There has been a lot of talk lately about the ending of the federal government’s $8,000 tax credit for new home buyers. But what about those of us who already own homes? Can we get a break too?

Yes, and our program is still going on.

The federal government’s $1,500 Energy Tax Credit is still available for qualifying home improvements. That’s like getting a $1,500 discount on your project!

Not all home improvement projects or products are eligible. In order to qualify for the $1,500 Energy Tax Credit, the windows, doors, siding or insulation you install must meet federal standards for energy efficiency.

The good news? All of the windows, doors and siding installed by Fiderio & Sons meet the federal energy standards and qualify for the $1,500 Energy Tax Credit. We’ll also help you with the paperwork and documentation necessary to get your tax credit.

There is still time to earn the Energy Tax Credit on your 2009 tax return. But you’ll need to complete your qualifying renovation before December 31, 2009. Call us today to find out more and to discuss how we can help you make your home more energy efficient while taking advantage of the $1,500 Energy Tax Credit.

Visit our web site at www.Fiderio.com. Or call us at 1-800-FIDERIO.

The Farmers’ Almanac has a long and mostly successful history of predicting weather patterns. This year’s Almanac calls for a cold and snowy winter here in New England. Good news for those who enjoy winter sports and snow-filled days. But bad news for homeowner’s faced with paying high energy costs to heat their homes.

The time to do something about it is right now. Just as you dress in warmer clothing to stave off the chill of a winter’s day, you can “dress up” your home to keep it warm and cozy while cutting your heating costs. And you could even save $1,500 in the process!

Three ways to save.
Three of the most effective ways to winterize your home are:

• Replace your windows. Getting rid of your old, single or double pane windows and replacing them with energy-efficient triple pane glass can help you reduce energy costs by an amazing 47%.

• Install insulated siding. If you “wrap” your home in the new premium vinyl siding with built-in insulation, you can reduce energy loss by up to 44%. That will help you stay warmer and cut down on the money you spend to heat your home.

• Replace your roof. You might not think of your roof as a source of energy loss. But radiational cooling occurs vertically in your home, and a sturdy, well-insulated roof can help retain warm air. In addition, a properly ventilated roof can reduce the instances of “ice dams” than can force water into your attic and walls.

$1,500 Energy Tax Credit still in effect.
The federal government’s $1,500 Energy Tax Credit is still available for qualifying home improvements. That’s like getting a $1,500 discount on your project! But the windows, doors, siding or insulation you install must meet federal standards for energy efficiency in order to qualify for the $1,500 credit.

All of the windows, doors and siding installed by Fiderio meet the federal energy standards and qualify for the $1,500 Energy Tax Credit. We’ll also help you with the necessary paperwork and documentation.

Want to know more? Visit our web site at www.Fiderio.com. Or call us at 1-800-FIDERIO.

We have certainly had more than our share of wet weather this year. The month of June had measurable rainfall on 26 of 30 days!

How is your home’s roof holding up? Your gutters? We rely on these important structural systems to protect us against wind, snow and rain. But even the strongest roof can suffer damage and wear during a prolonged period of bad weather.

Even if you have not noticed any leaks inside your home, it is important that you have your roof check out to see if there has been any damage done over the past few months. Missing, loose or cracked shingles, loose flashing or worn seals can all quickly develop into an expensive problem if not caught early.

Similar problems can occur with your gutters, which perform the critical task of carrying rainfall away from your home’s siding and foundation. Clogged gutters can back up and force water into your home, and the gutter itself can separate from the side of the house, leaving a gap that allows water in.

At Fiderio & Sons, we have been installing and repairing roofs across Connecticut for more than 25 years. We know what to look for on a roof, and are able to spot problems that an untrained eye could easily miss.

Call us today at 1-800-FIDERIO to schedule a FREE roof inspection. We’ll give you an honest assessment of what we find, and recommend any immediate or long-term repairs we feel may be necessary.

Meanwhile, let’s all pray for sunshine!

