Schantz Home Improvement Co. News

Roofing Contractors in Atlanta reviews

cspeedy — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:04:32 +0000

Over 50 reviews about Schantz Home Improvement work in Atlanta are now in Kudzu, with an average overall rating of 4.5 stars. Schantz reviews include gutters, rook leak repairs, siding and windows. Have you added yours?

Kudzu gives you honest, uncensored feedback on businesses from homeowners just like you.

What is EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule?

cspeedy — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 00:48:53 +0000

Atlanta Georgia contractors need to comply with new residential renovation EPA rules by April 2010. Â The EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule was created for common renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition. They can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to adults and children.

To protect against this risk, on April 22, 2008, EPA issued aÂ rule requiring the use of lead-safe practices and other actions aimed at preventing lead poisoning. Under the rule, beginning in April 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.

The RRP Rule requires that renovators are trained in the use of lead safe work practices, that renovators and firms be certified, that providers of renovation training be accredited, and that renovators follow specific work practice standards.

Does the RRP Rule apply to installing replacement windows, in other words, removing the old sash and installing a new vinyl window in the opening, without sawing or sanding? Yes.Â Â Window replacement does NOT qualify for the minor repair or maintenance exception.

Schantz Home Improvement strictly follows all local and federal regulations. Appropriate personnel and subcontractors, if applicable, will all be in compliance with the new rule by the deadline.

Vytex windows review by Atlanta contractor

cspeedy — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:35:55 +0000

Most of the major brands offer a good energy efficient window, so letting your contractor help you choose a brand can be very helpful. Schantz Home Improvement has agreements with major windows suppliers, including Vytex. An estimator will consider your home type, home age, interior aspects, budget, window price to value, manufacturer promotions and other factors in helping you make a choice.

Vytex windows and doors are a good solid quality brand suitable for replacing windows doors in the Atlanta metro area.

Vytex offers windows that qualify for an energy tax credit.
Never needs painting.
Insulated glass AND frame; 3 levels of glass insulation to choose from.
Secure and durable with welded frames.
Over 25 window frame and door colors to choose from.

We don’t recommend cheap windows because you’ll pay for it with higher energy bills and outside noise that can be annoying with the high traffic in Atlanta.

list of Comfortline energy star rebate windows

cspeedy — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:30:24 +0000

Download the complete list of Comfortline windows eligible for up to $1500 in energy tax credits. Comfortline leads the industry for fiberframe and pultruded fiberglass windows and doors.

Comfortline windows eligible for tax credits and manufacturers certificate (PDF download)

list of windows eligible for tax credits

cspeedy — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 15:30:24 +0000

Download the complete list of Alside windows eligible for up to $1500 in energy tax credits as part of the stimulus bill known as The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009. Alside is a leading manufacturer of vinyl siding and accessories, vinyl windows and patio doors, and fencing and railing products for the residential and commercial remodeling and new construction markets.

Alside windows eligible for tax credits (PDF download)

Manufacturers certificate for certified windows for energy tax credit (PDF download)

Atlanta replacement window tax credits

cspeedy — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:46:43 +0000

How can the ENERGY TAX CREDIT benefit your home improvement project?

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed a stimulus bill (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) that includes tax credit incentives for homeowners who make energy-efficient home improvements.

The approved bill gives homeowners the ability to obtain a tax credit of 30 percent of the cost of qualifying energy-efficient windows and doors to a maximum of $1,500 per household for 2009 and 2010. The new Energy Tax Credit provides a significant increase from what was previously available under a similar bill. Requirements include:

The windows purchased must be equal to or below a U-Factor of 0.30 and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of 0.30.
The purchase of the qualified windows must be made during the taxable year for which the credit is being claimed.
The tax credit is allowable only for qualified window units placed in service in 2009 and 2010.
To apply for the tax credit, homeowners must provide receipt of purchase, NFRC labels, and the manufacturer’s certification statement, as well as all window labels and stickers.

Qualifying Replacement Window Products are offered by Schantz Home Improvement Company.

Windows and doors must meet a high level of energy-efficiency to qualify for this tax credit and the cost usually exceeds the tax credits available.

President Obama’s incentives are outlined on the Energy Star web site
Rebates and Tax Credits for Windows, Doors, and Skylights.

Are installation costs covered by the tax credits?

cspeedy — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:13:47 +0000

Installation costs ARE COVERED for:

HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems
Water Heaters (including solar)
Solar Panels
Geothermal Heat Pumps
Wind Energy Systems
Fuel Cells

The tax credit for HVAC and non-solar water heaters is 30% of the cost plus installation costs, up to $1,500. The law specifies installation costs include: “expenditures for labor costs properly allocable to the onsite preparation, assembly, or original installation of the property.”

The tax credit for solar water heaters, solar panels, geothermal heat pumps, wind energy systems, and fuel cells is 30% of the cost plus installation costs, with no upper limit. The law specifies installation costs include: “labor costs properly allocable to the onsite preparation, assembly, or original installation of the property and for piping or wiring to interconnect such property to the home.”

