haven't been changed in years.

• Just one working smoke alarm can reduce your chances of dying in a home fire by almost 50%. Yet, a quarter to one-third of smoke alarms don't work due to dead or missing batteries. Tip: get in the habit of changing all alarm batteries once a year on your birthday or some other memorable date you won't forget.

• Studies have shown that duct leaks account for as much as one-third of residential heating and cooling consumption. Yet, almost nobody bothers to check for leaks, not even most heating technicians.

• It takes only 1/2 second to scald someone in 150°F water, 1 second in 140°F water, and 4 minutes in 120°F water, according to the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association. Modern water heaters are factory-set at 120°F, but many older models deliver much higher temperature water.

• The most common household injuries occur from falls, which are blamed for more than 8,000 U.S. deaths a year. Bathtub and shower stall slips account for more than 160,000 documented injuries each year, and many more that go unreported. Nonslip bath mats and grab bars are important safety measures for any house.

• One of the simplest ways of extending the life of your water heater is periodic replacement of sacrificial anode rods. These are made of magnesium or aluminum and are intended to corrode, so that the water heater tank doesn't. The anode rod starts out about 3/4-inch in diameter, but within three years is typically reduced to 1/4 inch or less. Next time you have a plumbing or heating service technician to your home, ask them to check out your water heater anode rods.

• More and more homes have carbon monoxide detectors, which is good. Many of them have them installed in the vicinity of CO-emitting appliances, which is bad. You want them installed near bedrooms. The biggest risk from CO occurs when people are sleeping.

• Ground-fault circuit interrupters are simple, inexpensive devices that can be obtained at any hardware store. They ought to be installed in bathroom outlets and any other outlets near water.

• Corrosive drain cleaners, such as those sold on supermarket shelves, frequently cause injury to plumbers or homeowners when they open up pipes or sink traps to do repairs. Non-corrosive drain cleaners are much better choices. One of the best, Bio-Clean, is sold exclusively through plumbing contractors.

• Soldering is not the most difficult task in the world, but it is not quite as easy as it looks. Professional plumbers routinely end up repairing leaks caused by do-it-yourself solderers. A common problem is using too much or too little flux.

• Any water heater without a working temperature and pressure relief valve is a time bomb waiting to explode. Plumbing and heating technicians encounter too many of these bombs.

• An automatic setback thermostat is one of the best investments any homeowner can make. These devices can be programmed to modulate your household temperature for maximum comfort when occupants are present, but conserve energy when everyone is away at school and/or work.

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Energy Savings

With the average household spending $1,900 a year on energy costs, efforts are always being made to reduce this impact on our wallets. With a majority of this cost going towards heating and cooling the home during the peak winter and summer months, the Energy Star program has come up with four simple recommendations that will help you HEAT your home and save up to 20% on a typical energy bill. Home Sealing - Seal all air leaks and check to see if you need to add insulation. Pay particular attention to the attic and basement as these are where the biggest gaps and cracks are often found. Check for drafts around windows and doorways by holding an incense stick around potential leaks. If you see the smoke flow horizontally, there is a leak in that area. Equipment Maintenance - Just as you would get a check-up for your health each year, make sure that you get a check-up for your heating system. Have a professional come out to clean any dirt or build-up from your heating system as well as check for routine maintenance that can help it run more efficiently. Something you can do is replace the furnace filter as it will help save energy while improving air quality. Ask For Energy Star products. After testing in individual categories, these products have proven to be more energy efficient. Thermostat. Programmable thermostats help you save energy by adjusting the climate while you are away. Using a programmable thermostat with the appropriate settings can save up to $150 a year in energy costs.

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