USA Today reports that tax credits for energy-efficient products like windows and doors are still available to homeowners. According to their website, last year's economic stimulus package has expanded some energy-efficient breaks, including:
The non-business energy property tax credit. This tax break provides a credit of 30% of the cost of new insulation, energy-efficient windows and doors, furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, water heaters or boilers, up to a maximum of $1,500. To claim the full credit, you would need to spend at least $5,000 on qualified energy-efficient home improvements, says Mildred Carter, federal tax analyst for tax publisher CCH.
The credit is available for 2009 and 2010, so if you replace your aging furnace or leaky windows this year, you can claim the credit when you file your 2010 tax return. However, the $1,500 is a lifetime cap, so if you claim a $1,000 credit on this year's return, you're limited to $500 in 2010.
If you need to replace windows this year and haven't yet claimed any such breaks on your taxes for 2009, you could get the full $1500 next year! Home Solutions, your leader in Virginia Beach window replacement, is the one to call for your free estimate on window and panel replacement or installation. Right now, too, when you buy two windows the third one is free, so you save even more!
Showing posts with label windows. Show all posts
Showing posts with label windows. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Solar Shades For Your Windows Can Save You Money
If you enjoy leaving your curtains open to allow natural light to shine into your home, you may think you are saving on your electricity bill. While it's true you may not use your lamps and lighting as much, but too much sunlight can have an adverse effect on your home. While there is light, you're also bringing in harmful UV rays and other potential problems. One way to prevent this and still keep your home illuminated is having exterior solar shades installed.
Why Install Solar Shades?
To protect our skin from the sun while we're outside, we may don wide-brimmed hats or use sunscreen. We may think, too, that being indoors protects us from UV, but in truth it does not. When the sun beats down on your windows, too, there is the danger of overheating the glass, which in turn could cause your A/C system to work harder than it really has to. Furniture and wallpaper may fade, too, dulling the inner beauty of your home.
Solar shades work to protect your rooms from these possibilities while also permitting natural illumination and a view outside. With shades you control the amount of sunshine you want in your home and therefore maintain the right level of cooling that won't take a hit on your wallet.
Solar Shades are Versatile
The more commonly used styles of shading are constructed of either acrylic exterior awning fabric, fiberglass screen, or PVC-coated polyester. Most contractors and companies dealing with shading will offer hundreds of patterns and colors to match your home, and motorized options let you set your shade with no fuss. You won't find a more cost-effective way of saving money on energy bills and beautifying your home.
K. Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Virginia green homes and Virginia Beach handyman services.
Why Install Solar Shades?
To protect our skin from the sun while we're outside, we may don wide-brimmed hats or use sunscreen. We may think, too, that being indoors protects us from UV, but in truth it does not. When the sun beats down on your windows, too, there is the danger of overheating the glass, which in turn could cause your A/C system to work harder than it really has to. Furniture and wallpaper may fade, too, dulling the inner beauty of your home.
Solar shades work to protect your rooms from these possibilities while also permitting natural illumination and a view outside. With shades you control the amount of sunshine you want in your home and therefore maintain the right level of cooling that won't take a hit on your wallet.
Solar Shades are Versatile
The more commonly used styles of shading are constructed of either acrylic exterior awning fabric, fiberglass screen, or PVC-coated polyester. Most contractors and companies dealing with shading will offer hundreds of patterns and colors to match your home, and motorized options let you set your shade with no fuss. You won't find a more cost-effective way of saving money on energy bills and beautifying your home.
K. Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Virginia green homes and Virginia Beach handyman services.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
What Can a Window Replacement Service Do For You?
You don't necessarily have to wait for the neighbor's son to accidentally hit a baseball through your window to consider replacing the glass and frame. Homeowners may choose to have living room and kitchen windows replaced for a variety of reasons: concerns for leaking, older models wasting energy and increasing heating bills normally top the list. Also, as you work to modernize your home you may wish to improve how people see the exterior as well as the rooms. A new frame and glass gives you a new perspective on your home.
That said, it's important to hire a professional window replacement service to ensure your new frames fit right, making your house more energy efficient and attractive. Consult Internet and phone book listings that feature contractors with good Better Business Bureau ratings, or check the popular Angie's List website for genuine consumer reviews to assist your search. A reputable, experienced window service should be able to provide you with the following options at an affordable rate:
Window Installation: Looking for single-hung, double-hung, bay or bow windows? A good window specialist will measure the area where your window goes and apply the frame and style of your choosing.
Existing Window Repair: Break a window recently? Or is your storm window leaking and costing you enormous heating bills? A good window repairman will fix any style in your home.
