From time to time, we compile some of the most frequently asked questions from our clients. We have organized those questions into the following categories:
1. Insurance & Tax discounts (read more)
2. Design characteristics (read more)
3. Testing & Permitting (read more)
4. Cost (read more)
5. Energy Efficiency (read more)
6. Miscellaneous (read more)
7. Technical (read more)
1. INSURANCE & TAX DISCOUNTS
Q: If I install hurricane impact-resistant windows and doors in my house, does this make me eligible for insurance premium discounts?
A: Correct. The
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation assigns discounts for
impact-resistant windows and doors, provided that all of the home's openings are protected. Policyholders with questions concerning mitigation should contact their insurance agents to ensure that proper credit is being received for strengthening the home. According to an article published on Citizen's website, premium discounts of up to 45% can be available to those policyholders who show proof of risk mitigation alternatives. You can access additional information at the
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation website.
Florida statute 627.0629 (regarding residential property insurance) requires all insurance companies, providing homeowner's insurance to Florida residents, to offer some type of discount for dwellings equipped with an effective windstorm protective system. The first paragraph of the statute reads:
Effective June 1, 2002, a rate filing for residential property insurance must include actuarially reasonable discounts, credits, or other rate differentials, or appropriate reductions in deductibles, for properties on which fixtures or construction techniques damonstrated to reduce the amount of loss in a windstorm have been installed or implemented. The fixtures or construction techniques shall include, but not be limited to, fixtures or construction techniques which enhance roof strength, roof covering performance, roof-to-wall strength, wall-to-floor-to-foundation strength, opening protection, and window, door, and skylight strength. Credits, discounts, or other rate differentials for fixtures and construction techniques which meet the minimum requirements of the Florida Building Code must be included in the rate filing. All insurance companies must make a rate filing which includes the credits, discounts, or other rate differentials by February 28, 2003. By July 1, 2007, the office shall re-evaluate the discounts, credits, other rate differentials, and appropriate reductions in deductibles for fixtures and construction techniques that meet the minimum requirements of the Florida Building Code, based upon actual experience or any other loss relativity studies available to the office. The office shall determine the discounts, credits, other rate differentials, and appropriate reductions in deductibles that reflect the full actuarial value of such revaluation, which may be used by insurers in rate filings.
Q: Is a tax credit available for energy efficient windows and doors?
A: Yes, windows and doors do qualify for a tax credit.Reimbursement amount: The government will give you a tax credit for 30% of the cost (not including installation and labor costs), up to $1,500.Effective dates: The tax credit is in effect in 2009 and 2009. The product must be installed in your "primary residence" between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009.
Details: From June 1, 2009 - December 31, 2009
windows and doors must have a U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) less than or equal to 0.30. This is a super efficient product, and most
ENERGY STAR items will not qualify. From January 1 - May 31, 2009 all ENERGY STAR approved windows and doors qualified for the credit. You do not have to replace all the windows in your home to qualify.Find qualified models: You can locate the U-factor and SHGC on the National Fenestration Rating Council (
NFRC) label. NFRC is the only federally-recognized organization for determining window, door and skylight energy performance.How to apply: File Tax Form 5695 with your tax return.
Q: Is a tax credit available for impact windows and doors?
A: Yes,
Impact resistant windows and doors qualify for a tax credit.Reimbursement amount: The government will give you a tax credit for 30% of the cost (not including installation and labor costs), up to $1,500.Effective dates: The tax credit is in effect in 2009 and 2009. The product must be installed in your "primary residence" between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009.
Details:
Storm window. A storm window, in addition to the exterior window over which it is installed:
(a) Has a U-factor and SHGC of 0.30 or below
(b) Meets the prescriptive criteria established by the IECC.
Storm door. A
storm door, in addition to the the exterior door over which it is installed:
(a) Has a U-factor and SHGC of 0.30 or below
(b) Meets the prescriptive criteria established by the IECC.
Findig qualified models: The best method for finding qualifyied
storm windows/doors is to simply ask your retailer to provide the Manufacturer's Certification Statement for the products to be purchased or search the Manufacturer's website.
Applying: File Tax form 5695 along with your tax return.
CHOOSING A WINDOW CONTRACTOR
