‘Going Green’ Brings Tax Credits For Energy-Saving Renovations

WALLINGFORD — Connecticut Better Business Bureau is offering advice to homeowners about how to take advantage of new federal tax credits, while making their dwellings more energy-efficient and helping protect the environment.

Homeowners making certain renovations can benefit from new tax credits under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2008-2009 Cost vs Value report, energy-efficient replacement projects are some of the most valuable improvements for recouping money at resale.

Connecticut Better Business Bureau President Paulette Scarpetti says some of these include routine home maintenance.

“Homeowners can benefit from projects such as roof replacement, upgrading insulation, and changes to heating and cooling systems,” she said. “To qualify for tax advantages provided under the Act, it is important that before consumers have any work done, they confirm their home improvements qualify under the program. Just because a product has the government’s Energy Star Seal doesn’t mean it is covered by the program.”

The Energy Star seal is the Environmental Protection Agency’s standard for energy efficient consumer products. A full list of eligible projects and products is posted at www.energystar.gov/taxcredits.

Improvements must be made to the owner’s primary residence. For the following home improvements, a household can benefit from a tax credit for 30 percent of the project’s cost, up to a total of $1,500 for all improvements:

*Windows and doors, including energy-efficient skylights, storm windows, exterior windows, storm doors and exterior doors;

*Roofing and insulation, including metal or asphalt shingles;

*Heating and cooling systems, including energy-efficient central air conditioning units, oil and gas furnaces; and

*Water heaters, including energy-efficient gas, oil, or propane water heaters and electric pump water heating systems.

“This government initiative provides an extra layer of savings for Connecticut residents since energy-efficient appliances and improvements bring down monthly costs for homeowners,” Ms Scarpetti added.

Connecticut Better Business Bureau offers the following advice for homeowners on finding a company or contractor they can trust to help make their house greener:

*Before making any improvements, visit www.energystar.gov to confirm projects and related products being used are eligible for the tax credit. Also consider consulting a tax professional or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website, at www.irs.gov.

*Always check out prospective companies and contractors at www.bbb.org. Online Reliability Reports will tell consumers if a business is accredited by BBB and if it has a good record of customer satisfaction.

*While homeowners may use any contractor to take advantage of the tax credits, they should get several estimates for qualifying home improvement projects.

More information on home improvements can be found at www.bbb.org.