Concerned for our Environmental Health?  I am.  Learn about our environmental responsibilities as they pertain to real estate.  I've provided links to local resources and information below.

Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency

Source:  http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits

ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 2005 — SUMMARY OF TAX CREDITS FOR HOMEOWNERS

Product Category	Product Type	Tax Credit Specification	Tax Credit	Notes
Windows & Doors	Exterior Windows and Skylights	ENERGY STAR qualified OR meets IECC1	10% of cost, up to $2002 for all windows, skylights and storm windows	All ENERGY STAR labeled windows and skylights qualify for tax credit.Learn more about ENERGY STAR qualified windows and skylights. Installation costs are not included. For tax purposes, save your receipt and either the ENERGY STAR label from all your new windows OR the Manufacturer's Certification Statement. Use IRS Form 5695
	Storm Windows	Meets IECC1 in combination with the exterior window over which it is installed, for the applicable climate zone	10% of cost, up to $2002 for all windows, skylights and storm windows	Manufacturer Certification Statement3 will list classes of exterior window (single pane, clear glass, double pane, low-E coating, etc.)4 that a product may be combined with to be eligible in specific climate zones. Installation costs are not included. Manufacturer's Certification Statement3 required. For tax purposes, save your receipt and the Manufacturer's Certification Statement. Use IRS Form 5695
	Exterior Doors	Meets IECC1	10% of cost, up to $5002	ENERGY STAR doors will almost always qualify, except for certain parts of California4. Learn more about ENERGY STAR qualified doors. Installation costs are not included. Manufacturer's Certification Statement3 required. For tax purposes, save your receipt and the Manufacturer's Certification Statement. Use IRS Form 5695
	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	10% of cost, up to $5002	Eligibility will be confirmed by manufacturer and documented in the Manufacturer Certification Statement3 Installation costs are not included. Manufacturer's Certification Statement3 required. For tax purposes, save your receipt and the Manufacturer's Certification Statement. Use IRS Form 5695
Roofing	Metal Roofs	ENERGY STAR qualified	10% of cost, up to $5002	All ENERGY STAR labeled metal roofs qualify for the tax credit. Must be expected to last 5 years OR have a 2 year warranty. Installation costs are not included. Manufacturer's Certification Statement3 required. For tax purposes, save your receipt and the Manufacturer's Certification Statement. Use IRS Form 5695
Insulation	Insulation	Meets 2000 IECC & Amendments	10% of cost, up to $5002	For insulation to qualify, its primary purpose must be to insulate. (example: vapor retarders are covered, siding does not qualify). Must be expected to last 5 years OR have a 2 year warranty Installation costs are not included. Manufacturer's Certification Statement3 required. For tax purposes, save your receipt and the Manufacturer's Certification Statement. Use IRS Form 5695
HVAC	Central A/C	Split Systems: EER >=12.5 SEER >= 15 Package systems: EER >= 12 SEER >= 14	$3002	For a list of qualified products, go to the Consortium for Energy Efficiency product directory , click on the Air Conditioners and in the “CEE Tier” enter “Residential Tier 2.” Note — not all ENERGY STAR products will qualify for the tax credit. ENERGY STAR specification: Split Systems: EER >= 11.5 & SEER >= 14 Package systems: EER >= 11 & SEER >= 14 Manufacturer's Certification Statement3 required. For tax purposes, save your receipt and the Manufacturer's Certification Statement. Use IRS Form 5695
	Air Source Heat Pumps	HSPF >= 9 EER >= 13 SEER >= 15	$300²	Note — not all ENERGY STAR products will qualify for the tax credit. ENERGY STAR specification: Split systems: HSPF >= 8.2 & EER >= 11.5 & SEER >= 14 Package systems: HSPF >= 8 & EER >= 11 & SEER >= 14 Manufacturer’s Certification Statement³ required. For tax purposes, save your receipt and the Manufacturer's Certification Statement. Use IRS Form 5695
	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	$3002	All ENERGY STAR labeled geo-thermal heat pumps qualify for the tax credit. Manufacturer's Certification Statement3 required. For tax purposes, save your receipt and the Manufacturer's Certification Statement. Use IRS Form 5695
	Gas, Oil, Propane Furnace or Hot Water Boiler	Furnaces: AFUE >= 95 Boiler: AFUE >= 95	$1502	For a list of qualifying products go to the Gas Appliance Manufacturing Association Note — not all ENERGY STAR products will qualify for the tax credit. ENERGY STAR specification: Furances: AFUE >= 90 Boilers: AFUE >= 85 Manufacturer's Certification Statement3 required. For tax purposes, save your receipt and the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement. Use IRS Form 5695
	Advanced Main Air Circulating Fan	No more than 2% of furnace total energy use	$502	For a partial list of qualifying products go to the Gas Appliance Manufacturing Association Manufacturer's Certification Statement3 required. For tax purposes, save your receipt and the Manufacturer's Certification Statement. Use IRS Form 5695
Water Heaters	Gas, Oil, Propane Water Heater	Energy Factor >= 0.80	$3002	Only some tankless water heaters currently qualify. This is over 33% more efficient than the current federal standard. For a partial list of qualifying products go to the Gas Appliance Manufacturing Association . Manufacturer's Certification Statement3 required. For tax purposes, save your receipt and the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement. Use IRS Form 5695
	Electric Heat Pump Water Heater	Energy Factor >= 2.0	$3002	This is more than twice as efficient as the current federal standard. Manufacturer's Certification Statement3 required. For tax purposes, save your receipt and the Manufacturer's Certification Statement. Use IRS Form 5695
Cars	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	Guidance for auto manufacturers is available from IRS. There is a 60,000 vehicle limit per manufacturer before a phase-out period begins. Consumers who buy from companies that already sell large numbers of qualifying vehicles will experience a relatively short “window of opportunity” for the credits. Use IRS Form 8910 for hybrid vehicles purchased for personal use. Use IRS Form 3800 for hybrid vehicles purchased for business purposes.
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, up to $2,000	Use IRS Form 5695
	Photovoltaic Systems	Photovoltaic systems must provide electricity for the residence, and must meet applicable fire and electrical code requirement.	30% of cost, up to $2,000	Use IRS Form 5695
Fuel Cells	Fuel Cells	Efficiency of at least 30% and must have a capacity of at least 0.5 kW.	30% of the cost, up to $1000 per kW of power that can be produced	Use IRS Form 5695

