TAX CREDITS FOR ENERGY-EFFICIENT PRODUCTS
Tax Credits for Energy-Efficient Windows, Doors and Skylights
Effective January 1, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the “Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act" (H.R. 4853) which institutes a $200 tax credit for energy-efficient products.
ENERGY STAR® Values and Tax Credit* Parameters
As of January 1, ENERGY STAR labeled windows, doors and skylights qualify for the tax credit. The credit covers 10 percent of the cost of the window or skylight – capped at $200 and up to $500 for doors (installation and labor costs are ineligible). These caps represent lifetime limits for energy-efficient products. Homeowners do not qualify if they have received tax credits exceeding these caps from taxable years 2006-2010.
*The California counties of Alpine, Lassen, Modoc, Mono, and Plumas have different rules for the tax credit. The tax credit requires compliance with the 2001 Supplement of the 2000 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or the 2004 Supplement of the 2003 IECC. These California counties fall into an IECC climate zone that specifies a U-Factor of 0.35 for exterior doors. While there is no solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) requirement, the U-factor excludes some ENERGY STAR qualified doors.
Additional Resources
How to File a Claim
Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency
ENERGY STAR website
American Architectural