We have written in the past about how certain home improvements can help you reduce your home heating costs. That is particularly important here in New England, where the furnace can sometimes “kick on” in late September and finally wheeze to a stop as late as the middle of May.

But home energy use does not stop during the summer months. In fact, for many people, some types of energy use accelerate when the weather gets warmer.

For example, you may not burn through a lot of oil or natural gas to heat your home in June, July and August. But your electricity bill can climb sky high as you turn on air conditioners and fans.

Think about it: If your drafty old single-pane windows allow warm air to escape and cold air to enter your home in January, those same windows will allow cool air to escape and hot, humid air to enter in July! In fact, the more intense summer sunlight only adds to the problem.

The good news is that you can also cut down warm weather energy use — and energy costs — with many of the same home improvements that are so important for the winter months. Products that provide thermal insulation against the cold can also protect you from the heat.

Take our replacement windows. The Low-E glass in the double- and triple-paned models of these high-tech windows is great at preventing the passage of heat in either direction. So if you have central air conditioning, a room air conditioning unit or simply a fan, the cool air created stays where it belongs — inside your home.

The same principles apply to insulated entry doors, insulated siding and Solar Water Heating systems. All can save you money and keep you warmer during the winter and cooler during the summer. So you don’t have to wait until next winter to start reducing your energy bills!

If you are interested in saving money and keeping your home cooler this summer, call us at 1-800-FIDERIO. Or visit our web site at www.fiderio.com

With energy prices skyrocketing, now is the time to think about how to make your home as energy efficient as it can be. One way to reduce your home heating fuel consumption is replacing your old windows with newer windows that are engineered to help reduce heat loss.

Windows let light and air into your home. Unfortunately, inefficient windows can also bring in the cold, driving up heating costs. Replacing them with new energy- efficient replacement windows will make your home more comfortable and reduce energy consumption. When choosing a replacement window, consider the following factors:

Choose Your Window Materials Carefully
Traditional wood frame windows are not very energy efficient. Aluminum frames also readily allow the transfer of heat out of your home and let the cold in. Your best bet is a window made from engineered vinyl. The best vinyl windows are well insulated and include such features as “warm edge spacers” and triple weather stripping to prevent drafts and the conduction of heat.

The More Glass the Better
Single pane windows are the least expensive, but also the “leakiest” when it comes to heat loss. Double- or triple-pane windows greatly increase the insulating properties of the overall unit. The most advanced feature a “sandwich” of low-E glass and inert gas filler to provide a highly effective heat/cold barrier.

Look for Independent Certifications
Several organizations provide independent ratings of a replacement window’s energy efficiency. Energy Star is a program that recognizes companies and products that help Americans save energy. When your windows are Energy Star certified, you know that they offer the best in energy conservation technologies.

Another energy efficiency rating comes from the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC). The NFRC is an independent organization that performs research and testing to find the industry’s most energy-efficient windows and doors.

Custom Fit is Best
While you can buy replacement windows “off the shelf” at a hardware store, these windows come in standard sizes that may not fit your home. This can result in gaps that defeat the purpose of sealing your home against the cold. A custom-sized window, on the other hand, fits snugly and securely to prevent gaps and drafts.

Insist on Quality Installation
Proper installation by an experiences window technician is critical to ensuring years of energy-efficient, hassle-free performance from your new replacement windows. Fiderio & Sons has been installing replacement windows in homes across Connecticut for 25 years, and has received numerous awards for our service and quality.

Over the past 25 years we have completed hundreds of bathroom renovations, from very large to very small. One thing they have all had in common was the unfortunate, yet necessary, disruption of daily routine necessitated by the process of demolition and rebuilding. The loss of a room for a protracted period is especially acute when it is a room as essential as a bathroom.

Wanting to address this situation, we researched alternatives that might reduce the amount of time it would take our crews to complete a bathroom renovation. We found a solution — Luxury Bath — that amazingly takes just one day!

