STIMULUS BILL TAX CREDITS FOR ENERGY EFFICIENT HOME IMPROVEMENTS

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed a stimulus bill (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) that made some significant changes to the energy efficiency tax credits. The highlights are:

• The tax credits that were previously effective for 2009, have been extended to 2010 as well.
• The tax credit has been raised from 10% to 30%.
• The tax credits that were for a specific dollar amount (ex $300 for a CAC), have been converted to 30% of the cost.
• The maximum credit has been raised from $500 to $1500 for the two years (2009–2010). However, some improvements such as geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, and solar panels are not subject to the $1,500 maximum.
• The $200 cap on windows has been removed.

**Please note, not all ENERGY STAR qualified homes and products qualify for a tax credit. These tax credits are available for a number of products at the highest efficiency levels, which typically cost much more than standard products. If, for whatever reason, you decide not to purchase a product covered by the tax credit, you may still consider purchasing an ENERGY STAR product. ENERGY STAR distinguishes energy efficient products which, although they may cost more to purchase than standard models, will pay you back in lower energy bills within a reasonable amount of time, without a tax credit.

FW&D INSTALLS ENERGY STAR RATED PRODUCTS ELIGIBLE FOR TAX CREDITS

President Obama signed a new stimulus package on February 17^th, 2009. The stimulus package rewards tax credits to home improvements with Energy Star rated products*. FW&D LLC can provide these products and installations for you to receive your tax credit! You can receive tax credit on your Energy Star rated new entry door, storm door, storm windows, replacement windows and insulation. Here is more information to see if your home improvement qualifies for tax credit. Call FW&D to schedule a free estimate on your Energy Star rated home improvements!

*NOT ALL ENERGY STAR RATED WINDOWS AND DOORS QUALIFY FOR TAX CREDIT!

FW&D installs PROVIA ENERGY STAR DOOR in Fairlington

On a typical Northern Virginia February day, starting with temps in the 20's, snow flurries, brilliant sunshine, temps to 40, and then windy, FW&D installed a new kitchen entry door in Fairlington Villages. The typical Fairlington Villages kitchens in Arlington, Virginia, are smaller with a very limited amount of natural light. Wanting to eliminate the dreary lighting and the cold draft seeping in from the winter chill, a homeowner contacted their local experts, FW&D, to assist with the project. For his recently remodeled kitchen, we recommended a PROVIA 15 lite door with an ENERGY STAR RATED low-e glass package along with a full view storm door with the most functional pull handle. The doors were measured, ordered and upon delivery from the factory an installation date was scheduled. The pictures show the FW&D team at work installing the new doors. We like to remove all of the old, sometimes damaged or deteriorated, framework. The new door is put into place in the rough door opening and secured to the brick. A minimally expanding insulating foam fills in all of the cracks and voids around the entire door opening. The homeowner came rushing outside to tell us, “It’s warmer in here already!” The inside trim is applied as well as the outside brick mold which is unique to Fairlington. The storm door is installed and we have another completed job! Installing these energy efficient doors will save him money on heating and cooling costs improve the interior comfort and increase the value of his home. By using the PROVIA door system the homeowner is eligible for the tax credit provided by the Energy Improvement and Extension Act 2008 (H.R. 1424). If you would like to start saving energy please contact us at WWW.FAIRWD.COM, 703-933-8900 or email us at info@fairwd.com.

David Simmons- CertainTeed Master Shingle Applicator

FW&D LLC is pleased to announce that David Simmons, having passed the MSA test, is recognized as a CertainTeed Master Shingle Applicator. The MSA test is based on the Certainteed Shingle Applicator's Manual. This publication discusses the complex requirements and recommendations for the installation of a high-quality shingle roof system. Topics covered include the specific installation instructions for CertainTeed shingles, workmanship, estimating, roof ventilation, shingle underlayment, flashing specifications, and repairs.
About CertainTeed
Through innovation and creative product design, CertainTeed has helped shape the building products industry for more than 100 years. Founded in 1904 as General Roofing Company, the firm made its slogan "Quality Made Certain, Satisfaction Guaranteed," which quickly inspired the name CertainTeed. Today, CertainTeed is North America's leading brand of exterior and interior building products, including roofing, siding, windows, fence, decking, railing, trim, foundations, pipe, insulation, walls, ceilings and access covers. Headquartered in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, CertainTeed and its affiliates have approximately 8,000 employees and nearly 70 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Canada. In 2006 the group had consolidated sales approaching $4 billion. www.certainteed.com.

Skylights

Rooms filled with natural light and fresh air are invariably more beautiful, spacious and uplifting to your spirits. Daylight is the essential element that transforms conventional rooms into splendid spaces that add value and quality to your home and your life. With energy rates constantly increasing, many homeowners are ensuring that the products installed by FW&D in their homes be energy efficient. All VELUX Skylights meet ENERGYSTAR qualification guidelines for all US climate zones, and they are 40% more efficient than most national building codes require. This means that VELUX skylights promote energy efficiency and can save uou moneyon your utility bills - all while enhancing the look and beauty of your living spaces. This Fairfax remodeling project required a cut through the kitchen ceiling into the attic, build a tunnel to the roof and then cut through the roof. The electrical lines in the attic were rerouted, VELUX skylights installed, drywall finished and painted and brilliant sunshine flowed into the kitchen.

CONTRACT PRICE CHANGES!

Why was the final cost different from the original proposal? When we removed the existing tile from the wall on this Alexandria Virginia bath room remodel we found rotten wood as a result of the window leaking. It was then necessary to contact the homeowner and advise them of the circumstances and devolop a change order for the repairs. We removed and replaced all of the wet insulation and rotten wood which was not anticipated or projected in the original proposal. This is just one example of how the original cost estimate can change.

Trailer

FW&D adds a utility trailer to the fleet of vehicles serving Northern Virginia remodeling projects. In the past for some large remodeling projects (i.e. new additions, kitchen expansions, basement renovations, etc.) we would have extra materials stored in the house. This new utility trailer allows us to store remodeling materials at the job site instead of inside the clients’ home which frees up work space and living space for the client. Right now the trailer is in Arlington for window installations and door replacements. If you see the FW&D Remodeling Services trailer be sure to wave or visit us online at WWW.FAIRWD.COM!