Tax credits boost energy-efficient products

Tom and Elizabeth Nash needed to upgrade their 15-year-old windows, and a tax break in the federal stimulus plan helped make their decision easy.

The Augusta couple purchased seven windows from Southern Siding and Window and will receive a 30 percent tax credit, equaling about $840.

"That really sweetened the pot," Mrs. Nash said. "We already needed them, but this certainly made up our minds on which ones to get."

Homeowners who purchase and install energy-efficient products such as windows, insulation, doors, roofs and heating and cooling systems can receive the Home Energy Efficient Improvement Tax Credit for 30 percent of the cost or as much as $1,500 until Dec. 31, 2010, said Chris Kielich, the spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Energy.

Customers are getting a deal on home improvement in more than one way, said Fran Felton, the office manager at Southern Siding and Window.

"These are things they would have needed done anyway, and they end up saving on their power and gas bill," Ms. Felton said.

She said her company has seen a 20 percent increase in sales because of the tax credit.

Busby's Heating and Cooling has seen a significant increase in customers upgrading heating and cooling systems that qualify for the tax credit, owner Rick Busby said. Most customers can save about 25 percent on their energy costs by purchasing the energy-efficient systems, he said.

Consumers should do research at www.energystar.gov before purchasing items to see whether they meet the Energy Department's requirements, said Stephen Holmes, a spokesman for The Home Depot in Atlanta.

Each product also has a certification letter on the manufacturer's Web site ensuring it qualifies for the tax credit.

Every Home Depot has signs noting eligible items, Mr. Holmes said.

"We have windows, siding and roofing products that would qualify," he said. "We have people asking about what qualifies every day."

The Nashes did their homework before shopping for their windows. Mr. Nash said he hopes to cut his energy bill by more than 30 percent.

He looks forward to the savings and enjoying the lower temperatures in his kitchen this summer.

"This area would always get the most sun," he said. "These windows will cool it down a little."

Reach Stephanie Toone at (706) 823-3215 or stephanie.toone@augustachronicle.com.