Energy Tax Credit Info

President Obama signed the stimulus bill (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) on February 17, 2009 which provides for a 30% credit (up to a maximum of $1500) for the installation of energy effi cient windows in 2009 and 2010.

The windows must have a U factor of .30 or less
and a Solar Heat Gain (SHGC) of .30 or less.

Beware of unscrupulous contractors and window companies who are attempting to confuse consumers by using R-Values when discussing their windows. R-Values are used to measure the insulation value of fi berglass insulation used in walls and attics. The more energy effi cient the insulation, the higher the R-Value. However, R-Values are not the accepted standards used for glass building components (windows, doors & skylights).

The standard used to measure energy effi ciency of windows is the U factor. With windows, the more energy effi cient the window, the lower the U factor. The Energy Tax Credits are only allowed for windows with a U factor of .30 or lower.

To prevent deceptive energy effi ciency claims, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy require that windows be tested and certifi ed by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC). The windows are tested by a government approved agency and given a certifi ed effi ciency value, the U factor. The rating is based upon the effi ciency of the whole window, not just the center of the glass. The label shows exactly how each window is made, its effi ciency rating and it must be attached to the glass of each window as it is manufactured.

We are very proud that our windows have earned the lowest U factors in the country: