THE SYSTOCRAT PAPERS

Fellow Systocrats:

The following article was forwarded to TSP by the Mesothelioma Cancer Center. 

On February 17, 2009, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was signed into law by President Obama. The new law includes extensions of the Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives first enacted in 2005 as well as some new tax credits for people building or remodeling their homes using eco-friendly or “green” materials.

Existing homes are eligible for a series of efficiency measures that pertain to the home shell (insulation, windows, sealing) worth 30% of the installed cost (materials only, labor is not included in the credit basis). Homeowners can get tax credits for:

• Replacement windows and skylights, and exterior doors which are equal to or below a 0.30 U factor and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of 0.30. Storm windows that meet the IECC in combination with their paired external window are eligible (taking into account the applicable climate zone). Storm doors paired with U-factor rated wood doors are eligible provided they do not exceed the default U-factor requirement for the combination. See the 2009 IECC for details.

• Window films certified by the manufacturer that the product meets the requirements of a "qualifying insulation system."

• Sealing cracks in the building shell and ducts to reduce infiltration and heat loss - these should be sealed so as to be consistent with the 2009 IECC.

• Pigmented metal roofs or an asphalt roof with cooling granules must meet Energy Star requirements.

• Added insulation to walls, ceilings, or other parts of the building envelope that meet the specifications found in the 2009 IECC and supplemental materials.

In some cases, taking these measures will not only help you save money, but your health may benefit as well. For example, most homes built before 1980 contain asbestos. Asbestos was used widely throughout the 20th century for a number of things, but it was mainly used for insulation due to its fire-resistant qualities. Unfortunately, exposure to asbestos is the only known cause of a rare and aggressive type of cancer known as mesothelioma. This type of cancer typically forms in the lining of the lungs and is very difficult to treat effectively. This is because mesothelioma symptoms don’t usually show up until about 15 to 25 years after exposure.

Most people are unaware of the fact that eco-friendly products can cut energy costs by 25 to 35% per year. For example, instead of using expensive and mal-treated wood, interior walls can be made from steel and concrete, avoiding many of the problems associated with asbestos and other insulation methods.  In addition, there are a number of alternative types of insulation that can be used that are more eco-friendly than asbestos and don’t pose any danger to your health.

The United States Department of Energy has a list of insulation “Energy Savers” you can use when making plans to remodel your home.