Welcome Back Readers! This is the first in our new Remodeling Lancaster Columns by Guest Columnist Mike Blank with MBC Building and Remodeling, LLC !
If you live in Central PA and you have ever wondered who you could trust to provide quality remodeling and handyman repair services, look no farther than Mike Blank. From Decks to Kitchens, Additions to Painting, repairs needed to sell a home, if it needs done at your house Mike can either make it happen or find you someone who can. Call Mike at 717-371-5136 for the best service for your contracting needs.
This week Mike brings you tips on how you can claim Tax Credits for making repairs and improvements to your home. Read on after the jump to find out more!
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The Federal Government has announced that it will be continuing to grant tax credit on energy saving devices this year, as long as the devices are installed and working by December 31, 2010. This extended deadline means that a number of people will be installing better insulation, more efficient heat pumps, new windows, and a host of other improvements this year. Now is the perfect time for you to join in these savings.
First off, you don’t want to wait until the last minute. As the deadline approaches, everyone and their brother is going to be installing all kinds of energy saving devices, so towards the end of the year, you should expect to see these devices get more expensive and see longer waits to have them installed. Besides, going green saves you money, and you’ll be getting the tax credit anyway, so why wait? You can start saving now, and have the same tax credits as people who waited, plus all the money you’ll save on utilities in the meantime.
Of course, many people already knew that you could get tax credit for a more efficient water heater, but did you know that you can have your roof redone? That’s right; certain types of roofing reflect more of the sun’s rays away from your home. Come summer, this will save you a great deal of money on your air conditioning, and you can get a 30% tax credit. You can also replace your windows and doors with the same credit. Upgrades to your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are also given the tax credit.
Here’s the one that blew me away: you can get a tax credit on wood stoves. That’s right; the Federal Government is
now willing to give you a tax credit on that fireplace that you’ve always wanted. It will have to meet certain thermal efficiency requirements, of course, but talk about home improvement! The provision also includes pellet stoves, which are more compact than wood stoves and just as cozy in the winter. Of course, the fireplace you install will have to be the real kind – there’s no tax credit on having a natural gas burner with fake logs around it.
There are also tax credits available for people who want to go big, people who are serious about saving the planet and saving money. The installation of a fuel cell generator, wind generator, or solar panel qualifies homeowners for tax credit. If you’ve ever been without electricity because of a winter storm, having an on-site winter or solar system will sound like a very good idea.
2010 is the year to go green. And remember – going green also means saving green!
Mike Blank, CGR CAPS, is President of MBC Building & Remodeling, LLC (http://www.MBCremodeling.com) based in Millersville. MBC has served Lancaster County, PA since 1999, specializing in Additions, Kitchens, Basements, Bathrooms, Decks and more. You can reach Mike at (717) 371-5136 or Mike@MBCremodeling.com.
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As always, I’d like you to be part of the conversation, so if you like what you read here please comment, forward The Lancaster Connection.com to your friends, subscribe and if you have questions, need real estate advice or want to buy or sell a home, you can call or text me at 717-371-0557, email me at Jason@JasonsHomes.com or contact me at the office at 717-490-8999!
Your Friend in Real Estate,
Jason Burkholder
Weichert, Realtors – Engle & Hambright
Search for Lancaster County Homes for sale at www.JasonsHomes.com by clicking here!
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