A Luxury Bath installation can transform the look of your bathroom by providing a neat, clean and simple solution to the most problematic area — the bathtub and shower. Using high-strength polymer materials, we can convert your old tub/shower area into a gleaming new showplace, complete with new shower door or curtain and your choice of accessories. And the Luxury Bath enclosure is infused with Microban™ anti-microbial material that helps to keep your bathroom cleaner and safer.

And, yes, we can do all this in a single day. And at a cost that is well below that of a full bathroom remodel.

So if you are tired of looking at a bathroom that is dull, dingy and dark, but are worried about the cost and disruption of a remodeling project, our Luxury Bath renovation could be the perfect option for you.

Want to know more? Visit our web site at www.Fiderio.com. Or call us at 1-800-FIDERIO.

The economic stimulus package recently signed into law by President Obama includes very attractive tax credits for homeowners who take steps to make their homes more energy efficient.

 

Included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is a tax credit that can be taken against the cost of any of the following home improvements:

 

Product                                    Tax Credit                   

Windows                                 30% up to $1,500        

Exterior Doors                         30% up to $1,500        

Roofing                                    30% up to $1,500        

Solar Water Heaters                30% with no cap limit

 

These tax credits are available only on qualifying products that offer significant energy savings when installed.

 

You Save Now AND Later

By installing energy-efficient windows, doors, roofing or a solar water heater system now, you can earn up to 30% of the cost on next year’s tax bill. Plus you’ll start cutting your home energy bills right away, and continue to save for years to come.

 

For example, Fiderio & Sons’ “Ultra-U” Double Pane replacement windows are eligible for the 30% tax credit, and will help you reduce your home heating and cooling bills by 40% – guaranteed! That’s a real “win-win” for you.

 

Not All Products Qualify

Be careful if you are shopping for windows, doors, roofing or solar water heating systems. Not all qualify for the tax credits! Even if a product has EnergyStar certification, it may not be eligible for the tax credit.

 

We Have What You Need

Fiderio & Sons offers products and systems that will improve your home’s energy efficiency AND qualify for the 30% tax credit. Our expert installation crews are ready to help you make the changes you need to save money right at home!

 

For additional information about the energy tax credit and which products are eligible, please contact Fiderio & Sons toll-free at 1-800-FIDERIO.

With energy prices still high, now is the time to think about how to make your home as energy efficient as it can be. One way to reduce your home heating (and cooling!)  fuel consumption is replacing your old windows with newer windows that are engineered to help reduce heat loss.

Windows let light and air into your home. Unfortunately, inefficient windows can also bring in the cold, driving up heating costs. In the summer, “leaky” windows can allow cooler air to escape. Replacing your windows with new energy- efficient replacement windows will make your home more comfortable and reduce energy consumption. When choosing a replacement window, consider the following factors:

Choose Your Window Materials Carefully
Traditional wood frame windows are not very energy efficient. Aluminum frames also readily allow the transfer of heat out of your home and let the cold in. Your best bet is a window made from engineered vinyl. The best vinyl windows are well insulated and include such features as “warm edge spacers” and triple weather stripping to prevent drafts and the conduction of heat.

The More Glass the Better
Single pane windows are the least expensive, but also the “leakiest” when it comes to heat loss. Double- or triple-pane windows greatly increase the insulating properties of the overall unit. The most advanced feature a “sandwich” of low-E glass and inert gas filler to provide a highly effective heat/cold barrier.

Look for Independent Certifications
Several organizations provide independent ratings of a replacement window’s energy efficiency. Energy Star is a program that recognizes companies and products that help Americans save energy. When your windows are Energy Star certified, you know that they offer the best in energy conservation technologies.

Another energy efficiency rating comes from the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC). The NFRC is an independent organization that performs research and testing to find the industry’s most energy-efficient windows and doors.

Custom Fit is Best
While you can buy replacement windows “off the shelf” at a hardware store, these windows come in standard sizes that may not fit your home. This can result in gaps that defeat the purpose of sealing your home against the cold. A custom-sized window, on the other hand, fits snugly and securely to prevent gaps and drafts.

