New Windows For My House

[RolliePollie]

If anyone is thinking about getting new replacement windows at home, this is the year to do it!

I was super excited when I found out there is a new Federal tax credit for energy efficient windows that gives you back 30% of the total cost, up to $1500. So for me, the total was about $3000 and I'll get $1000 back. Yahoo! Of course, I have to wait til next year's taxes, but in the meantime, I get to enjoy my beautiful new windows and save some money on utilities. Goodbye 1975 metal framed squealing hard to open leaky windows! Hello pretty new Low-E glass high efficiency vinyl framed windows!!!

[ny biker]

Do they tilt in for easy cleaning? Such a great invention.

I replaced my windows a few years ago, and there was a tax credit then, too. It was the first upgrade I made to my condo, and it was a great improvement.

Right now I'm getting estimates to replace my 17-year-old air conditioning/heating system with a new heat pump. It's expensive, but the current tax credit would apply, which makes now a good time to do it. And I'm looking forward to being more comfortable with a quieter system.

Enjoy your windows!

[Tri Girl]

We actually really need new windows. Ours are from 1955 and are in desperate need of replacement. It's one of those tihngs that we've put off because it's going to cost us a pretty penny to replace them all (we have almost 30 ).
Thanks for the heads up about the tax credit.

[Veronica]

You get a tax credit for new furnaces too. Guess how I know that.

Veronica

[Mr. Bloom]

You get a tax credit for new furnaces too. Guess how I know that.

Veronica

...and let me tell you a story about that...

When renovating my office building, we made the decision to spend $48,000 on totally new HVAC expecting a 10 year pay back. This was a difficult decision.

The first winter, the power company called to say they were investigating a problem with our gas meter.

"Oh", I asked, "Has our usage gone down with our new furnaces?"
"Yes", she replied.
"Great", said Mr. Silver, "How much did it go down?"
Her response: "To nearly 0!"

They thought the meter was broken, IT WASN'T! Instead of a 10 year payback, it's less than 4!

[papaver]

We actually really need new windows. Ours are from 1955 and are in desperate need of replacement. It's one of those tihngs that we've put off because it's going to cost us a pretty penny to replace them all (we have almost 30 ).
Thanks for the heads up about the tax credit.

Hey, just a thought: if you spread the investment over 2 years, can you get the tax deduction twice? Lets say you have the first 15 windows installed in december 2009 and the other 15 in 1010, would they accept it?

[divingbiker]

I really ought to get new windows, since my house is 80 years old, but I really like the windows I've got now. I love the individual panes of glass (I think it's called true divided light); they've got so much more character than replacement windows, and with the ancient storm windows in place my heating bill isn't outrageous. When I compare my neighbors' replacement windows to my original windows, I like mine better. It's a dilemma for this environmentalist...but it sure would be nice to be able to clean them easily!

[Crankin]

Make sure you save the sticker from each window. Otherwise, you won't get the tax credit. I thought my husband had ripped them off the windows and set them on the counter, and forgot to throw them away. I threw them out...
But, the energy savings has more than made up for the tax credit I didn't get. Our bill is half.

[RolliePollie]

I really ought to get new windows, since my house is 80 years old, but I really like the windows I've got now. I love the individual panes of glass (I think it's called true divided light); they've got so much more character than replacement windows, and with the ancient storm windows in place my heating bill isn't outrageous. When I compare my neighbors' replacement windows to my original windows, I like mine better. It's a dilemma for this environmentalist...but it sure would be nice to be able to clean them easily!

What an adorable house! Lots of character! My first house had super old windows like that. I did end up replacing them because they wouldn't go up and down anymore. But I kept some of the old ones and made chalkboards and bulletin boards out of them. I even sold some to my co-workers. The chalkboards are neat...I just masked off the edge of the glass and spray painted the middle part of the glass with chalkboard paint. They turned out cute.

[RolliePollie]

Hey, just a thought: if you spread the investment over 2 years, can you get the tax deduction twice? Lets say you have the first 15 windows installed in december 2009 and the other 15 in 1010, would they accept it?

Yes, I think you can do this. The flyer I got says the credit is for 2009 and 2010. That's actually a really good idea. The one thing I didn't have replaced was my sliding glass door...but maybe I can do that in 2010.