San Diego Homes Biggest Energy Waster – The Garage Door

It isn’t easy being a homeowner. We’re in the middle of a recession, home prices have fallen, unemployment is over 10%, and everything keeps getting more expensive. Especially the electric bill.

There are lots of tips on how to cut down on the bills, like installing energy efficient light bulbs and installing energy efficient appliances. But one of the bigger energy wasters barely ever gets mentioned – the garage door.

Stop Wasting Energy With Your Garage Door

The walls in your home are built to keep it warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Wood, insulation, sheet rock; these materials help keep the elements out and your home more energy efficient and comfortable. But what about your garage door? It’s basically a giant moving wall. And like your other walls, doors, or windows, it should be insulated and sealed to keep the elements out. But you might be surprised to learn that your door isn’t doing a good job at that.Cheap material, poor insulation, and eroding weather seal are causing your energy bill to climb

Ever feel like you walked into a sauna when going in your garage? It’s because of your garage door. And while most of us don’t care about the temperature in our garage, we do care about the temperature in our house. Any room adjacent to the garage is going to require more energy to heat or cool as the garage is leaching it away. No surprise, energy consumption goes up and so does the monthly bill.

Get a $1,500 Tax Credit

Fortunately Uncle Sam doesn’t want us wasting energy any more than we do. That’s why the U.S. Government is offering tax credits for energy efficient home improvements made through Dec. 31, 2010. You can claim a 30% tax credit on qualifying home improvement costs. A tax credit is more valuable than a tax deduction because it reduces your tax dollar for dollar. That means you can get up to $1,500 back from the government.

How do you identify an eligible garage door? This comprehensive list by garage door manufacturer shows exactly what doors qualify for the tax credit. Simply scroll through the list to find the manufacturer and model number you purchased or are planning to purchase. You can also download the form from the manufacturer to claim your tax credit.

Even with the $1,500 tax credit you may not be sure if you can afford a new door. The folks at Precision Garage Door San Diego can give you a free quote on the doors so you know exactly what your budget needs to be. Now that’s what we call an economic stimulus.

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