Did you hear the good news? The tax credit for Energy Star qualified windows has been extended through December 31, 2021! Who knows what the future will bring, but at least you know that this year you’ll be able to get a tax credit for installing new Energy Star qualified windows, doors and skylights in Seattle, WA.
This is good news for homeowners as well as builders. The tax credit for builders who erect energy-efficient homes and the tax deductions for erecting commercial buildings that are energy efficient have also been retroactively extended through December 31, 2021.
How you can qualify for a tax credit
To qualify for a tax credit, windows, skylights and doors must meet a couple requirements. First, they must meet the Energy Star program requirements. They must also be installed in your primary residence (technically, the code states this must be the taxpayer’s residence).
The tax credit isn’t chump change, either. You may qualify for a credit of 10 percent of the cost of the window, door or skylight, up to $200 for windows and skylights and up to $500 for doors. The percentage is calculated from the product cost only, and does not include the cost of installation.
What are Energy Star requirements?
Energy Star windows, doors and skylights are verified to use up to 30 percent less energy than similar products. There are 75 categories of Energy Star products, which are all independently certified to save energy and protect the environment—and save you money in the long run!
These windows usually are made from quality frame materials that reduce heat transfer. You won’t find aluminum frame products because aluminum is too efficient at conducting heat. The glass products will have multiple panes, often with a non-toxic gas like argon or krypton pumped in between to help with insulation. These windows can have two or three panes.
Products with glass are made with low-e glass, which has special coatings to reflect infrared light and keep heat inside when it’s cold outdoors. Conversely, they also regulate temperature by reflecting heat when it’s hot outside. Energy Star windows all have a VT (visible transmittance) rating, stating how much light is allowed to pass through.
Doors will have a tight fit with high-quality weather stripping. This may include a magnetic strip to create an even tighter seal against air leakage. They’re also made with materials like fiberglass, steel with polyurethane foam core and wood.
Traditional-style skylights are made with the same technology as Energy Star windows, and it’s even more helpful due to their extended exposure to sunlight. Skylights in the tubular daylight device style help light up spaces that don’t have access to sunlight. These feature a bubble dome at the top, and transmit the light with a diffusing lens inside the tube to a room in your house.
For more information about the tax credit for installing new Energy Star qualified windows, doors and skylights in Seattle, WA, visit or call Stewart Lumber & Hardware Co. today.