Posts Tagged ‘ custom homes texas ’

Energy Audit Programs & Tax Incentives for Energy Efficient Homes

After reading several posts recently I’ve come across some information about Energy Audit Programs, and the new 2011 energy-efficient tax incentives.   There are several companies in Texas that can come into your home and perform a complete Energy Audit either on a home you’re in the process of building, or your existing home.   The audit could come in handy when thinking about qualifying for the tax breaks.   Considering that to be eligible for the tax credit in Texas, a new home must be 50 percent more energy-efficient than code according to the Texas Home Energy Rating Organization or Texas HERO.

Many states across the U.S. are now utilizing their state’s Energy Audit programs.  For example Washington state have produced more than 1,000 home energy audits and are continuing  at a high rate.   So far initial data is showing to be very effective post-audit,  paired with cash incentives for participating homeowners have been key factors in the 50% uptake rate in Washington state.

The Texas Home Energy Rating Organization (Texas HERO) is a non-profit, membership organization that exists to educate the public and the home energy rating profession; provide a forum for home energy rating industry cooperation on best practices, ethical standards and policy goals; and promote the benefits of energy conservation initiatives and incentives to homeowners, home builders and businesses.  Their program consists of independent energy management professionals that are located throughout Texas.

They provide four types of rating services such as:

HERS® Rating

A home energy rating is a standard measurement of a home’s energy efficiency. A national standard-setting organization, RESNET, credits Home Energy Rating System (HERS) providers to certify and oversee the work quality of individuals who pass a national qualifying exam to become Raters. The home energy rater inspects a home and measures its energy characteristics, such as insulation levels, window efficiency, window-to-wall ratios, the heating and cooling system efficiency, and the solar orientation of the home; conducts performance tests to find air leakage; and completes a computer analysis to estimate energy use and a standardized HERS Index that makes energy use information easy to compare.

ENERGY STAR© Qualified New Home Certification & High Performance Program Verifications

Texas HERO members can provide the guidance and perform the testing and inspections required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to have a home ENERGY STAR© certified.  These homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional energy-saving features that may make them 20–30% more efficient than standard homes.

Member Raters also provide trusted third party verification services for various other above-code and high performance initiatives like Department of Energy’s Builders Challenge, Green Built Texas, and others.

Existing Home Energy Audits

Texas HERO has developed a Technical Standard for comprehensive home energy audits in existing homes and has begun to certify Raters to deliver a Texas Home Energy Audit that meets this standard.  The Texas HERO standard and auditor certification have been recognized by RESNET[1][2] as leading efforts in improving home energy performance.

A home energy audit can help a homeowner or homebuyer in various ways, such as:
  • Understand the critical factors in a home that contribute to inefficiencies and excessive energy use
  • Identify low cost and no-cost strategies to reduce energy use as well as a more comprehensive analysis and recommendation of other cost-effective improvements
  • Qualify a home for an Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM), Energy Efficiency Improvement (EEI) loan or other possible incentives
  • Identify an energy-efficient home that will be comfortable and cost less to live in.
Some lenders recognize rated homes for special financing options.  A Texas HERO-certified Home Energy Auditor is trained to perform comprehensive home energy audits and help homeowners understand their energy saving opportunities.

Custom Energy Inspections

Custom energy inspections can also be designed for a homeowner, builder, or prospective homebuyer. Please contact a home energy rater in your area for additional details.

The tax incentives for energy efficient homes in 2011 are:

  • Consumer purchase of energy-saving products. While restrictions exist that lower the credit to pre-economic recovery act levels, extended tax credits cover window incentives (up to $200), oil and gas furnace and boiler incentives to 95 percent efficiency (from $150-$200) and water heater and wood heating system incentives (up to $300).
  • Manufacturer installation of energy-efficient appliances. A manufacturers’ credit exists for highly efficient appliances designed to save energy in new or existing homes (i.e., those with greater efficiency than today’s average appliances).

Click here to learn more about energy-saving tips

2011
04/11
CATEGORY
April 2011
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Some Simple Tips To Ensure Your Home Is Safe

Home related injuries is one of the last things most people think about in there home.  However home related injuries accounted for more than 20,000 deaths in the U.S. last year, with almost 21 million in medical visits every year.  The top three culprits of home related injuries include: #1 Falls, #2 Poisonings, and #3 Fires and Burns.

So now you know what the leading injuries in the home are so you should be able to avoid them right?  Well maybe not according to a recent HSC survey it showed that while 92 percent of homeowners think about home safety.  Only one third actually of homeowners were able to name a precaution they had actually taken in their home.

It’s something to think about sure and definitely something to act on.  Here are a few simple home updates to help protect yourself and your loved ones from the top home dangers.

