| Today, many homeowners are concerned with | | | | that the costs of heating and cooling the home go |
| maintaining or improving their present home | | | | down for the homeowner. In addition, |
| instead of buying a bigger one. Staying put and | | | | replacement windows can be a real boon for the |
| increasing the value of your home can be a smart | | | | environment by saving energy. Energy savings is |
| move in today's economy. | | | | good for both the local environment and the global |
| But not all improvements are equal. Some | | | | environment. |
| improvements provide more benefits to | | | | Right now is a great time to replace your |
| homeowners than others. | | | | windows. The American Recovery and |
| Take, for example, window replacement. | | | | Reinvestment Act of 2009 includes some new |
| Residential replacement windows have long been a | | | | tax credits for homeowners who replace their |
| favorite improvement project among | | | | windows. Homeowners can take a tax credit of |
| homeowners. And for good reason. Many older | | | | 30 percent of the cost of the new windows up |
| homes have windows that have outlasted their | | | | to $1500 total. For more information and details |
| useful life. The old windows may let in drafts and | | | | on the credit, visit the government's Energy Star |
| damaging ultraviolet rays which destroy furniture | | | | website and consult your own tax advisor. |
| and carpets. In recent years, new home builders | | | | Beware, though, not all Energy Star products |
| have used increasingly less expensive products. | | | | qualify for the credit. Now replacement windows |
| Homeowners are finding that the windows in a | | | | must meet strict government standards to qualify |
| new home can need to be replaced in as little as | | | | for the credit. |
| five years. | | | | To find the best windows for your window |
| One of the most critical benefits of window | | | | replacement project, contact a window |
| replacement is that new windows can improve | | | | replacement contractor in your area to find the |
| the energy efficiency of the home. This means | | | | replacement windows that fit your needs. |