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April 26, 2012

Long Fence and Home Goes PLATINUM!

Our owners are in Scottsdale, AZ this week! Not only are they soaking up the sun, they’re also attending ProVia Door’s Platinum Club 2012 conference. This means that we’ve received platinum recognition for being a top provider of our energy efficient doors!

Long Doors increase your home’s value, enhance your family’s safety and provide a lifetime warranty. Once you put your doors in our hands, you’ll never have to worry about them again!

April 26, 2012

Making Sense of Tax Credits for Your Home Improvements

Home Improvements That Qualify for Tax Credits

With the change in political power comes a change in the tax code.  You may or may not be aware of many of the improvements which you are now allowed to deduct from your taxes. Of course, the tax code isn’t the easiest thing to understand, and you first need to see which improvement you make qualifies for a tax deduction or tax credit.

The Basics

A tax deduction reduces the amount of your income that is taxable. So, if you make $29,000 per year and receive a $1,000 tax deduction, you are actually being taxed on $28,000. If you fall in the 30% tax bracket, you will receive 30% of the $1,000 back, or $300.

However, if your improvement qualifies as a tax credit, the savings are much more substantial. Say you make the same $29,000 per year. But now, a tax credit takes $1,000 off the amount you owe, compared to the $300 you received before!

The Energy Tax Credit

To qualify for the Energy Tax Credit, you need to have a signed statement from the product’s manufacturer indicating their products qualify. If you live in a region with wide temperature swings like Maryland, you may have a high need for energy efficiency during the heat of the summer months and cold of the winter months. This credit is available when you purchase energy-saving:

• Geothermal heat pump
• Solar energy systems (available through Long Fence and Home)
• Wind energy systems
• Fuel cells

The federal government allows homeowners a credit of 10% of the cost of these improvements, up to a maximum of $500.

Tax Deductible Home Improvements

The rules regarding home improvements are not necessarily black and white. Some home improvements that are tax deductible include medical renovations that are helpful to a person in need, but don’t necessarily increase the long-term value of the home. Examples of tax-deductible improvements for handicapped individuals include:

• Ramps for wheelchair access
• Widened doors and hallways
• Installing railings and support bars for bathroom safety
• Lowering counter and cabinet height
• Adjusting electrical outlets and other fixtures

To protect yourself from an audit, obtain a signed statement from a doctor detailing why the modifications you would like are medically necessary. Keep in mind that medical home improvements are only tax deductible after they have exceeded 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. If you have medically-related home improvements to make, make them all in one year in order to maximize your benefit.

Tax Facts to Keep in Mind

If you have a lot of improvements planned, you can obtain the funds you need to modify your existing home with an FHA 203(k) loan. When you’re price shopping for different lenders, make sure you find a mortgage banker — they handle the loan process in house so there is no middle man and no fees — that’s licensed in all types of Maryland home loans, like New American Funding.

Non-Tax Deductible Improvements to Consider

While you may not be able to cash in on the tax credit for these improvements right now — it expired in 2011, but may come back — the long-term cost savings that come with them are reason enough to make the switch to the eco-friendly alternative.

• Windows
• Doors
• Siding
• Insulation

You lose about 30 percent of energy through cracks or slits in your windows and doors. Having your windows and doors replaced with energy efficient ones will help you lower your heating and air conditioning bills and create a better insulated home to combat the temperature swings. Look for the Quantum2 from Serious Windows for your replacements as they are one of the most energy efficient windows available today and block about 99.7% of harmful UV rays. The Quantum2 was  chosen by the Empire State Building in New York, NY when it decided to undergo an energy retrofit for its 6,514 windows in 2010.

About the Author

Erin Everhart is a blogger, writer and marketer for 352 Media Group where she works closely with the Maryland home loan lender, New American Funding. Originally from Atlanta but born and bred a University of Florida Gator, Erin is an avid tennis player, music nerd, travel junkie and one of the few people who actually likes grammar.

April 6, 2012

Let’s March (of Dimes) for Ryan!

This month, Long Fence and Home donated to March of Dimes to support babies who are born prematurely. When our graphic designer asked if we’d support her son’s teacher who is walking for her premature nephew, we absolutely wanted to share in the giving! Thanks to the research made possible by March of Dimes, Ryan was able to have the surgery that saved his life. Go Ryan!

If you want to donate to help Ryan, visit marchforbabies.org/clesinski and click Donate Now!

December 1, 2011

December’s Energy Saving Tip from Long Fence and Home

Santa Claus isn’t the only one coming this December – so is Jack Frost! As the temperatures start to drop, your energy bills start to rise. Here are some tips to use this month to conserve the heat being pushed into your home.

1. Move your furniture away from heating vents – Furniture that blocks your vents will drastically decrease the efficiency of your heating system. Heat being pushed into the back of your sofa will not circulate into your home and will prevent the air from warming up. As a result, your heating unit will work harder to compensate, meaning more money on your gas bill.
2. Clean vents are efficient vents – Radiators, vents and baseboards should be kept dust and dirt free. Not only does the dust reduce the amount of heat that can be pushed into the home, but it will also circulate into the air, which could result in breathing complications.
3. Seal your home – If there is cold air seeping into your home around your windows, chances are that means the warm air is leaking out. Replacement windows are a cost-effective solution to keep the cold air outside and the warm air inside.
4. Do NOT run your fireplace on the night of December 24th – Ok, this might not technically be an energy efficiency thing, but c’mon – you don’t want Santa to get burned on his way down the chimney, do you?

For more ways to save energy year round, please visit our Energy Saving Tips site.

We wish everyone a warm and happy holiday season!

October 19, 2011

Long Energy Solutions wants to see YOU at the Defense Logistics Agency

The team from Long Energy Solutions will be at the Defense Logistics Agency today and tomorrow spreading the word about our superior replacement windows, energy-saving insulation and state-of-the-art radiant barrier that will increase a home’s energy efficiency and reduce a homeowner’s reliance on the energy company. Even better, Long Fence and Home offers all federal employees and military 25% off their purchase!

We hope to see you there!