The Federal Tax Credits Blog

Posts Tagged ‘green’

A thin, invisible film that keeps pilots safe from infrared rays while in the cockpit can save Americans billions of dollars in heating and cooling bills. Money is “flying out the window” in more ways than one for homeowners with standard glass panes. Installing low-emissivity or “Low-E” windows can save home owners a significant amount of money on their heating and cooling bills.

The oil crisis of the mid-70s spurred research into ways to conserve energy. During the period of investigation, it was realized that a large amount of energy was lost through the windows of buildings, so explorations were made into the problem of too-open window glass. It was discovered that the technology was, in fact, already created and being used.

Up to the time of research into energy-efficiency, only airplane pilots had the privilege of peering through glass treated in this fashion and that only because flight brought one closer in contact with higher amounts of infra-red radiation. The protection for pilots exposed to higher levels of radiation than one could normally expect had an unexpected side-effect: it made the window glass extremely efficient at filtering energy, creating window panes that could effectively retain heat in a house in winter and keep it cooler in the summer.

The challenge was not in the creation of the treated glass or in the patents or in the materials. It was in the eternal resistance to things that were new. The researchers were hard-put to prove that this kind of glass worked better than previous incarnations. Gradually, with some clever demonstration modules, manufacturers were won over to the idea of an invisible coating providing all these benefits.

As the windows became more popular, the price went down until they are affordable by today’s home owner, not just large corporations. ENERGY STAR now lists these treated windows along with its other approved materials and appliances that can help conserve energy and lower the home owner’s overall expenditures. Now, researchers are working on producing windows of layered, treated glass, which will be even more efficient.

A seemingly random discovery in the 1970s has paved the way for more energy efficient homes today. Research into better window construction is going to give the home owner more control over their home’s emissions than ever before. Home owners will be able to save money and conserve their overall energy expenditure, which will in turn make it more available for the future.

• Energy improvement will pay off

WASHINGTON (AP) â Making energy efficient improvements to your home will do more than reduce your energy costs â they’ll also reduce your tax bill. The tax credit for energy-efficient windows or doors, air conditioners or furnaces, or other energy-s …

Federal tax credit, SmartSun Glass & Free Replacement Window

Question: In U.S. what tax credits are available for energy efficient appliances?

My wife and I are building a new home in Texas and are curious what tax credits are available for energy efficient appliances, especially if we use tankless water heaters. We’re hearing mixed information whether new homes are eligible or if they have to be existing homes.

Thanks

J.W.A.

Answer: The credit was for “upgrades” and intended to get you to replace an old unit. If you are building a new house, you won’t qualify.

Township passes budget with no tax hike

Taxes will remain steady, following a hefty increase in 2009.

Bob Schaffer on Renewable Energy Tax Credits

Question: Does any 1 no how much more tax credits me and my partner would receive for our second child?

Me and my partner have a child. My partner works and i stay at home as it works out better for us with tax credits. We would like to have a second child and i just wanted to no if any1 knew how much more exactly we would get for child and working tax credit with our second child?

Answer: Very little actually, working tax credit doesn’t work out on how many children you have. There is the one family element, no matter how many children you have so the amount won’t change on working tax credits. You will get an extra £2085 a year for an extra child on child tax credit. Which works out to be an extra £35-£40 a week not a lot to raise another child on, so i wouldn’t base your decision on £35 a week!

Cities review corporate tax breaks

Cities struggling to fix roads, fund schools and pay bills increasingly are rescinding tax abatements to companies that don’t hire enough workers, that lay them off or that close up shop.

Recovery: New Homebuyer Credit Claim It

Question: What Are Some Pros and Cons of Different Organizations that Assist With Purchasing Renewable Energy Credits?

There are two organizations that I have been considering: 1) LiveNeutral (www.liveneutral.org); and 2) Native Energy (www.nativeenergy.com).

Some issues that I am considering are: 1) non-profit vs. for-profit; 2) credits purchased from the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) vs. credits created from renewable energy sources; 3) “imaginary” market vs. real-world projects; and 4) managed by educational institution vs. managed by Native American organization. Please feel free to suggest additional criteria.

Also, if there is another organization that you think I should consider, please let me know, and please provide your reasoning for the suggestion.

Thanks!

Answer: There is a table from the Dept. of Energy that compares various vendors and their costs. See:

http://www.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/markets/certificates.shtml?page=1

In effect, you are donating money to fund alternative energy sources (wind, solar, hydro, biogas) that subsequently feed into the nat’l power grid.

Since you are donating money, you might as well get a charitable deducation on your income taxes. The nativeenergy.com site won’t give a definitive answer on this question, but suggests you can do it.

So go with a group which is a charitable non-profit organization that clearly states donations are tax deductible. Look at your yearly electricity bills, multiply kilowatt hours by 2 cents and donate that much.

Unlike the carbon offset credits that are often nebulous and sometimes outright fraudulent, renewable Energy Credits (RECs) trace back to definite generating capacity that can be (and usually are) audited to make sure they are above board. (The US gov’t buys RECs, so any egregious fraud tends to get uncovered quickly.)

I think you are taking the right approach to renewable energy, and these projects will stand the test of time regardless of how the global warming issue pans out.

Despite all the bashing of the US, the graph at:

http://www.eea.europa.eu/pressroom/newsreleases/GHG2006-en

shows how the EU-25 don’t come close to meeting their Kyoto promises.

The non-Kyoto country, the US, in 2006 DECREASED CO2 emissions in by 1.4%.

I guess that signing Kyoto and then reneging somehow makes countries feel noble and good about themselves. But buying RECs that actually do something doesn’t count.

Special Report: America’s route to recovery

When Bob Hagan was a boy people hereabouts equated the coke dust they swept off their doorsteps each day with opportunity, for it came from the steel mills that built this city.

Copenhagen Births World Gov’t Framework Despite Fallout Over Science Fraud

Question: first time home buyer text credit?

Just bought a new home that is being built and it will be delivered in Mid December. Do I still qualify for the 8K tax credit? paid 10% down payment already, and waiting for the settlement in December to pay the rest and close? Any tax advisors out there?? Thanks a million!

Answer: You will need to close in November, Dec 1 is the dead line.

Politicians ring in the new year

Several local politicians used their annual New Year’s Day Levees as a chance to reconnect with residents while expressing their plans for the new year. In Belleville, Mayor Neil Ellis and city councillors met with a throng of residents who gathered at city hall to celebrate the new year.[...]

Brookfield Homes and Tax Credits