Replies

1. 
   rez | Jun 28, 2009 05:08pm | #1

   Yes, metal roofs and "reflective asphalt shingles" that also meet ENERGY STAR requirements are eligible for the tax credit. The tax credit is for 30% of the cost of roofing materials only, up to $1,500. Installation or labor costs are not eligible for the 30% tax credit. Roof coatings are NOT eligible for the tax credit.

   There are several Metal and Shingle roofs listed on the ENERGY STAR qualified product list (look in the "Type" column):

   • Excel: http://downloads.energystar.gov/bi/qplist/roofs_prod_list.xls
   • PDF: http://downloads.energystar.gov/bi/qplist/roofs_prod_list.pdf

   EPA can not confirm that all ENERGY STAR qualified metal roofs or roofing shingles are eligible for the tax credit. Check with the manufacturer, and ask them to provide a Manufacturer's Certification Statement.

   Reflective roofs are not for everyone. They will provide the most benefit in hot sunny climates where you are using your air conditioning a lot. If your house is already shaded and the roof is not exposed to much sun, then a reflective roof may not provide a significant benefit. The benefits will also be lessened if the attic space is well insulated.

   The law specifies: Any metal roof or asphalt roof installed on a dwelling unit, but only if such roof has appropriate pigmented coatings or cooling granules which are specifically and primarily designed to reduce the heat gain of such dwelling unit.

    

1. 
   ncproperties | Jun 28, 2009 08:06pm | #2

   Heard the term "energy star shingle", wanted to know how on earth can a shingle be energy efficient. Got the answer but it didn't make much sense for us in the north where far more dollars are spent on heating than cooling. Thought maybe above the Mason Dixon line we should get the credit for installing same old hot jet black shingles. My next immediate question was now with the credit offer for these specific shingles, how much more of a premium by retailers has been put on them?Related note, saw a History Channel program that said out in the scorching Nevada desert the Air Force stores extra planes and covers them with some kind of, what looked like white latex shrink wrap. Said no matter what the outside temp. is the cockpit temp. never varies by more than 10 degrees. Now that's what I wanna wrap my house with.

1. 
   BillHartmann | Jun 28, 2009 08:38pm | #3

   Apparently those composition shingle are only come out of Souther CA warehouses. Surprisingly they are not stock in TX or FL. And from what I saw on the manufacture website it seems that they meet some CA "feel good" requirements. That is probably one of the reasons that they are not in other places.So no matter what the basic material cost they would be hard to get and expensive in other places..
   William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe

2. 
   Svenny | Jun 28, 2009 08:45pm | #4

   A metal roof can be 3-4 times the cost of a shingle roof. Haven't figured one yet where the energy credit made much of an economic incentive.It's good for those who are already sold on putting on a metal roof and are looking for an offset.For example-I figured one up the other day that was about $7,000.00 for a 30 year dimensional. It worked out to about $17,000.00 for a standing seam with the energy star rating. Not much incentive there.John Svenson, builder,  remodeler,  NE Ohio

1. 
   ncproperties | Jun 28, 2009 09:01pm | #5

   Ya, that's just it if you where all ready sold on or the other you might save a little. I emphasize might because I'm still wondering what premium has now been put on the material now as an "Energy Star" Tax credit aside at a $10,000 difference in dimensional to metal if your looking to cut an energy bill for that price other options open up like putting in a windmill. Even for the credit on blown-in insulation I did some figuring for a Grandma. Wanted to see if I could save her from her $500 month gas bills in Dec,Jan,Feb. Not to be morbid but she would honestly be more likely to be dead, since she's 87 than to see the material alone (Labor free, I'd do it.) paid for with the tax credit and low end estimates of what could be saved off the gas bills.

2. 
   seeyou | Jun 28, 2009 09:11pm | #6

   Haven't figured one yet where the energy credit made much of an economic incentive.

   And it won't. Where the real benefit comes in is at the end of the roof's life. The metal roof SHOULD last longer than the asphalt and then the roof metal is recyclable, where disposal fees must be paid for the asphalt. When those two factors are added in the picture looks a little rosier. http://www.quittintime.com/      View Image        

1. 
   ncproperties | Jun 28, 2009 09:18pm | #7

   Round here the asphalt is recycled. No separation of nails or paper needed. You don't get paid for it like metal but it still negates the disposal fees.

2. 
   seeyou | Jun 28, 2009 09:25pm | #8

   Yeah, I've been looking into that. That's fortunate - not many locations have the facilities - yet.

   What do they do with it? Paving?http://www.quittintime.com/      View Image        

3. 
   ncproperties | Jun 28, 2009 09:42pm | #9

   Pavement, that's my guess and. Here in Michigan a new layer has to go down every spring. Road commission and sanitation department should get in partnership to recollect all the asphalt from the storm drains at the separation plant and reuse.

4. 
   Svenny | Jun 28, 2009 09:53pm | #10

   Precious few homeowners think that long term.In my experience, a customer who goes with a metal roof (I'm talking high end not R panel) first of all has $$$$. Then they have to have an appreciation for the "look" of metal. Whether that comes from a historical perspective, or aesthetic, that appreciation has to be there.And did I say they have to have the $$$$$$?The life span of the product and recycle value are pretty low priorities in my experience. It's just icing on the cake.John Svenson, builder,  remodeler,  NE Ohio

5. 
   seeyou | Jun 28, 2009 09:57pm | #11

   It's just icing on the cake.

   I just sold a $120K copper roof yesterday. They'd been on the fence for a while, trying to justify spending that much. When I added those details, it was just enough to nudge them in the right direction.http://www.quittintime.com/      View Image        

6. 
   Svenny | Jun 28, 2009 10:09pm | #12

   "I just sold a $120K copper roof yesterday. They'd been on the fence for a while, trying to justify spending that much. When I added those details, it was just enough to nudge them in the right direction."Congratulations on the nice sale!I see my rule number 1 holds true-the customer has to have the $$$$$$$$$John Svenson, builder,  remodeler,  NE Ohio

7. 
   jimAKAblue | Jul 01, 2009 05:04pm | #13

   Nice sale!

8. 
   seeyou | Jul 01, 2009 05:23pm | #14

   Thanks - we do one or two of those a year.http://www.quittintime.com/      View Image        

9. 
   jimAKAblue | Jul 02, 2009 03:50pm | #15

   That is awesome. I'm guessing you would prefer to do about ten or twenty of them each year.

   Do you keep your same gross profit margin or do you increase it on those upscale projects?

10. 
    seeyou | Jul 02, 2009 04:13pm | #16

    Do you keep your same gross profit margin or do you increase it on those upscale projects?

    It stays the same. http://www.quittintime.com/      View Image