Simonton Windows® Applauds Rockefeller Amendment Promoting Energy-efficient Products for Homeowners
PARKERSBURG, W. VA. – Following the successful passage of a jobs package last week by the U.S. Senate, Simonton Windows® expressed appreciation of West Virginia Senator Jay Rockefeller’s efforts for their role in helping increase demand for energy-efficient products. The passage of the bill is expected to add clearer understanding for consumers regarding the federal energy tax credit, which should spur sales of energy-efficient windows, and as a result, create more jobs.
“The current stimulus bill providing tax credits to homeowners for upgrading to energy-efficient windows has had a positive impact on the manufacturing, distribution, installation and sales of energy-efficiency products,” says Gary Pember, vice president of marketing at Simonton Windows. “However, this bill has been confusing for homeowners because the qualifications are so different from ENERGY STAR® guidelines for energy-efficient windows in different geographic areas of the country.
“Senator Rockefeller’s proposal switches the requirements for the tax credits to align with current 2010 ENERGY STAR criteria. This makes more sense to homeowners because the ENERGY STAR guidelines are issued for different temperature extremes reflected in different regions of the country. ENERGY STAR has a successful history as a recognized, understandable and trusted program for consumers. The past success and overall awareness of the ENERGY STAR program among homeowners and trade professionals makes it the ideal program for use as a standard with the federal energy tax credit.
“When fully confirmed, this bill will allow homeowners throughout the country to perfectly align the thermal performance of their windows with the respective geographic area of the country in which they live.”
Legislation currently pending would shift the federal energy tax credit from the .30/.30 requirement to align with the 2010 ENERGY STAR standards. The shift of the tax credit from the artificial criteria established in the stimulus bill to the newest ENERGY STAR label requirements would help build upon the success of the tax credit by providing consumers with the most energy-efficient window--based on their particular home and climate zone.
Simonton Windows has provided additional support to homeowners by initiating a promotion offering consumers up to $150 toward preparation of an individual’s 2010 personal income tax return at participating H&R Block® locations when they purchase 12 or more Simonton windows from select lines that are eligible for the Federal Energy Tax Credit under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. These are the same energy-efficient windows that qualify homeowners for up to $1,500 in tax credit from the U.S. government. The H&R Block promotion can assist homeowners in itemizing their personal taxes by a professional in order to qualify for the federal energy tax credit.
Simonton ENERGY STAR Glass Packages
“For the past 11 years Simonton has been an ENERGY STAR partner,” says Pember. “We fully support this program and have made certain that every Simonton product line offers glass packages that can be ordered to meet the four climate zones in the ENERGY STAR program.
“The tax credit has worked well so far, but it can work better with this proposed change. At Simonton, our commitment to meet this higher level of energy-efficiency provides homeowners, remodelers and builders with more energy-efficient options than ever before.”
Named for each ENERGY STAR climate zone, (Northern, North-Central, South-Central and Southern) Simonton’s ENERGY STAR glass packages provide the optimal balance of thermal efficiency and value. Each package is optimized for the particular product line and geographic zone in which the window or door will be installed. Selecting the right glass package is as simple as:
- Specifying the Simonton windows and doors you want.
- Stating that you want ENERGY STAR qualified products.
- Indicating your climate zone.
The simplest way homeowners and building industry professionals can gain information on ordering 2010 ENERGY STAR qualified Simonton vinyl windows and doors is by visiting www.simonton.com/energystar.
For information on how homeowners may also qualify for up to $150 in personal tax preparation fees from H&R Block® when purchasing 12 or more qualifying energy-efficient Simonton windows .* Terms and restrictions apply. Simonton is not a tax advisor. For complete Terms of Offer, visit www.simonton.com/hrblock.
Simonton Windows produces ENERGY STAR qualified replacement and new construction windows and doors, including a line of impact-resistant products. For the second year in a row, Simonton ranked “Highest in Builder and Remodeler Satisfaction among Residential Window and Patio Door Manufacturers” in the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Builder and Remodeler Residential Window and Patio Door Satisfaction StudySM. Simonton was also ranked #1 in quality in the 2009, 2007, 2002 and 1998 Brand Use Studies sponsored by Builder magazine and has won three Best-In-Class Awards from Market Research Associates.
Founded in 1946, Simonton’s hallmark has been to deliver its made-to-order products in five days or less. Part of the home and security business of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO), Simonton delivers award-winning products nationwide to key markets throughout the 48 continental United States. For information, call (800) SIMONTON (1-800-746-6686) or visit www.simonton.com.
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Simonton Windows received the highest numerical score in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2008-2009 Builder and Remodeler Residential Window and Patio Door Satisfaction Studies.SM 2009 study based on responses from 3,109 builders and remodelers measuring 16 manufacturers. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of builders and remodelers surveyed in April-May 2009. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com
ENERGY STAR is a government program that helps consumers protect the environment through superior energy efficiency and is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
*Homeowners who purchase a minimum of 12 Simonton windows or patio doors that are eligible for the Federal Energy Tax Credit under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 from any of the qualifying product lines from a participating Simonton Windows® dealer between February 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010 will qualify for this offer to receive a certificate good for up to $150 toward preparation of his or her 2010 personal income tax return at a participating H&R Block office in the United States. Qualifying product lines include: Simonton Reflections® 5500 Series, Prism® by Simonton Platinum Series, Simonton Impressions®; 9800 Series, Simonton Impressions® 7500 Series, Simonton Impressions® 7300 Series, Simonton ProFinish® Brickmould 600 Series and Simonton StormBreaker Plus® Series 300VL. Offer void where prohibited, licensed, taxed and restricted by law. Redemption forms must be postmarked within 60 calendar days of invoice date. Simonton Building Products, Inc. is not a legal or tax advisor. Subject to complete Terms of Offer available at participating dealer locations and online at www.simonton.com/hrblock.
Simonton Windows, StormBreaker Plus, ProSolar and the stylized “S” are registered trademarks of Simonton Building Products, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2010 Simonton Building Products, Inc.