Consumer Tax Credits Available Again for ENERGY STAR® Qualified Windows and Doors

COLUMBUS, OHIO – On January 1, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was approved, providing federal tax credits for homeowners who made energy efficient upgrades to their homes in 2012 or plan to make such changes in 2013. Simonton Windows has launched a dedicated website page at www.simonton.com/energytaxcredit to provide consumers with details of the tax credits they may be eligible for when installing ENERGY STAR® qualified windows or doors in their homes.

Similar to the stimulus packages of 2009 and 2010, this new act provides incentives for consumers to add energy efficient products to the home. However, the new federal tax credits are significantly lower than the previous tax credits. For 2012 and 2013, homeowners can receive up to 10 percent of the cost of ENERGY STAR qualified windows or doors, up to $500. And, for windows, this caps out at $200.

“The tax credits now in play for energy efficient window and door purchases are an attractive incentive for consumers to purchase replacement windows and doors,” says Gary Pember, vice president of marketing at Simonton Windows. “Our dedicated web page on the credit helps homeowners understand the new tax credits so they can make smart buying decisions.”

The tax credit is retroactive to purchases made starting January 1, 2012 and expires on December 31, 2013. Installation of the product(s) must take place in the homeowner’s principle residence and the credit does not include installation costs. Products must be ENERGY STAR qualified for the region they are installed.

“The new tax credit stipulates that the entire home does not have to have all of its windows and/or doors replaced,” says Pember. “The tax credit can apply to having just a few products replaced in the home to make it more energy efficient. In addition, the tax credit can be issued for both replacement windows and doors; and for installation of a ‘new location’ energy efficient window or door in an area of the home where there previously wasn’t an opening (such as in a home addition or renovation of existing home space). Homeowners should always consult their tax advisor to determine if they qualify for any tax credit.

“Purchasing energy efficient vinyl homes windows that are ENERGY STAR qualified is always a smart choice for a homeowner. Now, home replacement windows can come with the added incentive of federal tax credits when consumers do their research and make sensible buying decisions.”

To apply for the credit, a homeowner must have a copy of their original product receipt and a Manufacturer’s Certification Statement. Simonton’s dedicated website page at www.simonton.com/energytaxcredit provides more information. And, full details on the federal tax credits can be found at the ENERGY STAR web site at http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index .*###About Simonton Windows

Simonton Windows produces ENERGY STAR® qualified replacement and new construction windows and doors, including a line of impact-resistant products. Simonton has been ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Windows and Doors, Three Years in a Row” by J.D. Power and Associates. Simonton was also ranked #1 in quality in the 2012, 2009, 2007, 2002 and 1998 Brand Use Studies sponsored by Builder magazine and has won three Best In Class Awards administered by LBM Journal Research Institute.

Founded in 1946, Simonton’s hallmark has been to deliver the industry’s shortest, most dependable lead-times. Part of Fortune Brands Home & Security (NYSE: FBHS), Simonton delivers award-recognized products to key markets throughout the 48 continental United States and North America. Simonton is a Founding Sponsor of The Weather Museum, a Lifetime Founding Sponsor of the Lead Safe America Foundation, and a supporter of Homes for Our Troops. For information, call (800) SIMONTON (1-800-746-6686) or visit www.simonton.com.

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Simonton Windows received the highest numerical score among window and door manufacturers in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2010-2012 Windows and Patio Doors Satisfaction StudiesSM. 2012 study based on responses from 2,519 consumers measuring 11 brands and measures opinions of consumers who purchased new windows or patio doors in the previous 12 months. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in January – February 2012. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

ENERGY STAR is a government program that helps consumers protect the environment through superior energy efficiency and is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

*Simonton Windows is not a legal or tax advisor. Simonton Windows expressly disclaims any responsibility for determining whether a purchaser will receive the tax credit. Simonton Windows recommends that consumers consult their tax advisors and review IRS guidance, prior to purchasing any window or door product. For further details on the Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit, visit the IRS website.