Tax Credits for Storm Windows and Storm Doors

Tax Credits for Storm Windows and Storm Doors

By: Gil Rudawsky
Published: January 7, 2011
Stormy weather needn’t be your theme song if you got storm windows (and a tax credit) in 2010. If not, take heart: There’s a smaller credit for 2011.

If you didn’t take the credit and the wind is whistling through your house, you’re sorta out of luck. This year’s credit, available only to those who didn’t take advantage of the 2009-2010 program, is a fraction of last year’s:

• For storm doors, up to a $500 credit.

• For storm windows, up to a $200 credit.

• Installation costs aren’t covered.

Tax credits limits and deadlines:

• 10% of expenditures, up to $500 for the year, for all energy improvements combined.

• Install the relevant doors and windows by Dec. 31, 2011.

• Save receipts and each manufacturer’s certification statement, which is used to find qualifying products.

The official Energy Star site has posted new guidelines on what exactly is covered. It’s your safest bet for information on how to get the credit.

Don’t rely solely on contractors who may not know the details or who promise their products will get the credit in order to make a sale.

Storm windows: A value beyond tax breaks

• Much less expensive than full replacement windows and doors

• Easier to install, while giving comparable energy savings to new windows and doors

Storm windows make the most sense if your home has single-pane windows. They’re designed to fit in existing openings, on either the inside or outside, and newer models open and close. 

The insulation gain from storm windows is nearly identical to most energy-efficient, double-pane windows, says Chris Dorsi, author of The Homeowner’s Handbook to Energy Efficiency.

Storm window savings and payback

Like replacement windows, storm windows can save you about 15% to 40% on energy bills, or from $126 to $465 a year. That’s assuming a 2,000-square-foot home with single-pane windows, according to the Efficient Windows Collaborative.  

If you live in a colder climate, you’ll see savings closer to the top end of the range. Since storm windows are cheaper than replacement windows but the energy savings are similar, the payback period for storm windows should be a lot shorter.

Compare storm windows with regular windows:

Window Type	Cost	Installation Time
Regular windows	Between $500 and $1,000, installed, per tax credit-eligible replacement window	2-3 days
Storm windows	Between $100 and $300, installed	1-2 days

Storm door facts:

• Costs about $200 to $300 apiece.

• Allows air flow between the inside and outside when the weather is nice, assuming it’s equipped with a retractable or interchangeable screen.

• Energy saving is minimal because storm doors make up such a small percentage of a home’s total exterior compared with windows.

Storm windows vs. replacement windows

1. You get more bang for your buck with storm windows if you live in a colder climate. Keeping heat in and drafts out adds up in energy savings.

In warm climates, storm windows’ benefits are more limited unless they’re made of reflective glass that deflects the sun’s rays, says Adam Winter, co-founder of Recurve, a San Francisco company that does home energy audits and green remodeling.
2. Storm windows may not provide as much of a return at resale, says Mark Meshulam, author of the Chicago Window Expert blog:

• Not as attractive as replacement windows.

• Less convenient since you need to open two windows to get fresh air.

• More prone to moisture problems.

Vinyl replacement windows recoup about 72% of their cost at resale, according to Remodeling Magazine’s 2010-11 Cost vs. Value Report. The magazine doesn’t track storm windows.
This article provides general information about tax laws and consequences, but is not intended to be relied upon by readers as tax or legal advice applicable to particular transactions or circumstances. Readers should consult a tax professional for such advice, and are reminded that tax laws may vary by jurisdiction.
Gil Rudawsky has been covering business and consumer issues as a reporter and an editor for 18 years, most recently as a deputy editor at the Rocky Mountain News. He lives in a house built in the 1930s, and always keeps the home’s character in mind when making upgrades

To purchase Austin, Houston, or Colorado Real Estate feel free to contact Austin, Houston, & Colorado Realtor, Zachary Miller at Miller & Associates:  12400 W Hwy 71 Austin, TX 78738  800.965.3013 x 1 for immediate assistance.