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 $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.

⁴Additional information on exterior window features may be viewed at Anatomy of an Energy Efficient Window.

The Wisconsin Green Building Alliance's (WGBA) mission is to facilitate and promote the development and use of ecologically sustainable materials and practices within Wisconsin's Built environment.

Wisconsin Green Building Alliance provides a variety of resources, including: an annual green building conference, educational forums and site visits to green demonstration projects, a quarterly newsletter and an annual assessment survey to keep abreast of the needs of the industry.

www.wgba.org/

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GREEN BUILT HOME - Green Built Home™ is a national award winning green building initiative that reviews and certifies new homes and remodeling projects that meet sustainable building and energy standards. The program is implemented in partnership with the Madison Area Builders Association in cooperation with other participating builders associations, leading utilities and organizations that promote green building.

www.greenbuilthome.org/builder/index.php

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A building transformation

From the floor joists to the rafters, from the contractor to the community, the concept of "green building" covers every aspect of creating livable places.

Sherrie Gruder

http://www.wnrmag.com/stories/2000/jun00/greenbuild.htm

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Monona Terrace Earns LEED Silver Certification as a Green Convention Center

Madison - Mayor Dave Cieslewicz announced today that Monona Terrace has become one of only a handful of convention centers in the nation to be LEED-certified as a green building. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a national program of the U.S. Green Building Council that sets the benchmark for high performance "green" buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work.

READ MORE HERE:  http://www.cityofmadison.com/news/view.cfm?news_id=524

I will continue to find and post information and links to resources so we can all help keep our world environmentally healthy.  If you have something you'd like posted here, please feel free to contact me.  Have a beautiful day!