Installation costs are NOT covered by the tax credit for:

Windows
Doors
Insulation
Roofs
The tax credit for windows, doors, insulation and roofs is for 30% of the cost of materials, up to $1,500.

What tax credits were available in 2008 for energy efficiency home improvements?

cspeedy — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:07:46 +0000

The only energy efficiency improvements that are eligible for a tax credit in 2008 are:

geothermal heat pumps (30%, up to $2,000)
solar water heaters (30%, up to $2,000)
solar panels (30%, up to $2,000)
small wind energy systems (30%, up to $4,000)
fuel cells (30%, up to $1500 per .5 kW of power capacity)

You need to file IRS Tax Form 5695 with your 2008 taxes to claim this credit.

Tax credits for windows, doors, insulation, HVAC, and non-solar water heaters (that were available in 2006 & 2007) are NOT available for products installed in 2008, but they are again eligible for products installed in 2009 and 2010.

Tax credits for 2009 home improvements including windows and doors

How has the new Stimulus bill affected tax credits for energy efficient home improvements?

cspeedy — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:05:51 +0000

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, but the requirements for windows has been increased significantly. Not all ENERGY STAR qualified windows will qualify.

Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency : Energy Star

cspeedy — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:05:50 +0000

Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency are available in Atlanta Georgia immediately. Schantz Home Improvement will help guide you through your options for home improvement projects that include tax credits and or energy savings. Updated March 2009:

Tax Credits for Consumers
- Tax credits are available at 30% of the cost, up to $1,500, in 2009 & 2010 (for existing homes only) for:
  - Windows and Doors
  - Insulation
  - Roofs (Metal and Asphalt)
  - HVAC
  - Water Heaters (non-solar)
  - Biomass Stoves
- Tax credits are available at 30% of the cost, with no upper limit through 2016 (for existing homes & new construction) for:
  - Geothermal Heat Pumps
  - Solar Panels
  - Solar Water Heaters
  - Small Wind Energy Systems
  - Fuel Cells

** 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.

Tax Credits for Consumers:

Home Improvements

Tax credits are now available for home improvements:

must be “placed in service” from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010
must be for taxpayer’s principal residence
$1,500 is the maximum total amount that can be claimed for all products placed in service in 2009 & 2010 for most home improvements, EXCEPT for geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, solar panels, fuel cells, and windmills which are not subject to this cap, and are in effect through 2016
must have a Manufacturer Certification Statement³ to qualify
for record keeping, save your receipts and the Manufacturer Certification Statement³
improvements made in 2009 will be claimed on your 2009 taxes (filed by April 15, 2010) â€” use IRS Tax Form 5695 (2009 version) â€” it will be available late 2009 or early 2010
If you are building a new home, you can qualify for the tax credit for geothermal heat pumps, photovoltaics, solar water heaters, small wind systems and fuel cells, but not the tax credits for windows, doors, insulation, roofs, HVAC, or non-solar water heaters. More.

