| An energy credit is a tax credit - a payment | | | | Manufactured Homes |
| made on the taxes you owe. A tax credit offers | | | | Manufactured homes that are built have to have |
| you a larger impact on your tax liability than a | | | | an energy efficiency rating of at least 30% over |
| deduction because it is deducted from the tax | | | | the 2004 Energy Star guidelines; the available tax |
| money that is owed as opposed to deducting the | | | | credit for manufactured homes is $1000 per |
| money from the total liability. Home builders | | | | home. The Manufactured homes have to have |
| across the United States are eligible for a $2,000 | | | | been manufactured after 2005 and be certified |
| tax credit per sold home. These credits will be | | | | using the same Department of Energy Software |
| doled out using the guidelines set up by the | | | | and third party inspection is also required by a |
| Department of Energy's Energy Star standards | | | | certified DOE inspector as site built homes. The |
| for builders that can meet the standards. | | | | manufactured home has to be delivered and |
| Site Built Homes | | | | setup and ready for occupancy no later than |
| New homes have to be energy efficient homes | | | | December 31 of the year it was manufactured. |
| that exceed the Energy Star standards set by | | | | How Can a Home Qualify? |
| the new Department of Energy for energy | | | | To qualify a building for the credit certain materials |
| efficiency. The Energy Star standards are a set | | | | can be used. Energy efficient windows, well |
| of guidelines that were implemented in 2004 as | | | | constructed foundations, heavily insulated attics, |
| part of an incentive to reduce energy | | | | walls, ceilings. Using alternate energy sources can |
| consumption. Site built homes are eligible to | | | | also qualify as long as the rating meets that 50% |
| receive the credit as are manufactured homes | | | | mark for site built and 30% mark for |
| (see below). For homes that are site built they | | | | manufactured. With newer materials available |
| must be built in the United States and have | | | | today and newer technology used in building these |
| energy efficiency ratings of at least 50% over | | | | marks are not that hard to reach. |
| the guidelines that are set forth in the 2004 | | | | Other Credits |
| Energy Star Regulations. Only homes that have | | | | The tax credit has been extended through 2016. |
| been built after 2005 are eligible for the tax credit. | | | | Specific energy credits through the federal |
| At least one fifth of the energy savings must be | | | | government are not available to builders of new |
| derived from the area of the home that is heated | | | | homes yet but the credits are available to the |
| cooled. The homes must pass using Department | | | | home owner. Some states offer energy credits |
| of Energy software and also have to be | | | | to new home builders for implementing solar and |
| inspected by an independent third party inspector | | | | other alternate energy sources in new home |
| certified by the DOE. The home has to be ready | | | | construction, an interested party will have to |
| for occupancy by December 31 of the year | | | | check with the state that they do business in to |
| construction began. | | | | check out the regulations. |