Requirements for High-Performing Windows is on Target, Creating Jobs and Energy Independence SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Serious Materials, a leading sustainable building materials company, announced today that it fully supports the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act energy efficiency provisions as enacted. Under the Recovery Act, homeowners can receive federal tax credits for “qualified energy-efficient improvements,” which include windows, doors and skylights. The new tax credits are for 30 percent of the cost of eligible products up to a limit of $1,500. Qualifying window and door products must have a U-Factor of 0.30 or lower and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of 0.30 or lower. This is equal to an R-value of 3.3 or higher. Not all Energy Star labeled windows and skylights qualify for the tax credit. Some manufacturers have issued statements against the Recovery Act’s enhanced efficiency requirements, with the aim of being able to continue passing off old technology as ‘energy saving’, while saving relatively little energy and wasting tax-payer dollars. They have already enticed at least one representative to help them. In addition, two industry associations (WDMA and AAMA) have created form letters to send to congress asking them to remove the energy saving requirements currently in the Recovery Act. “It is unfortunate that already we see some old-line companies asking Congress to unravel important energy saving requirements,” said Kevin Surace, CEO of Serious Materials. “The strong energy efficiency provisions in the Recovery Act should be left alone, and we applaud congress for taking bold steps to create jobs, save energy, and spend our tax dollars wisely. We encourage the Congress to stand firm on those ideals. It is solid legislation like this that will help recover our economy quickly.”
