Grove Street

If you’re planning a window or door replacement project, then now’s the time. That’s because you can receive a tax credit for 30% of the cost of qualified energy-efficient windows and doors, up to $1,500. This is a huge opportunity for you.

The tax credit was originally a measly $200 for windows and up to $500 for doors. Now Congress and the President have passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, aka “The Stimulus.” Inside is a provision that triples the old tax credit.

This isn’t just a handout. To qualify for the new Tax Credit, you have to be a smart shopper and buy the most energy-efficient windows. Energy Star certification, the old standard, doesn’t cut it anymore. The new standard will help our country become energy independent. Plus, better windows save you money on energy bills and keep you comfortable all year round.

What Are The Requirements For The Tax Credit?

Only windows and doors with a U-Factor of .30 or less qualify. U-Factor is a measure of the window’s overall energy-efficiency. Many windows have U-Factors of .31 or .32. Those don’t qualify.

Windows and doors also need a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of .30 or less. A low SHGC blocks the blistering heat that comes through windows in the summer, reducing the load on your air conditioning. Once again, .31 or .32 aren’t good enough. It has to be exactly .30 or less.

U-Factor and SHGC are independently tested and verified for windows by the National Fenestration Rating Council. Any reputable window will have a NFRC sticker.

How To Tell Which Windows And Doors Qualify

To get your $1,500 tax credit, you need to shop smart. Many windows and doors out there don’t meet the new requirements—even some high-end brands you’ve heard of. A lot of companies haven’t processed or don’t even know about the new tax credit. There’s a lot of confusion about this right now—you don’t want to be left empty-handed.

Here’s what you need to do: Make sure that any replacement window or door you buy has a U-Factor and SHGC of .30 or less. If the window company won’t show you the NFRC sticker certifying the ratings, walk away. If you’re unsure or suspicious, visit the NFRC at www.nfrc.org. You can verify ratings in the product directory or contact them directly.

How To Claim Your 2009 Energy Tax Credit For Windows And Doors

1. Purchase and install any replacement window, patio door, or entry door with a U-Factor and SHGC of .30 or below between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010.

2. Save your receipt and each window and door performance label (NFRC label) with your tax documents.

3. Claim your tax credit on your Federal filing for the 2009 or 2010 tax year.

Terms and Limitations

• The tax credit is for the cost of the product only and does not include installation costs. Be sure to ask for a sales receipt that shows the cost of the product only.

• The tax credit is 30% of the amount paid up to a $1,500 maximum.

• If a combination of windows and doors are purchased, the total maximum credit is $1,500.

• This is a new tax credit for 2009/2010

Well it may sound metaphorical but yes your car will also need a shiny exterior and an interior that races at high speed, just like you! Well till now all you may have heard about maintaining your car is that:

Maintain a steady speed of 60mph and your car will run smooth for a longer period.

Use the correct gas needed for your car.

You have no idea how things pile up in the trunk. So keep the trunk empty for fuel efficiency.

All of that is true when it comes to running your car. But it is not just the engine that constitutes your car; the shiny body that you liked once, the color that you had specifically chosen or the leather seats that you were proud of when you booked the car, all of that needs proper maintenance and care.

Let’s look one by one how you can keep the exterior of your car shiny:

First rinse the dirt and dust off your car. Now use a sponge and soap it up well. Enjoy the foam as it lathers the body of the car! Wash it off or hose off the soap from the body next and clean the car. Now remember to dry it off with a soft, clean cloth. If you leave wet spots and water droplets on the body of the car then those will gather dust and you will get a spot when it dries up.

Once a month you must use the chemicals available to remove bugs and dirt from the body of the car. These generally polish the surface of the car at the same time and are readily available in auto parts stores.

Next is polishing. Use a good wax and pamper your car once in two months. Agreed you may want to just drive in a car wash and get all of these done, but believe me there is nothing better than personal care.

Tires kiss the road; keep them strong, well-maintained and sturdy and they will ensure that your car is stable. Cleaning your tires is a must. Use cleaning products to stop building up of dust.

Use care products specially made for other parts of your car; vinyl, wood work if any or plastic and rubber.

Once, you have the exterior dazzling your neighbor’s don’t forget to pamper the interiors of your car to impress those whom you drive around!

Use seat covers. This cannot be stressed enough. It is easy to take these off and clean. Vacuum your car seats, then clean the seat covers, dry them and put them back on the seats.

Clean the windows with proper cleaners, the dashboard and other attachments carefully using soft cleansers.

Vacuum the carpet and use rubber mats to keep dust off from getting under the carpet.

Simple, easy to use tips to maintain the look of your car all by yourself and also gives you a good break for your Sundays. Remember to park your car in your garage if you are not using it often, this will protect the car and keep that extra dust off the body!

Lang Exterior windows not only look nice, but they will add considerable value to your home. New windows are one of the aspects that a real estate appraiser considers when coming up with an appraised value of your home. By getting replacement windows, you can see the return right away when it comes to the value of your home.

In addition to adding to the value of your home and simply looking a lot better than your old windows, your replacement windows will also, most likely, be more energy efficient. The glass that is used in windows today is not the same as that used in windows made years ago. It is better insulated and more energy efficient. You will begin to notice a difference in your heating and air conditioning bills right away when you install your Lang windows.

If you are looking for both energy efficiency, beauty and a maintenance free window, Lang Exteriors gives you plenty of options from which to choose. Many people opt for vinyl clad windows and others choose aluminum clad windows. Both options are maintenance free so you never have to worry about painting or repainting your window exteriors.

Casement units have been popular since the 1980s and Lang Exteriors makes quality casement window units. Casements are usually very affordable as well and many people like them because the glass is incredibly easy to keep clean. You need only crank them out and clean both sides of the glass from the inside of your home.

Other styles include double hung windows that pop open to be cleaned from the inside as well and single hung windows in which one pane of glass is stationary and the other opens. One of the nicest aspects about most replacement windows is that the glass is very easy to clean. No more getting up on a ladder and risking injury to clean the outside of your windows. With the new replacement windows available at Lang Exteriors, you can clean your windows in a matter of minutes.

In addition to making casement and double hung windows, Lang Exteriors also makes quality patio doors and sky lights. They also have some of he most innovative designs when it comes to picture windows. Picture windows are stationary windows that do not open. They are used to add beauty and style to your home. Many people prefer picture windows of a geometric design to really make their home stand out.

You can order your Replacement Windows from Lang Exterior online and they can help you figure out how to measure the windows. In addition to standard sizes, they will also make custom orders on windows. The new windows will be delivered to your home and you can either hire a carpenter to install the windows or you can attempt to install them yourself. There are many tutorials available online regarding installing your own windows and if you have the proper tools as well as some carpentry knowledge, you can install your Lang Exterior replacement windows with ease.

Once you have installed new Replacement Windows

from Lang Exteriors, you will wonder why you ever put up with the old windows in the first place.