So Fall is the time for Home Improvements...what tax credits are available and for what?

[LaydeeBug]

I am pretty sure there is currently a tax incentive to replace your windows with more energy efficient energy star windows.

Are there any others that anyone knows of? What stuff are y'all doin' this Fall?

[Hassin Bin Sober]

1. Check with your gas or power company for insulation credits.

We did blown in cellulose last year. It made a huge difference in both winter heating AND summer cooling.

We did it as a condominium association and received $3200 dollars in credits from People's Gas in Chicago.

Home depot will loan the machine for free if you buy 20 bags of insulation - if you are feeling spunky.

[LaydeeBug]

2. I'm pretty spunky. But I also need some electrical updating.

Does blown in insulation effect that?

[Hassin Bin Sober]

3. It depends.

You should definitely check for exposed wires or open boxes (you should do that anyway).

You can work around the stuff later and/or replace where needed. It just gets a bit messy.

All our residential electrical here in Chicago is in conduit so pulling wires later is easier. Most of the country uses Romex (non-metallic cable) for residential.

We did some work at my mother-in-law's house down-state where Romex is used. The electrician we had on-site suggested mounting any new junction boxes in the attic on the roof rafters rather than burying the boxes in the cellulose. This makes finding/access easier post insulation. I suppose you can flag/mark any fixtures or boxes for future reference.