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Garage Door Replacement Tax Incentives
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The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which changes several provisions in the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 (HR 1424), entitles homeowners a tax credit for qualified energy saving improvements they put in place on their primary residence. Included in the approved products are qualified garage doors.The tax credit equals 30% of the product price up to $1500. The credit applies to the product purchase only and does not include labor. The maximum credit of $1500 is for any and all combined qualified products for the home including windows, entry doors and garage doors. The qualified improvements must be installed on an existing home between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010.
Changes in the new policy state that insulated residential garage doors must have a U-Factor equal to or less than 0.30. Additional requirements include:
The garage door is installed on the taxpayer’s primary residence.
The garage door must be installed on an insulated garage.
There must be a perimeter seal (door stop) used as a means to control air infiltration.
The garage door must be installed in 2009 or 2010.
The garage door is expected to remain in service for at least five years.
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Tax credit information
Lead-Safe Paint Rules
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Special notice about lead paint
EPA mandated lead paint rules are now in place and virtually every trade that is involved in home renovation of all kinds must be certified to test pre-1978 homes for the presence of lead paint or assume the paint is leaded. We have a certified lead renovator on staff and our company is listed as a certified renovation firm. If lead paint is found on a surface affected by a renovation in amounts of more than 6 sq ft in an interior room and 20 sq ft on the exterior of a residence, specific work procedures to minimize dust must be used. There was a limited window of time during which a homeowner could opt out of utilization of the required containment protocols if there was no pregnant female or child 6 or younger residing there or visiting for more than 60 hours per year. We have received several interpretations regarding application of the rule to replacement of garage doors, and the interpretations by the EPA representatives are conflicting. Tools required to comply with the EPA rules are not yet being manufactured, at least that we can find. When the opt-out period is over, Hobbs Door Service will not be removing doors or doorstop materials that test positive for lead paint. We are waiting for the EPA to publish clear guidelines specifically for garage door removal, or to approve a protocol presented by the International Door Association or other such industry group. However, if a residential site does not have a garage door at all, or if the door there was installed after 1978 and there is proof of that, there is no violation of any applicable standard. The vast majority of service and repair work is NOT affected by the new rules since repairs generally do not disturb the allowable 6 sq ft of interior surface. An individual homeowner may perform renovation and demolition procedures, including that of garage door removal, without certification and documentation if he or she wishes. However, it is prudent to contain dust and byproducts. There are different rules that apply to emergency situations following an accident or natural disaster such as wind or flood damage, where securing the structure is imperative. Such incidents must be reviewed on a case by case basis to ensure EPA compliance. However, doors which are broken or failing due to age, use, or neglect would not be exempt. Additionally, if a door was originally painted with lead-based paint, then was later painted over with a non-lead-based paint, it is still considered to be a hazard and must be removed according to the lead-safe methods. It is estimated that 25% of the 1960-1977 residences contain some lead paint, and half from 1940-1960. For additional information, please go to the EPA website.
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