Falls

When you have lived to be 75 years old you will have spent an average of 1.5 years in the bathroom.  That is why it is imperative that this highly used room be as safe as possible.  One easy an effective solution is to avoid falls would be to install grab bars.  Products such as Moen® Home Care® Grab Bars with Integrated Accessories combine the safety benefits of a grab bar with three common bath essentials – a towel bar, a toilet paper holder and a shelf – making each bath functional and fashionable. And, to motivate you to install these products – not just think about it – each Grab Bar includes Moen Home Care’s patented SecureMount™ Anchors to quickly, easily and securely install the grab bars in just minutes.

Last but not least add a light sensor or nightlight in your bathrooms, and halls outside the bathroom.  It will provide a well lit path for nighttime visits to the restroom.

Poisoning

The second leading cause of unintentional home injuries in the US  is accidental poisoning.  Reports from the Poison Control Centers state that there is more than two million accidental poisonings each year.  Preventing these poisonings can be simple.  First keep all cleaners, chemicals, and medications in their original containers so as not to be mistaken for another product.

You have read and hear this many times “Keep out of the reach of children”.  Knowing that is not always a simple task especially with children under the age of five.  First make sure all poisonous items and medications are locked and out of your childrens reach.   Add child proof locks on your cabinets, and you can also purchase medicine cabinets with a built in lock  for added safety.

Burns

Over 93 percent of adults reported having smoke alarms in their homes, however some burns occur without any smoke.  More than 100,000 emergency room visits a year occur from hot tap water scald burns.  Preventing tap burns is pretty simple, turn down your hot water heater to below 120 degrees Fahrenheit.  And finally look around for other potential fire hazards such as space heaters, candles, irons, curling irons, and do your best to not leave them unattended.   There are products on the market now like battery-powered “flameless” candles, a good habit to start is unplugging items when your done such as your curling iron.

So in no time flat you could have your home better equipped to fend of the top three home safety hazards.

For more information about Moen Home Care Grab Bars or other bath safety products, visit www.moen.com/homecare.

 

 

 

2011
03/30
CATEGORY
March 2011
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What to know about the Texas Mortgage Credit Program

I came across an article that referenced the Texas Mortgage Credit Program.  Not having heard of the program that has been in effect since at least January I had to find out what this “credit” was.  So after some research I was quickly lead to The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) website.

The TDHCA released $45 million in mortgage credit certificate authority through the new Texas Mortgage Credit Program.   Residents of Texas can participate in the program that is designed to make ownership of a new and or existing homes more affordable.  By providing a dollar for dollar reduction of a borrower’s tax liability (not to exceed $2,000 annually) the program was created  for individuals and families  with moderate income, especially first time home buyers.

The credit authority will allow the Department to provide tax credits on approximately $150 million worth of mortgage loans, which it estimates will help approximately 1,000 eligible households purchase a home of their own once they complete a certified homebuyer education class.  Michael Gerber the TDHCA Executive Director stated “Despite all the negatives we hear from other states, the fact is that the Texas economy – and the demand for home ownership – both remain quite healthy,”. “And TDHCA wants to help them achieve their dreams through safe, reliable home buyer lending products offered through the state, coupled with responsible home buyer education.”

A Mortgage Credit Certificate allows you the home buyer to claim a tax credit for some portion of the mortgage interest paid per year.   Note: The Mortgage Interest Credit (MCC) is a non-refundable tax credit, therefore, the Home buyer MUST have tax liability in order to take advantage of the tax credit. All mortgage loan types are eligible.  The mortgage loan, available through a network of participating lenders, must be underwritten according to FHA, VA, USDA/RHS or conventional loan criteria and will be at prevailing market rates.

New and existing single family homes, townhouses, condominiums and manufactured housing (with certain restrictions) are eligible properties. Purchase price and income limits, adjusted by household size apply. The home buyer must also occupy the property as their principal residence. Here is an example of what a mortgage credit certificate might look like:

MCC Example
Mortgage Amount: $121,000.00
Interest Rate: 6.0%
Total Interest Paid First year: $ 7,260.00
Mortgage Credit Certificate Rate: X .30
Tax Credit Amount: $2,178.00
$2,000 (max)

Chairman of the Board of Texas Association of Realtors Dwight Hale stated,“We’ve worked with TDHCA since 2004 to promote affordable and sustainable paths to home ownership in Texas,” “TDHCA’s MCC program represents one of those viable paths for Texans, which we wholeheartedly endorse.”

Click here for link to the Texas Down Payment Assistance Program

2011
03/14
CATEGORY
March 2011
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Masters Touch Custom Homes

Masters Touch Custom Homes has been invited to build in the Parade of Homes 2010 at Rough Hollows on Lake Travis. Their home sits on one of the best view lots in the Bluffs section at Rough Hollows. The views are expansive of Lake Travis and the lush tree scape of the Canyon. The MTCH home will be 4000 sq ft heated and cooled and will display many technologies such as spray foam insulation, Heat and Glow cyclone fireplaces, 4 star City of Austin Green and Energy functions, interior waterfalls that cascade down the staircase. The architecture style will be French Old World. They will have a formal but yet Old World Feel. There will be a copper range hood, a stone dome ceiling with a Oculous opening. Please come visit our Home in the Lakeway Area Fall of 2010.