In an article on The Buffalo News website, Angie Hicks discusses how householders can further improve their homes to be more efficient in energy usage. Switching to energy efficient products can reduce the amount of power a household uses drastically in the long run. The article lists a number of home products that the government is willing to subsidize partially so that homeowners can improve energy usage:
To qualify for the tax credits – which reimburse homeowners 10 percent of the cost of an Energy Star-qualifying home-improvement project, up to $500 – the improvement must have been made in 2012 or 2013. Here’s a list of products and appliances that may qualify for a tax credit, but keep in mind that the total credit can’t exceed $500:
• Insulation or insulating material, 10 percent of cost.
• Exterior window or skylight, 10 percent of cost, up to $200.
• Exterior door, 10 percent of cost.
• Metal roof with pigmented coating, or asphalt roof with cooling granules, 10 percent of the cost.
• Advanced main air-circulating fan, $50.
• Natural gas, propane, or oil furnace or hot water boiler, $150.
• Electric heat pump water heater, $300.
• Electric heat pump, $300.
• Central air conditioner, $300.
• Natural gas, propane, or oil water heater, $300.
• Biomass stove, $300.
Metal and asphalt roofing, accordingly, can improve energy efficiency in the home. Due to their excellent insulation properties, metal and asphalt roofs can prevent excessive amounts of heat or cold from entering the home, as well as in keeping indoor temperature from draining out.
While metal is the more durable of the two, asphalt roofing is generally more affordable. Metal is also highly resistant to fire and asphalt is immune to the expansion and contraction caused by temperature changes. Quality metal and asphalt roofing in Delaware can be installed by skilled contractors like Homecraft® Inc.
Since the federal government is offering a tax credit on home improvements centered on energy efficiency, householders should take the opportunity to install quality roofing in PA, whether it’s asphalt or metal. Look up the list of appliances and products approved by the government for 2013 deductions.
From The Buffalo News, Get tax credit for adding energy efficiency, October 20, 2013
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