Comments on: Energy Efficiency Tax Credits for Homeowners

By: chris perz

chris perz — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:40:18 +0000

In regards to new construction home credits, the home items such as windows, skylights etc will qualify if you payed additional to have the better low-e energy models installed above and beyond what the builder would have installed originally. I just got off the phone with the irs for confirmation; and this is covered on their form 5695 online.

By: Mitzi Carlson

Mitzi Carlson — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:50:30 +0000

My new basement bathroom installation will have 2 exterior walls which are mostly underground. Even though I have never had any seepage or moisture problems with these bare walls (I did paint them with white UGL to lighten up the walls, not to prevent moisture from entering) and the area where I am installing the bathroom is not really cold in winter, should I insulate and put a vapor barrier between the framing members along these exterior walls? I have never had a major moisture problem in my walk-out basement so far and even had a home inspector in to look at some mildew on a wall in one room which he determined was caused by interior condensation and lack of ventilation in that room. (I have a dehumidifier in that room now.)

If I do need to insulate, what r-value insulation should I use? Would that type of insulating job qualify for the tax credit if I buy the proper rated insulation? Should I use a vapor barrier between the insulation and the drywall?

By: Ben Erickson

Ben Erickson — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:15:27 +0000

Hi John,
I don’t know of any tax credit that is available for replacing galvanized plumbing.

By: john

john — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:12:46 +0000

Is there a tax credit or some type of incentive for replacing galvanized piping?

By: Amanda

Amanda — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:47:44 +0000

I hope a lot would be entice to try save energy since they would benefit from it twice-a tax refund and paying less in their electricity consumption. Gerry, its 11 years from now, I hope we would push thru with the zero energy for homes and thus save mother earth from further destruction.

By: Gerry Rogers

Gerry Rogers — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:48:24 +0000

Great article, Danny. Homeowners need to know that the DOE Building Technologies Program has a multi-year plan to move toward zero energy homes by 2020, and the need for energy conservation in our homes is at the top of the list.

For those who want the details, there’s great information at
http://www.eere.energy.gov/

And I’ve been blogging about tax credits specifically for windows and doors at http://askmrrogers.com/category/tax-credit.