In 1992 the U.S. federal government launched a program under the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency called the Energy Star program. The Energy Star program seeks to promote energy efficiency specifically in consumer products.
The Energy Star service mark can be found on consumer products that comply with a certain level of energy efficiency.
Under the Energy Star program, qualifying building products, including some metal roofing systems, are eligible for a federal income tax credit. You can apply for this credit by filling out a form and filing with your taxes during your annual filing. The result is a nice credit on your taxes which could mean more cash in your pocket and an immediate return on your roofing investment.
How do I know if my roof is Energy Star eligible?
Ask your manufacturer! Typically a metal roof is eligible for the residential energy efficiency federal income tax credit based on the applied coating. In fact, the exact wording of the Energy Star qualifications for metal roofs is "metal roofs with appropriate pigmented coatings" (learn more about metal roof coatings here) The manufacturer of your materials should be able to tell you whether or not your roof qualifies.
How much is the Energy Star Tax Credit?
For Energy Star certified metal roofs, the tax credit is 10% of the amount of the materials up to $500. It's important to note that the cost of the labor on the installation is not eligible.
Why are metal roofs Energy Star rated?
Because they are energy efficient! Energy Star certified metal roofs can reflect 25-65% of solar energy away from the roof surface resulting in surface temperatures that are up to 100°F cooler non-certified materials. This results in less solar energy being transferred into your home, less work that your HVAC system has to do, less energy being used!
Interested in accessing the necessary forms needed to claim the Energy Star tax credit? Click here.