You also need to know that these caps represent the new “lifetime limits” and are retroactive to 2005. So if you’ve taken some deductions already, you may have used your share. Check with your tax advisor.

And bear in mind that all the previous caveats and restrictions still apply, which means that eligibility for the tax credit depends on two things:

•    Only qualifying windows and doors that were purchased and installed on an existing home that was your principal residence are eligible, which excludes new construction and rental properties, and
•    Not all Energy Star products are automatically eligible. Your new windows and doors must have a U-Factor of .30 or less and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of .30 or less. This info is easily found on the NFRC label that would have been on your window and/or door at the time of purchase/installation.

Remember, too, that the tax credit does not include the installation costs. But, if you made an eligible energy-saving product purchase in 2011, then just gather up your paperwork and file your claim when you file your taxes. It’s worth it, because you could still reduce your tax bill and save yourself some money.

I tell you precisely what you need to do to submit a claim this tax season in my article “Don’t Forget to Claim Your Energy Tax Credit!”

I get asked this question very often, in one form or another. So when I came across it again online I tried to respond. Unfortunately the comments were closed, and that’s why I’m posting it now. Here is the rest of the question:

My house is 20 years old and most of the seals have broken and the windows are fogged. We are looking at replacement options and have found that vinyl is a lot less expensive than wood or composite. Our house is worth about $500k and we don’t want to hurt our resell since we will be moving within the next 3-5 years. Will vinyl windows hurt the resell value in a house in our price range?”

Yes, and no.

There are some high quality vinyl windows available today with energy efficient properties that would probably add to the value of your house versus repairing the current wood sashes. It depends on their condition.

But your house is only worth what people are willing to pay for it. I’m guessing that your 20-year-old house in an established neighborhood has a definite aesthetic appeal that inexpensive vinyl windows will not be able to accomplish. Vinyl frames are thicker than those of wood or composite materials like FIBREX. Plus rarely have I seen vinyl windows that actually match or complement the exterior finish of a house that isn’t white, gray or tan. They just won’t look right, and who wants to be the house people point to and say, “There goes the neighborhood!”

You may think vinyl windows are a good choice because of price, and because you’ll never get away from the ongoing, annual maintenance of painting wood windows and the moisture issues that go with them. But there are other options to consider that can be very economical—especially if you buy windows that will qualify you for the $1500 federal energy tax credit (1500 tax credit windows).

With the savings in monthly energy costs, ongoing maintenance expenses and the tax credits available today (check the Energy Star website and my tax credit posts), you stand a good chance to recover your entire replacement window investment in a few years, increase the resale value of your real estate, plus improve your monthly cash flow.

A good resource for resale values is the annual Cost vs. Value Report issued by Remodeling Magazine. Good luck with your project.

Brenda McGowan

Answer:
I’m sorry to hear about the seal failure on your windows. I’m looking at a window with a failed seal right now. We took it out of a home about a year ago, and we kept it because it’s so fogged up you can barely see out of it. It’s frustrating to deal with fogged windows.

You can definitely get a free estimate. We provide in-home estimates so you can get the information you need before making a decision for your replacement windows. We’ll go over all the window styles, colors, hardware, and grills. Then we’ll measure the windows you’re thinking about replacing in order to ensure an accurate estimate and worry free performance (No more fog. Guaranteed.).

As for the window that’s bleaching your cabinet and floors, you mentioned a tinted window. We do carry those, and if that’s what you want, you’ll get it. But did you know that tinted windows still let in a lot of the ultraviolet rays responsible for the bleaching? That’s in addition to being dark and blocking out sunlight…

We offer a new glass option that sounds perfect for your kitchen. It’s called SmartSun glass, and right now I’m giving it away free in support of the Stimulus Energy Tax Credit. SmartSun glass blocks 95% of UV rays that are damaging your cabinets—but without room-darkening tint. Plus it reduces the amount of heat gain you feel inside during the summer as well as the cold you feel around your windows in winter temperatures.

And don’t forget to get the details that will save you up to $1500 on your taxes this year and next. It’s a tax credit for energy-efficient replacement windows.

What is SmartSun? This short video will tell you everything:

Usually SmartSun glass is a premium upgrade. Like any window out there, the energy-efficient technologies that qualify you for the tax credit are extra. But like I said in the title to today’s post, you can get it for free. Here’s how:

Just buy 9 windows. You get a 10th window free, plus you get the free upgrade to SmartSun glass on every window. AND you get a $50 off coupon. AND you have the option of $99 a month financing. I’m going all out to help you get new replacement windows that qualify for the $1,500 energy tax credit.

You can read more about the offer right here.

I made this quick video to answer some of the questions:

The energy-efficiency requirements for windows and doors are very specific, so make sure you understand how to claim your energy tax credit. And stay tuned, because I’ll be blogging more about this!

Answers to Your Pricing Questions about Replacement Windows

You know exactly what you want from replacement windows: quality, good looks, durability, and energy-efficiency… at a great price. But some companies would rather confuse you with a too-good-to-be-true price and leave you wondering if you got a quality window… or not.

If you want to qualify for the Federal Tax Credit of up to $1500, you need to know enough about windows to be sure you get your tax credit money and that you get the energy savings you are expecting.

Schedule your free in-home consultation and discover the 24 factors that affect the cost of windows. During your appointment, a window consultant will inspect your windows, measure your window openings and give you a “no surprises” estimate for the complete project.