Featured Insulation and Weather Stripping Article:
Tax Credit for Insulation
By Jinky Bagagnan
The federal tax credit for green home improvements can also be claimed for insulation improvements to your home. The following are some tips that will help ensure you can get the federal tax credit you deserve for your green home renovation.
Get Tax Credit for Insulation
Up to 30 percent of the cost of insulation materials or insulation system can be returned to a homeowner as tax credit. Such insulation products must be actively in place and in use by December 31, 2010. If the insulation is put in place in 2009, the tax credit will apply on the 2009 taxes. If the insulation is put in place in 2010, the tax credit will apply on the 2010 taxes. Only the purchase cost of insulation products are covered; professional installation fees are not included.
Know the Conditions of the Tax Credit for Insulation
Insulation materials or insulation systems serve one specific and principal purpose: reduce the amount of heat gained or lost in a home. Insulation products must come with a manufacturer's certification statement that says they are tax-credit qualified. Insulation products must also satisfy the building thermal envelope requirements set by the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code.
Know What Insulation Products Qualify
Batt or roll insulation is a qualified insulation product; both batts and rolls are typically made of fiberglass and used within walls. Spray foam insulation (also known as expanding spray insulation) are also tax-credit qualified. Loose-fill insulation (also known as blow-in cellulose fiber insulation), pour-in-place insulation (usually made of polyurethane foam), and rigid board insulation also qualify. Products that are meant to reduce air leakage (weather stripping, house wraps, and caulks) also qualify for a tax credit as long as they come with a manufacturer's certification statement to that effect.
Know What You Can't Get Credit for
Products that are not designed for insulation – even if such products have insulating value – do not qualify for the insulation tax credit. Insulated drywalls, sidings, products designed to provide structural support, and products that have been designed for any other purpose but the reduction of a home's heat gain or loss do not qualify for the insulation tax-credit.
Insulate the Right Way
To properly insulate your home, get the help of a remodeling contractor. Most bulk insulation products require special equipment that contractors already have. Furthermore, insulation materials are rather expensive. If you don't want to waste your materials, make sure it is applied correctly the first time. You can be sure of this if a professional contractor is on the job.
One final note: Before you insulate your home and claim your tax credit for green home improvement, learn about R-values. A product's R-value indicates its ability to resist heat traveling through it. The higher a product's R-value, the higher the level of insulation it provides. However, prescribed R-values vary by location and climate. This is one other reason why you should consult a remodeling contractor before you proceed with your green home improvement project.
