Universal Roof & Contracting Alerts Homeowners to Expiring Residential Energy-Saving Tax Credits

Orlando, FL (PRWEB) October 06, 2013

Currently, owners of existing homes can receive federal tax credits and rebates in their area for various energy-saving home improvement projects. However, these incentives won’t be around forever; some are expiring at the end of this year. As a residential and commercial building contractor, Jared Mellick of Universal Roof & Contracting is always aware of energy efficiency and ways to reduce negative environmental impacts. He recommends that homeowners and their contractors should consider building choices together, and see which rebates and credits apply.

In accordance with the American Tax Payer Relief Act of 2012, owners of existing homes can receive tax credits of up to 10% of the cost of components when upgrading the efficiency of their building's envelope. Universal Roof & Contracting services and products that meet Energy Star standards and fulfill the federal tax rebate requirements include qualifying installations for Roofing, Insulation, Windows, Doors, Skylights, and Lighting Fixtures & Hardware. These products not only slash a homeowner’s energy bill, but perform better and reduce the energy/pollution impact on the environment.

TAX CREDITS EXPIRING DECEMBER 31, 2013

Building contractors can assist homeowners with the following product categories. It must be an existing home and principal residence; new construction and rentals do not qualify for the tax credit.

1. Insulation
The tax credit is 10% of cost, up to $500. Typical bulk insulation products can qualify, such as batts, rolls, blow-in fibers, rigid boards, expanding spray, and pour-in-place. A good contractor should be able to recommend the most beneficial type of insulation for a particular home. Products that air seal (reduce air leaks) can also qualify, as long as they come with a Manufacturers Certification Statement; they include weather stripping, spray foam in a can, caulk designed to air seal, and house wrap. These products are usually installed as part of other home projects. Although tax credits do NOT include installation costs, Universal Roof & Contracting recommends that a contractor does the installation, especially for products that require certified installers for honoring warranties.

2. Roofs (Metal & Asphalt)
The tax credit is 10% of cost, up to $500. A good contractor should be able to help the homeowner meet the requirements of installing a metal roof with appropriate pigmented coating or an asphalt roof with appropriate cooling granules that also meet ENERGY STAR requirements.

3. Windows & Doors
The tax credit is 10% of cost, up to $500; windows are capped at $200. The homeowner does not have to replace all the windows, doors, or skylights in the home to qualify. Replacing as well as adding windows and doors (where there wasn't one previously qualifies. The tax credit does NOT include installation costs. A good contractor should be able to guide the homeowner in selecting qualifying products.

RESIDENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY REBATE PROGRAMS

Mellick also recommends that homeowners check their local area for incentive rebates currently being offered, and take advantage of both rebates and tax credits. Residential customers may qualify for rebates on duct repair, attic insulation upgrades, heat pump replacements, energy efficient windows, wall insulation upgrades, reflective roofing installation and solar water heaters. Commercial customers may qualify for rebates on building envelope improvements, HVAC equipment (or system related) improvements, indoor lighting improvements and industrial energy improvements.

For example, masonry block, or cinder block walls have little to virtually no insulation. Universal Roof & Contracting uses a special type of foam insulation that is injected right into the cavity around the perimeter of the home and the exterior garage walls to reduce energy consumption. According to Mellick, the biggest advocates for this process are the energy companies. Another example is applying spray foam insulation on the underside of the roof deck to insulate the attic so that heat or cold is restricted from ever making it into the envelope of the home – into the attic.

Time is running out -- squeeze the most out of that home improvement dollar with these energy-saving incentives.

About Universal Roof & Contracting:

Jared Mellick and his father Ken Mellick are the owners of Central Florida’s premier construction company Universal Roof & Contracting, a family-run business which has been serving homeowners in the Greater Orlando area for more than 20 years. Together they host a local radio home improvement and construction talk show called “In the House with Ken & Jared”.

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