Insist on Quality Installation
Proper installation by an experiences window technician is critical to ensuring years of energy-efficient, hassle-free performance from your new replacement windows. Fiderio & Sons has been installing replacement windows in homes across Connecticut for 25 years, and has received numerous awards for our service and quality.

If the kitchen is the heart of the home, our “hearts” are getting bigger, better and more user friendly. A room that was once the exclusive domain of Mom has become a family-oriented hub in many homes. The latest trends in kitchen design and construction are geared toward making kitchens more welcoming, more functional and capable of being more than just a place to cook. Here are five of the newest ideas in kitchen design.

1. Prep Zones

With today’s hectic lifestyle, not every family is able to sit down together for a regular evening meal, especially during the workweek. Kitchen designers are accommodating this fast paced life by creating a “kitchen within a kitchen” for the preparation of quicker, lighter meals. This might include a cluster of prep counter, small refrigerator, clean up sink and microwave oven – all within easy reach. The rest of the kitchen remains available for preparing larger meals, with full oven and range, full-size refrigerator and oversize sink for clean up.

2. Colorful Cabinets

While traditional wood cabinets remain very popular, some homeowners are remodeling their kitchens with more daring and unusual storage solutions. This includes exotic woods and hardware, plenty of glass and colorful finishes. Instead of white or stained wood, cabinets are painted in rich colors or dark finishes to complement new appliances and flooring options.

In addition, customers are adding more display area into upper cabinets, putting in glass inserts into door fronts and gallery lighting inside the cabinet to show off their best china or collections of glassware.

3. Different Levels

Walk into most kitchens build in the past 30 years and you’ll see a bank of cabinets that are of equal height. But modern designers are breaking up this “solid wall” by mixing in extra tall cabinets (some run floor to ceiling!) with shorter storage areas.

Counters are also coming in at different levels. With more open floor designs, counters are being wrapped around at a higher level to create a break between the kitchen and the rest of the house. In other areas, counters are being lowered to create a more convenient workspace for baking and food preparation.

4. Office Space

Mom used to keep her recipes, unread mail and address book in a corner of the kitchen, perhaps on the counter or a small desk. Now her recipes and addresses are on a laptop computer, and kitchen designers are accommodating this technological change. To start with, kitchens are being wired with additional electrical outlets and cable access for television and web surfing. And countertops are morphing into a workspace for paying bills and catching up on correspondence right in the kitchen.

5. Everything Within Reach

Function is everything in a modern kitchen. Cabinet manufacturers have responded with innovative designs that allow easy access to the deep recesses of the cabinet, with slide out shelving and racks. Appliance manufacturers are on board, too, with features such as built-in warming drawers, countertop grills and dual ovens.

Kitchen designers have been quick to adapt their ideas to meet the needs of the modern lifestyle. As a result, the kitchen has become an even more important room that is both functional and spacious.

The “freeze and thaw” cycle that occurs across New England in late Winter and early Spring can result in a dangerous threat known as “ice dams.” One sign that you may have an ice dam problem is the formation of icicles along the edge of your roof or gutters.

An ice dam occurs when water in your home’s gutters freezes. This ice can back up under the edge of your roof and enter your home. Then, when it melts again the next warm day, water can leak into your attic and down onto ceilings and along interior walls. This causes stains that are unsightly, and may even cause structural damage to your home.

The best way to deter the formation of ice dams is by having a properly vented roof. A good roof vent will help balance the temperature of your roof and attic and prevent the “freeze and thaw” cycle from occurring. Another way to prevent ice dams is to install a protective cover system over your gutters, like the GutterShutter™ system offered by Fiderio & Sons.

If an ice dam does occur in your home, don’t try to break it up yourself. Tall ladders and icy weather are a recipe for disaster! Instead, call us at 877-606-7288 for help in freeing your gutters of ice, and taking steps to prevent it from reoccurring.