Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Rebates

The new stimulus bill, aka the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, includes a modification of the income tax credit for the energy efficient renovation of ones residence. Your energy efficient remodel can get you up to a $1500 tax credit if construction is between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010. The rebate is based on 30% of the cost to add energy efficient components to your home, for example, insulated doors, energy efficient windows, insulation, or a metal roof. The changes to the existing credit are significant in that you will need any of these components to meet the new 2009 International Energy Conservation Code, and for windows, you need to have a SHGC of .30 and a U-Factor of .30 also. In all cases you will need to show that the work done conforms to the new code, so be sure to save the energy labels for doors and windows and document any and all products used for your exterior improvements and insulation. A statement from your contractor stating that the work was done according to the 2009 IECC probably won't hurt either...