Energy Credits

[Cathy]

My office and clients are in southern Louisiana.

Many clients have come this year so proudly with their "energy efficient home improvements eligible for the 30% credit" (mainly replacement windows). After verifying their U and SHGC factors for the replacement components, I normally have to break the news to them that the particular windows they purchased aren't eligible for the energy credit. And, I know that your "supplier told you that these windows do qualify for the credit" yada, yada, yada.

After steaming over the different vendors not telling their customers the "truth", I decided to get down to the "bottom" of the confusion.

Taken from the "Energy Star" website (energystar.gov): "While some windows and skylights are better at keeping you warm, others excel at keeping you cool." A graphic is displayed that shows people in southern Louisiana are better off purchasing windows with a U factor of .60 or less and the same graphic shows that people in the northern states are better off purchasing the windows with a U factor of .30 or less.

This is where the problem lies....the tax credit is for windows with a U factor of .30 or less ONLY.

In other words, people in Louisiana would not be wise in purchasing windows with a .30 or less U factor as windows of .60 or less U factor do a better job at cooling because of our climate. We rarely have to use heaters in the deep south...but air conditioning is essential! Vendors and suppliers stock and order the best energy rated components for our climate, and although the windows they sell are the best windows based on the "Energy Star" recommendations, they DON'T meet the requirements for the tax credit.

As "Energy Star" is a government affiliated program, why wasn't someone with "Energy Star" consulted with prior to Congress establishing this tax credit and the requirements for the credit?

I know....it's the same as asking why were the rules changed for the EIC qualifications when there was so much fraud involved. Instead of taking care of the ones committing the fraud, it was easier to make rules to where those same persons were NOT committing fraud......NOTHING IN THE TAX CODE MAKES SENSE ANY MORE!

Thank you for listening. I have vented and now ready to go back to work.

UPDATE:

For double hung windows with the argo gas option, google the brand name and "Manufacturer's Certificate Statement" to see if the particular model or series of windows purchased are eligible for the credit. A window that has a label that states a U factor of .32 could still be a qualifying window if it is then double hung with argon gas in between two panes of window.....that's when the "Manufacturer's Certificate Statement" comes in handy...especially if you are dealing with sales persons who can't tell you anything else but "you can rely on my word".