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Making the Most of Residential Energy Efficiency Federal Tax Credits Included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

Posted on: Monday, 23 February 2009, 10:36 CST

VALLEY FORGE, Pa., Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The newly reinstated federal tax credits for residential energy efficiency makes 2009 the perfect time for American homeowners to evaluate their homes. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), which was signed into law on Feb. 18, 2009, homeowners can receive up to $1500 in tax credits for investments in insulation, exterior doors and windows.

By maximizing a home's efficiency, homeowners can reduce their utility bills and ultimately lessen their impact on the environment. According to the ENERGY STAR(R) program, ensuring adequate insulation and proper air sealing and caulking can save homeowners up to 20 percent on utility bills. Coupled with the residential energy efficiency tax credits, this can add up to a healthy return on investment.

Drawing from more than 50 years of experience insulating homes throughout the United States, CertainTeed Insulation offers the following tips and advice:

-- Conduct a home energy audit. An auditor can pinpoint areas where your home loses valuable energy and can suggest ways to conserve heating fuel, hot water and electricity. Visit energystar.gov to locate an auditor in your area.

-- Stay on top of rising energy costs. Plan ahead and don't get blind sided by high utility bills. Organizations like the Alliance to Save Energy, ase.org, offer tools that project upcoming energy costs in your state.

-- Know the recommended R-value in your area. In simple terms, R-value is a measure of the insulating power of insulation. Colder climates require a higher R-value to ensure a comfortable, energy efficient home. To determine the right R-value for your area, visit the U.S. Department of Energy website at doe.gov.

-- Choose the right insulation for the right area of a home. For example, blow-in insulation, such as InsulSafe(R) SP Premium Blowing Wool, provides uniform coverage that won't settle and is perfect for attic areas. Fiberglass batt insulation is a popular option for walls and in below-grade areas, such as unfinished basements. Visit certainteed.com to find a local contractor that can help determine the best solution for your home.

-- Consider the "big picture." Proper home insulation equates to less energy usage. Ultimately, this means less fossil fuel is burned to produce energy, resulting in a reduction of polluting gases emitted into the atmosphere. Considering the average home causes the emission of more than twice as much carbon dioxide -- the principle greenhouse gas -- as the average car, home insulation can go a long way reducing the impact on the environment.

CertainTeed offers a comprehensive line of insulation products, including time-tested and trusted fiberglass insulation batts and rolls, fiberglass blow-in insulation, polyurethane spray foam, innovative vapor retarder technology, as well as highly regarded HVAC products. All of CertainTeed's insulation products can help building professionals qualify toward credits for both the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED(R)) through the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the National Association of Home Builders' Green Building (NAHB) Program.

For more information or to find a qualified contractor in your area, visit certainteed.com.

To learn more about the ARRA, visit certainteed.com/energypolicyact or the Internal Revenue Service website at irs.gov.

Images, product samples and industry comment are available upon request. To speak to an insulation expert, contact Mike Loughery of CertainTeed Corporation at mike.b.loughery@saint-gobain.com or 610-341-7328.

About CertainTeed

Through innovation and creative product design, CertainTeed has helped shape the building products industry for more than 100 years. Founded in 1904 as General Roofing Manufacturing Company, the firm made its slogan "Quality Made Certain, Satisfaction Guaranteed," which quickly inspired the name CertainTeed. Today, CertainTeed(R) is North America's leading brand of exterior and interior building products, including roofing, siding, windows, fence, decking, railing, trim, foundations, pipe, insulation, gypsum, ceilings and access covers.

Headquartered in Valley Forge, Pa., CertainTeed and its affiliates have more than 6,000 employees and more than 65 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Canada. In 2008 the group had total sales of more than $3 billion. www.certainteed.com

SOURCE CertainTeed Corporation

Source: PR Newswire

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