SUMMARY OF TAX CREDITS FOR HOMEOWNERS

Product Category	Product Type	Tax Credit Specification	Tax Credit	Notes
Windows & Doors	Exterior Windows and Skylights	U factor <= 0.30SHGC <= 0.30	30% of cost, up to $1,500²	Not all ENERGY STAR labeled windows and skylights qualify for tax credit.
	Storm Windows	Meets IECC¹ in combination with the exterior window over which it is installed, for the applicable climate zone	30% of cost, up to $1,500²	Manufacturer Certification Statement³ will list classes of exterior window (single pane, clear glass, double pane, low-E coating, etc.) that a product may be combined with to be eligible in specific climate zones.
	Exterior Doors	U factor <= 0.30SHGC <= 0.30	30% of cost, up to $1,500²	Not all ENERGY STAR doors will qualify.
	Storm Doors	In combination with a wood door assigned a default U-factor by the IECC¹, and does not exceed the default U-factor requirement assigned to such combination by the IECC	30% of cost, up to $1,500²
Roofing	Metal Roofs, Asphalt Roofs	ENERGY STAR qualified	30% of cost, up to $1,500²	All ENERGY STAR metal and asphalt roofs qualify for the tax credit.Must be expected to last 5 years OR have a 2 year warranty.
Insulation	Insulation	Meets 2009 IECC & Amendments	30% of cost, up to $1,500²	For insulation to qualify, its primary purpose must be to insulate. (example: vapor retarders are covered, insulated siding does not qualify).Must be expected to last 5 years OR have a 2 year warranty
HVAC	Central A/C	Split Systems: EER >=13 SEER >= 16Package systems: EER >= 12 SEER >= 14	30% of cost, up to $1,500²	For a list of qualified products, go to the Consortium for Energy Efficiency product directory , click on Air Conditioners, then in the “CEE Tier” enter “Residential Advanced Tier 3″ for CAC Split Systems, and “Residential Tier 2″ for CAC Package Systems and ASHPs.Note â€” not all ENERGY STAR products will qualify for the tax credit.
	Air Source Heat Pumps	Split Systems: HSPF >= 8.5 EER >= 12.5 SEER >= 15Package systems: HSPF >= 8 EER >= 12 SEER >= 14	30% of cost, up to $1,500²
	Natural Gas or Propane Furnace	AFUE >= 95	30% of cost, up to $1,500²	For a list of qualifying products go to the Gas Appliance Manufacturing Association Not all ENERGY STAR products will qualify for the tax credit.
	Oil Furnace	AFUE >= 90	30% of cost, up to $1,500²
	Gas, Propane, or Oil Hot Water Boiler	AFUE >= 90	30% of cost, up to $1,500²
	Advanced Main Air Circulating Fan	No more than 2% of furnace total energy use	30% of cost, up to $1,500²
Water Heaters	Gas, Oil, Propane Water Heater	Energy Factor >= 0.82 or a thermal efficiency of at least 90%.	30% of cost, up to $1,500²	Not all ENERGY STAR gas storage and gas condensing water heaters will qualify for the tax credit. All ENERGY STAR gas tankless models will qualify. All ENERGY STAR gas tankless water heaters will qualify. For a partial list of qualifying products go to the Air Conditioning, Heating, and refrigeration Institute (AHRI)
Water Heaters	Electric Heat Pump Water Heater	Same criteria as ENERGY STAR: Energy Factor >= 2.0	30% of cost, up to $1,500²	All ENERGY STAR electric heat pump water heaters qualify for the tax credit.
Biomass Stove	Biomass Stove	Stove which burns biomass fuel⁴ to heat a home or heat water.Thermal efficiency rating of at least 75% as measured using a lower heating value.	30% of cost, up to $1,500²
Geo-Thermal Heat Pump	Geo-Thermal Heat Pump	Same criteria as ENERGY STAR:Closed Loop: EER >= 14.1 COP >= 3.3 Open Loop: EER >= 16.2 COP >= 3.6 Direct Expansion: EER >= 15 COP >= 3.5	30% of the cost	All ENERGY STAR geo-thermal heat pumps qualify for the tax credit. Use IRS Form 5695 Must be “placed into service” before December 31, 2016.
Solar Energy Systems	Solar Water Heating	At least half of the energy generated by the “qualifying property” must come from the sun. Homeowners may only claim spending on the solar water heating system property, not the entire water heating system of the household.The credit is not available for expenses for swimming pools or hot tubs. The water must be used in the dwelling. The system must be certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC).	30% of cost	All ENERGY STAR solar water heaters qualify for the tax credit.Use IRS Form 5695 Must be placed in service before December 31, 2016.
Solar Energy Systems	Photovoltaic Systems	Photovoltaic systems must provide electricity for the residence, and must meet applicable fire and electrical code requirement.	30% of cost	Use IRS Form 5695 Must be placed in service before December 31, 2016.
Small Wind Energy Systems	Residential Small Wind Energy Systems		30% of cost	Use IRS Form 5695 Must be placed in service before December 31, 2016.
Fuel Cells	Residential Fuel Cell and microturbine system	Efficiency of at least 30% and must have a capacity of at least 0.5 kW.	30% of the cost, up to $1500 per .5 kW of power capacity	Use IRS Form 5695 Must be placed in service before December 31, 2016.
Cars	Hybrid gasoline-electric, diesel, battery-electric, alternative fuel, and fuel cell vehicles		Based on a formula determined by vehicle weight, technology, and fuel economy compared to base year models	There is a 60,000 vehicle limit per manufacturer before a phase-out period begins. Toyota and Honda have already been phased out. Credit is still available for Ford, GM and Nissan.For more information visit: Fueleconomy.gov Use IRS Form 8910 for hybrid vehicles purchased for personal use. Use IRS Form 3800 for hybrid vehicles purchased for business purposes.
Cars	Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles		$2,500â€“$7,500	The first 250,000 vehicles sold get the full tax credit (then it phases out like the hybrid vehicle tax credits).Effective January 1, 2009.

¹Either the 2001 Supplement of the 2000 International Energy Conservation Code or the 2004 Supplement of the 2003 International Energy Conservation Code.

²Subject to a $1,500 maximum per homeowner for all improvements combined.

³A Manufacturer’s Certification is a signed statement from the manufacturer certifying that the product or component qualifies for the tax credit. The IRS encourages manufacturers to provide these Certifications on their website to facilitate identification of qualified products. Taxpayers must keep a copy of the certification statement for their records, but do not have to submit a copy with their tax return.

⁴Biomass Fuel means any plant-derived fuel available on a renewable or recurring basis, including agricultural crops and trees, wood and wood waste and residues (including wood pellets), plants (including aquatic plants), grasses, residues, and fibers.

The IRS defines “placed in service” as when the property is ready and available for use.