We have all heard of the tax credits for buying a home or buying a car, even for buying appliances. Now there is a tax credit for buying energy-saving windows for your home. This is a great incentive to replace those old drafty windows before winter sets in.

Old windows can cause more than just a draft. They can cause condensation and mold to grow, rot wood sills and be a hazard for easy breakage or break-ins. When looking at whether to get new windows or not, it is not difficult for most people to assess they don’t want their heating dollars to go out the window. But the decision to invest in new windows can be costly. Now the tax credit incentive is a wonderful opportunity to feel good about the expense. Under this new incentive the government will provide up to a $1,500.00 tax credit for the purchase of energy-saving windows for your newer home or your older home. This incentive is available through the end of 2010. Previously in 2007 there was a $500.00 tax credit for purchasing new windows. This present tax credit is increased by up to $1,000.00 more, depending on your purchase.

In order to ensure the windows you are looking to buy meet the guidelines for this tax credit you must seek the manufacturers labels which should state that it is a 30/30 standard. Windows are rated by efficiency standards for insulation and taking in solar heat. So what is the 30/30 standard? Basically this means the windows must at least meet the minimum SHGC levels and U-Factor levels for efficiency. SHGC stands for (Solar Heat Gain Coefficient) levels. The U-Factor level or rating for energy loss must be.30 or less and the SHGC level must be.30 or less. The U- Factor represents how much heat is lost through your window. So of course we can surmise that the lower the heat loss the better for our heating bill. The SHGC is just as it sounds, it describes how much direct heat and sunlight is absorbed through your windows. A high number for SHGC is only helpful in the winter months not in the summer because it will cause much cooling to be lost through the sunlight and solar energy being brought in by non efficient windows. Since the low U-Factor takes care of loss of winter heat, you want a low SHGC number to preserve the cool air in the summer months, so it does not become neutralized by solar heat being absorbed by inefficient windows.

Some of the best energy-saving windows manufactured today is triple paned windows. All newly manufactured windows are rated. Look for the Energy Star Rating as a guide to ensure you are getting the best window for your money and that they meet the 30/30 guidelines to be eligible for up to a $1,500 tax credit.

Remember to save your labels and receipts to submit with your tax return. There is a special form you will need to use when filing for your special tax credit, the form is #5695. Make sure you submit all paperwork with this form at tax time to ensure your tax rebate.

Author Bio: Kathy is a energy efficient guru and enjoys writing about ways to save money. For more info on energy efficient windows, visit http://www.superiorwindowcompany.com.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: replacement windows, vinyl windows, double hung, double pane, dual pane