Home Pro Home Inspections

 Available Tax Credit for installing Insulated Garage Doors in 2009 and 2010

You can add style, curb appeal and energy efficiency to your home and actually save money at the same time?  The new 2009 stimulus legislation allows American homeowners can earn up to a $1,500 tax credit for buying and installing qualifying insulated garage doors. 

The recent stimulus package legislation extends and significantly increases these tax credits for energy-efficient home improvements. Adding a new garage door in 2009 or 2010 will save you money by helping to lower energy costs, and by paying for itself through the tax credit incentive.

Tax credits are more valuable than an equivalent tax deduction because a tax credit reduces tax dollar-for-dollar, while a deduction only decreases the amount of income taxed. More details on the tax credit, along with information about garage door styles and local dealer installers, can be found at  GarageWowNow.com.

If you live in a home in the Rochester, or Southeastern MN area that has an attached garage, You know that the room next to the garage can often be the coldest room in the winter. Cold air in the winter, and warm air in the summer, can enter the house through the garage, this increasing your costs for heating and cooling. Insulated garage doors can make a noticeable difference in the temperature of a home, but now can also save you money off the bottom line of your income taxes.

The new tax credits are available for qualifying garage door purchases placed in service from Jan.1, 2009, through Dec. 31, 2010. The maximum tax credit that a taxpayer may claim from all qualifying improvements combined is a 30 percent of the cost of each product and $1,500 over the lifetime of the tax credit periods (2009 and 2010).

To be eligible for the tax credit:

* The door must be an insulated residential garage door, installed on an insulated garage.
* The door must have a U-factor equal to or less than 0.30, even if the door contains windows.
* The door perimeter must have a means to control air infiltration.
* The door must be expected to remain in service for at least five years.
* The garage must be part of the taxpayer’s principal United States residence.

Installing a new garage door improves you home’s appearance and value, as well as saving you money and energy.  In some home designs, the garage can comprise a third or more of your home’s front appearance. A new door that is quickly, safely and correctly installed by a local professional will differentiate your home and add style, value and curb appeal.

Even in today’s tough economic times, replacing your garage door with a new upscale model can boost the resale value of your home. A recent online survey revealed that 71 percent of homeowners who recently replaced their garage door believe it definitely increased the value of their home.

To find a professional dealer/installer in the Rochester and Southeastern MN area,  and the garage door style that’s right for you, visit GarageWowNow.com. The site’s ZIP code search function will help you find a professional in your area who can install your door in a few hours. The site also features before and after images of new garage doors that have dramatically changed the appearance of homes.

Rick Erickson, Home Inspector, HomePro Home Inspections. Rochester MN, Southeastern, MN. 507-202-8942. http://www.homepro-inspection.com