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Carmel Builders President, Tom Weiher, discusses Tax Breaks that still apply in 2010
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Improvements that Make Sense ( & Cents)
President’s Corner
Over the past few years I’ve talked a lot about common sense Home Improvements that save energy and save money. I’m glad to report that again this year, Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy Program is offering money saving incentives and rebates!
Home Improvements That Make Sense Now More Than Ever.
There are some home improvements that not only add immediate value to your home, but also assure homeowners that their primary investment is in good shape, will retain its value, and be ready to grow in real value when the real estate markets improve.
These are:
1. Exterior improvements to the home – that protect a home from deteriorating, and contribute to better home energy efficiency.
2. Improvements that make your home work better and be more enjoyable right now (since we’re all staying home more, right?).
3. Energy saving improvements – saving you $$ and adding comfort.
This year, energy saving improvements are especially valuable. In addition to substantially lowering your utility bills and increasing your comfort, for 2010 there are government incentives to make energy saving improvements.
One program is the state of Wisconsin “Focus on Energy,” which provides rebates to people for making energy efficiency and safety improvements to their home.
Here’s how it works: First you get a Home Performance Evaluation from a certified professional, which includes a blower door test for air tightness and a safety inspection of your furnace and water heater. The inspector provides you with a detailed list of recommendations to save energy, you implement them, and then, besides lowering your utility bills, you are eligible to recoup some of the cost of improvements by filing for a rebate. All the details of the program can be found on the “Focus on Energy” website: www.focusonenergy.com.
There are also 2010 energy tax incentives available for qualified home improvements from the Federal Government through the Internal Revenue Code Section 25C. Find more about this at: http://www.taxalmanac.org/index.php/Sec._25C._Nonbusiness_Energy_Property.
To help you pay for your improvements, explore financial options from Energy Finance Solutions (www.energyfinancesolutions.com), which is part of the Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation. This non-profit company provides loans to pay for energy efficiency improvements.
This is lot of information and takes some work, I know, but it’s well worthwhile. If you need further information or assistance with the “Focus on Energy”, just give us a call. We’ll be happy to help you out.
Remember, these incentives are only guaranteed through 2010, so start today to save money, be more comfortable and help Wisconsin’s environment and its economy.