Figuratively or literally.
That--as is said--is history.
Let's paint this country green.
Regardless of how you feel about The American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009, tax breaks are always nice. The economic stimulus package that was signed into law on
Homeowners can get credits for installing efficient air conditioners and heat pumps; gas or oil furnaces and furnace fans; and gas, oil, or electric heat pump water heaters in new or existing homes. They can also get credits for energy improvements to their homes, such as windows, insulation, and envelope and duct sealing. Here is a list of the modifications homeowners can make to receive these credits:Adding insulation to walls, ceilings, or other part of the building envelope that meets the 2009 IECC (& supplements) specifications.
· Replacing windows and skylights, and exterior doors which are equal to or below a 0.30 U factor and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of 0.30.
· Sealing cracks in the building shell and ducts to reduce infiltration and heat loss - these should be sealed so as to be consistent with the 2009 IECC.
· Window films certified by the manufacturer that the product meets the requirements of a "qualifying insulation system."
· Pigmented metal roofs, or an asphalt roof with cooling granules must meet Energy Star requirements.
In addition to the tax credits, eco-friendly products can cut energy costs by 25 to 35% per year and, in some cases, making these types of modifications to your home are better for your health and safety as well. Asbestos, for example, was widely used as insulation in homes for most of the 20th century. Exposure to asbestos is the only known cause of an aggressive type of lung cancer known as pleural mesothelioma. Unfortunately, this type of cancer is hard to treat effectively as symptoms do not usually show up until about 15 to 25 years after exposure. By the time a mesothelioma diagnosis is made, the cancer is usually in its advanced stages.
There are a number of other alternative types of insulation that can be used that are more eco-friendly than asbestos and don’t pose any danger to your health. The United States Department of Energy has a list of insulation “Energy Savers” you can use when making plans to remodel your home.
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--Lord Byron
