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March 22, 2009 12:44 p.m. Hal HalfDork

As part of the Economic Stimulus package, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 modifies and extends federal tax credits for eligible building components that improve energy efficiency. To be eligible, windows, doors and skylights must have both a U-Factor equal to or less than 0.30 and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) equal to or less than 0.30. The credit is for 30% of the material cost up to $1500

The wife and I have been talking about replacing some of our windows for a couple years. After hearing about this tax credit we went to the local Home Show yesterday. Two hours of walking around netted us 10 lbs. of brochures and 3 appointments for estimates.

I have spent about 6 hours last night and this morning reading the brochures and researching on the Internet.

So far I have not found any double hung replacement windows that will qualify for the tax credit. I found plenty of windows with ratings of 0.31 or 0.32 but not 0.30 or less. The berkeleying feel-gooders made sure that the requirements are just enough tougher than the EnergyStar requirement that no one makes windows that qualify.
March 22, 2009 1:06 p.m. ignorant SuperDork

Hal wrote: The berkeleying feel-gooders made sure that the requirements are just enough tougher than the EnergyStar requirement that no one makes windows that qualify.

calm down.. They'll be on the market soon enough. You're looking a gift horse in the mouth.
March 22, 2009 4:50 p.m. Hal HalfDork

ignorant wrote: They'll be on the market soon enough.

Probably at a higher price.

MY problem is that the government keeps coming up with stuff like this, the mortgage help, etc. that make them look like their are working to help people. When the reality is that it is written in such a way that damm few people qualify.

A bunch of "feel good" legislation. Can't wait to see how they manage to screw up health care. i went on Medicare late last year. So now my health insurance costs more and covers less.
March 22, 2009 7:13 p.m. ignorant SuperDork

I have a slightly different perspective. By legislating a higher efficiency glass you will save more money in the long run and overall we will be a more efficient country that uses less oil and coal.
March 22, 2009 7:50 p.m. porksboy HalfDork

ignorant wrote:

I have a slightly different perspective. By legislating a higher efficiency glass you will save more money in the long run and overall we will be a more efficient country that uses less oil and coal.

Aww, go hug a tree just kidding. Seriously, I think our esteemed imoerialistic government has more important things they should be doing and spending my $$ on.
March 22, 2009 7:52 p.m. MrJoshua SuperDork

ignorant wrote:

I have a slightly different perspective. By legislating a higher efficiency glass you will save more money in the long run and overall we will be a more efficient country that uses less oil and coal.

And step by step the buy in to a "Normal Life" gets more out of reach.
March 22, 2009 8:21 p.m. ignorant SuperDork

MrJoshua wrote:

ignorant wrote:

I have a slightly different perspective. By legislating a higher efficiency glass you will save more money in the long run and overall we will be a more efficient country that uses less oil and coal.

And step by step the buy in to a "Normal Life" gets more out of reach.

As the technology becomes more mass produced the price will come down. On the other hand, I am inately aware of the massive technology gaps now developing inside our society.
March 22, 2009 8:35 p.m. ignorant SuperDork

porksboy wrote:

ignorant wrote:

I have a slightly different perspective. By legislating a higher efficiency glass you will save more money in the long run and overall we will be a more efficient country that uses less oil and coal.

Aww, go hug a tree just kidding. Seriously, I think our esteemed imoerialistic government has more important things they should be doing and spending my $$ on.

don't worry.. they'll get the money from industry through cap and trade.. wait won't that come from us through higher product prices..

I know both sides of the coin, but I do feel like we need to move in the direction of less energy use and impact to the environment; sometimes the immediate costs seem to not justify the long term gain.. We'll only really know if it was worth while in a 100 years or so.
March 22, 2009 11:37 p.m. ww Dork

ignorant wrote: We'll only really know if it was worth while in a 100 years or so.

I CAN'T WAIT!!! Should I hold my breath?
March 23, 2009 8:49 a.m. Xceler8x HalfDork

MrJoshua wrote:

And step by step the buy in to a "Normal Life" gets more out of reach.

I'm not trying to be argumentative..I'm a bit mystified as to what you mean.

Are you saying that it's getting more and more expensive to own a home? That's what you mean by "a normal life"? This bill is raising the cost of a home therefore raising the cost of the "normal life"?

I'm slow sometimes.
March 23, 2009 9:26 a.m. ignorant SuperDork

ww wrote:

ignorant wrote: We'll only really know if it was worth while in a 100 years or so.

I CAN'T WAIT!!! Should I hold my breath?

ohh so I can't see an immediate result we shouldn't do it?

Maybe it would be OK for your wife to drink and smoke while she's pregnant. I mean no immediate benefit to stopping right..... Everyone loves the drunk, high pregnant lady at the party, right?

I can be snarky too.