Everyone wants to save money don’t they? Maybe I should rephrase that to everyone HAS to save money these days. Times aren’t easy and the days of unchecked spending are over. Believe me, you should see me running around the house turning lights off. Every bit helps right?
Energy costs always seem to be going up. Summer is here and I’m watching my electricity bill jump. Now I hate having to close all of the shades and blinds trying to keep the house cool. Yes its cooler, but then the house is dark and that isn’t appealing.
We came across something that will help keep the house cool, but will also allow plenty of sunlight in. What we found was opaque window film. This is a frosted window film that you apply to your windows to help diffuse some of the sunlight coming into your home.
Now I say frosted window because it reminds you of how your windows have that “frosted” look on those cold winter days. It allows the room to remain bright with sunlight, but it doesn’t heat up the room either.
Now being on a budget these days wasn’t going to allow us to hire someone to do this. Guess what? There isn’t a need to hire anyone, this is a do it yourself job. Ok, do it yourself with your wife helping. It is easier having four hands installing the window film.
Now besides saving money on my electricity bill using this window film, it can qualify for energy tax credit. You will need to check with the window film manufacturers web site to see if it does qualify. The tax credit is available up to $1,500 and ends on December 31, 2010. A tax credit is better than a tax deduction any day. With a tax credit, it subtracts your tax liability dollar for dollar. For example, if you qualify for a $150 tax credit, which will be $150 less in taxes you will have to pay. Not bad. You save money on your utilities and the Uncle Sam pays for part of the installation.
That doesn’t sound like such a bad deal, does it? Think about it. You improve the look of your home; save a few dollars each month on your energy cost and the government pays you to do it.
With a deal this good, and all of us trying to save money and cut expenses, I guess you’ll be shopping for opaque window film this week.