Jones,+Russ+-+Go+Fix+It!+-+Energy+Tax+Credits

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= GO FIX IT! Energy Tax Credits: Don't Tax Building Corporations, Credit them! =

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“Federal Tax Credit House.” Online Image. 2007. __J. Hall Homes, Inc__. 24 April. 2010. [| http://www.jhallhomes.com/ckfinder/userfiles/images/Federal%20Tax%20Credit%20House%20JPG.jpg] “Solar Panel.” Online Image. 2010. __The Free Lance-Star Publishing Co__. 24 April, 2010. [] “Loop Wing Wind Turbine.” Online Image. 2009. __Greenthinkers.com__. Rockershirt Industries. 24 April, 2010 [| http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2009/102009/10232009/501991/hhnetzero1.jpg]
 * Image Citations (In order from Left to Right)**

Land Development and Energy Efficient Homes
Recently, energy efficiency and sustainability has been a prominent consideration in the design and manufacturing of different products such as automobiles, appliances, and other energy dependent products. Despite this effort, the presence of energy efficient heating, cooling, and electrical supply systems in homes has not been growing in a proportionate trend. The advertising and construction of efficient homes is not a common occurrence because it is a difficult means towards a profit for builders. Because it is not profitable, building corporations do not have the incentive to use energy efficient homes as a means of competing with each other on the housing market. In order to give building corporations the inspiration to construct more energy efficient homes, taxes could be adjusted to credit builders instead of homeowners for installing residential wind turbine, solar, and waste oil burning systems, along with many other materials. The images above represent the use of some energy efficient systems being used to make energy efficient homes profitable and worthwhile investments for home-builders.

In modern housing construction and development in the United States of America, with the growth of suburbia, many small building corporations have appeared in the past fifty years. These building corporations are in competition with each other to build quality homes at competitive prices. Most of the homes that are constructed are preplanned designs as part of housing development projects. This means that solar power, geothermal heating, efficient roofing, efficient doors and windows are usually not included in the designs because these systems and products tend to drive up home costs to an un-viable total. Because of this, home-builders do not have the incentive to include energy efficient homes in development design. (Walsh).

For example, solar power is an incredibly efficient way to harness energy for home use. In particular, solar energy can be used to help heat water. Currently solar power prices are very high and not affordable to the average American. Solar panels are installed in new construction homes by the request for custom builds. Income is a major factor. If builders have an advantage in fronting the cost through tax credits similar to those that homeowners receive, builders would be more likely to include solar panels in design. Tax credits would help to make energy efficient homes more viable for competition. More energy efficient homes would be constructed each year. (Allen).

Energy efficient homes, by ENERGY-STAR standards, that are being built today are typically constructed as custom builds for customers with an income that can pay for the costs of large upfront investments for energy efficient homes. (Hocker).

The Solution to Create More Energy Efficient Homes
Homeowners have tax credits as a positive financial consideration in requesting energy efficient systems in their home design. However, because many Americans do not have the luxury of being able to afford and choose efficient systems in the design of their homes, let alone being able to afford a custom home, it is ineffective for these tax incentives to be supplied to the home owner. Also many Americans do not have an urgent sense to make their homes energy efficient. The initial investments are high costs that turn homeowners away from following through in purchases. Builders are eligible for $2000.00 tax credits for ENERGY-STAR efficient homes, but they should be eligible for more. If homeowner tax credits were directed towards builders and suppliers instead, more energy efficient homes would be constructed. (Walsh).

Stakeholders and Challenges
Because the issue is important to the United States Government, Building Corporations, and Homeowners, it is important to understand how this action could help our country's energy sustainability in order to encourage its implementation. With more energy efficient homes, our dependency on electric, natural gas, and home heating oil power would decrease. With rising energy costs, this is a worthwhile investment that would keep Americans from diverting too much of their income to energy costs. This solution will be somewhat difficult as it will have effects on national revenue that will need to be analyzed and calculated. It will have an effect on the national budget, as some re-prioritization will have to take place.

For more information on the tax credits and the ENERGY-STAR certifications, check the following links. [] Builder Tax Credits [] Home Owner Tax Credits

For more information on average home costs today. [] Average Home Costs

For more information on Solar Power []