Sliding Door Installation: Doors and windows often go hand in hand in contracting. As your window man about having a new sliding door leading into your deck or patio.
Whatever the reason for wanting new windows, finding a good window handyman to help improve your home is an important first step in making your house cost efficient and higher in value.
Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Virginia Beach handyman services and Virginia Beach windows replacement and installation. |
Saturday, December 12, 2009
How To Spot And Avoid Home Improvement Scams
The decision to employ a contractor for a home improvement job, room addition, or home repair might not always be an easy one to make. Sometimes, however, it is absolutely necessary to call a professional to handle a job you are unable to do yourself. If you are ready to renovate a bathroom or remodel a kitchen, you want the best person for the job, quality worksmanship at a reasonable priced. Nobody wants to be scammed out of good money for a poor job, but unfortunately it does happen.
Oftentimes, older people are preyed upon in home improvement scams. Taking advantage of a senior citizen's tight budget, a scam artist may try to double-talk a homeowner into expensive, unneeded repairs, then take the money and run. If any work is done on the home, more than likely it isn't enough to justify the payment, and also the work may be shoddy and leave the house in worse condition than it was. Such scams are not always perpetrated on older homeowners, however. Therefore, it is important to know what signs to look for so you don't become ensnared in a fraudulent remodeling job.
What to Look For in a Home Improvement Scam
One possible sign of a con-artist contractor is the approach. If a contractor approaches you for home improvement work unbidden, be warned, especially if he or she is aggressive. Don't let anyone talk you into repairs or additions you feel your home doesn't need, and do not allow anyone to come off the street into your home for a "free estimate." This could actually be a way for somebody to case your home for a future robbery. Even if this person claims to have done work in your area you will want to be on guard. Many contractors find work through customer referrals, so if you are in need of home repairs it is best to get referrals from trusted sources like friends and family.
Be mindful, too, of contracts and payment. If a contractor wants cash up front, or is reluctant to agree to certain terms on a contract, that is usually a red flag. If financing is needed and a contractor insists upon your using his or her referral, that could be another sign. It is not uncommon for unscrupulous contractors to receive kickbacks from creditors they bring into a job. If you need financing, go through your own bank or resource.
Does your contractor have a physical address and phone number, or work primarily through a PO box? This could be another sign of dubious intent. You want to be certain the contractor you choose can easily be found, and is properly licensed and insured. You may wish to avoid anyone who refuses to provide such information.
Be aware of anyone and everyone you approach with a possible home improvement job. Take care to explore recommendations of people you trust and examples of work by potential contractors, and know your legalese before committing a signature to any contract. This is the best way to ensure a job well done without any problems
Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Virginia Beach handyman services and Virginia Beach window replacement.
Oftentimes, older people are preyed upon in home improvement scams. Taking advantage of a senior citizen's tight budget, a scam artist may try to double-talk a homeowner into expensive, unneeded repairs, then take the money and run. If any work is done on the home, more than likely it isn't enough to justify the payment, and also the work may be shoddy and leave the house in worse condition than it was. Such scams are not always perpetrated on older homeowners, however. Therefore, it is important to know what signs to look for so you don't become ensnared in a fraudulent remodeling job.
What to Look For in a Home Improvement Scam
One possible sign of a con-artist contractor is the approach. If a contractor approaches you for home improvement work unbidden, be warned, especially if he or she is aggressive. Don't let anyone talk you into repairs or additions you feel your home doesn't need, and do not allow anyone to come off the street into your home for a "free estimate." This could actually be a way for somebody to case your home for a future robbery. Even if this person claims to have done work in your area you will want to be on guard. Many contractors find work through customer referrals, so if you are in need of home repairs it is best to get referrals from trusted sources like friends and family.
Be mindful, too, of contracts and payment. If a contractor wants cash up front, or is reluctant to agree to certain terms on a contract, that is usually a red flag. If financing is needed and a contractor insists upon your using his or her referral, that could be another sign. It is not uncommon for unscrupulous contractors to receive kickbacks from creditors they bring into a job. If you need financing, go through your own bank or resource.
Does your contractor have a physical address and phone number, or work primarily through a PO box? This could be another sign of dubious intent. You want to be certain the contractor you choose can easily be found, and is properly licensed and insured. You may wish to avoid anyone who refuses to provide such information.
Be aware of anyone and everyone you approach with a possible home improvement job. Take care to explore recommendations of people you trust and examples of work by potential contractors, and know your legalese before committing a signature to any contract. This is the best way to ensure a job well done without any problems
Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Virginia Beach handyman services and Virginia Beach window replacement.
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