~ Jennifer Owens

When It Comes to Remodeling, It’s What’s Outside That Counts, Realtors® Report

WASHINGTON, December 03, 2007 -  Many buyers judge a house by its exterior, or so it seems from the results of the 2007 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report. Three of the four projects with the highest national percentage of costs recouped this year were exterior upgrades. The most profitable project on the national level was upscale siding replacement, recouping 88 percent of costs upon resale. Wood deck additions and wood window replacements also returned more than 80 percent of costs, at 85 percent and 81 percent, respectively. On a national average, the only interior project to return more than 80 percent of remodeling costs this year was a minor kitchen remodel, returning 83 percent of project costs at resale. “The results of this year’s Cost vs. Value report underscore the importance of curb appeal in the buyer’s eye,” said NAR President Dick Gaylord, a broker with RE/MAX Real Estate Specialists in Long Beach, Calif. “Realtors® know what attracts buyers in their local markets and can help your house put its best façade forward, so to speak – it’s another way Realtors® add value to the real estate transaction.” The 2007 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report compares construction costs with resale values for 29 midrange and upscale remodeling projects comprising additions, remodels and replacements in 60 markets across the country. Data are provided for nine U.S. regions, following the divisions established by the U.S. Census Bureau. This is the 10th consecutive year that the report, which is produced by Hanley Wood, LLC, was completed in cooperation with REALTOR® Magazine, as Realtors® provided their insight into local markets and buyer home preferences within those markets. Four new projects were added this year: the aforementioned wood deck addition, a back-up power generator, and both a midrange and upscale garage addition. Nationally, the back-up power generator only returned 58 percent of the investment on resale, although the return was highest in the West South Central region, which comprises Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas, at 68 percent. Buyers in the Pacific region of Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington value their garages: The midrange garage addition returned nearly 70 percent nationally but 88 percent in this region, while the upscale garage addition returned approximately 65 percent nationally but 78 percent in this area. Homeowners in the Pacific region could also expect to see some of the highest percentages of remodeling expenses returned at resale, with 13 of the 29 projects returning 90 percent or higher of project costs. Homeowners in the East North Central region of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin might expect some of the lowest returns; only one project – upscale fiber cement siding – returned more than 80 percent upon resale (82 percent of costs recouped), while nine projects returned less than 60 percent of project costs. The least profitable projects were a back-up power generator, sunroom addition, and home office remodel. The back-up power generator returned the lowest percentage of initial cost in the East North Central, New England (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont), Pacific, and West North Central (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota) regions. Sunrooms are least popular in the East South Central (Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee), Mountain (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico and Wyoming), and West South Central regions. Home office remodels return the lowest percentage of project costs in the Middle Atlantic (New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania) and South Atlantic (Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia) regions. Gaylord explained that the resale value of any given remodeling project depends on a variety of factors. “When considering a remodeling project, particularly with an eye toward resale, it’s important to evaluate your home’s current condition, how the project will change the existing space in your home, as well as how your remodeled home will compare to other homes in your community,” said Gaylord. “For example, using a breakfast nook to expand the kitchen seems like a good use of space, but using the same space to add a first-floor bathroom in an older home that doesn’t have one will draw more buyers,” Gaylord said. “Realtors® see hundreds, if not thousands, of homes every year with their buyer clients and can provide valuable insight into what projects and improvements will make a difference with buyers in your area.” Results of the report are summarized in the December 2007 issue of REALTOR® Magazine. To read the full project descriptions, access national and regional project data, and download a free PDF containing data for any of the 60 cities covered by the report, visit www.costvsvalue.com. “Cost vs. Value” is a registered trademark of Hanley Wood, LLC. Hanley Wood, LLC, is the premier media company serving housing and construction. Through four operating divisions, the company produces award-winning magazines and Web sites, marquee trade shows and events, rich data, and custom marketing solutions. The company also is North America’s leading provider of home plans. Founded in 1976, Hanley Wood is a $240 million company owned by JPMorgan Partners, LLC, a private equity affiliate of JPMorgan Chase & Co. The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing more than 1.3 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.                                                                      ###