Financial Incentives for Quad-Lock products

Besides the enormous energy-savings from Quad-Lock products, local, state, and federal authorities and many electric utility companies provide incentives for highly energy efficient construction and retrofits that can be achieved using Quad-Lock products. Some of them and good resource sites are listed below for the
USA and Canada.

USA

A great place to search most available programs is the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE)

In this section: Energy Efficient Mortgages | Energy Bill's Tax Incentives | State & Local Programs | Electric Utility Programs

Energy Efficient Mortgages for Owners

More and more lenders provide so-called "Energy Efficient Mortgages" (EEM). These mortgages recognize the fact that highly energy efficient homes cost less to operate. This in effect increases a borrower's income - money in your pocket or to qualify for higher mortgage amounts/shorter terms.

Example: How an Energy Efficient Home Pays for Itself and then some

- Borrower finances 100%
of energy improvements
- 6.0% 30-year mortgage

Standard
Mortgage

EEM

Energy Improvement Costs

-

$6,000

Appraisal Value

$200,000

$206,000

Down Payment

$20,000

$20,000

Mortgage Amount

$180,000

$186,000

P & I

$1,079

$1,115

Monthly Energy Savings

-

-$80

Total Monthly Payments

$1,079

$1,035

This means that even after you paid for the additional cost of Quad-Lock you're still saving another $44/month, $528/year, and more with rising energy costs...

- Borrower finances 100% of energy improvements - 6.0% 30-year mortgage	Standard Mortgage	EEM
Energy Improvement Costs	-	$6,000
Appraisal Value	$200,000	$206,000
Down Payment	$20,000	$20,000
Mortgage Amount	$180,000	$186,000
P & I	$1,079	$1,115
Monthly Energy Savings	-	-$80
Total Monthly Payments	$1,079	$1,035

Steps:

Pre-qualify with an EEM Lender (see Dept. of Energy Listing)
Evaluation of home's energy efficiency (e.g. inspection by a professional energy rater, see RESnet Rating Providers)

USA Tax Incentives for Energy Efficient Buildings

For Home Improvements: R-ETRO System Installations qualify for a Tax Credit for Homeowners of 30% of cost up to $1,500. Download our Manufacturer's Certification Statement for your tax records. Expires: Dec. 31, 2010

For Commercial Owners / Tenants

For New Construction: The Energy Bill includes tax incentives to build more energy efficient commercial buildings. Constructing the building envelope with Quad-Lock Insulating Concrete Forms by itself can meet or come close to the requirements for those incentives (depending on climate, chosen R-value, and other factors).

A one-time tax deduction of up to $1.80 per square foot is available to eligible owners or tenants (or designers, in the case of government-owned buildings) of new or existing commercial buildings designed to reduce the total annual energy and power costs [..] by 50 percent or more in comparison to a reference building which meets the minimum requirements of ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2001.

Partial deductions of up to $0.60 per square foot can be taken for comparable reductions from any one of three building systems - the building envelope, lighting, or heating and cooling system - that meets goals consistent with achieving the 50% savings for the entire building.

A mechanical engineer will calculate the energy performance based on ASHRAE 90.1-2001.

For more information view the IRS Instructions & IRS Guidance or visit the Tax Incentive Assistance Project or Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction Coalition. The relevant sections in the "Energy Policy Act of 2005" are Title XIII, Subtitle C: Sections 1331 & 179D.

State and Local Programs

State and local energy programs provide various rebates, incentives, and credits for energy efficient construction to builders and owners. Since so many programs are available, start by contacting your State Energy Office at the DoE's State Energy Program (SEP) website. Also check the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE).

California

The California tax credit - 5% of the purchase price, up to a maximum of $10,000 - is intended for buyers of newly built homes. Learn More.

Louisiana

Eligible homeowners affected by Hurricanes Rita or Katrina may receive up to $150,000 in compensation. The Road Home program also provides assistance to homeowners with the "Build Safer, Stronger, Smarter" campaign for homes to withstand hurricanes. ICF construction is ideal for many of the program's objectives of Resistance to Winds and wind-borne debris, Energy Efficiency, and Resistance to moisture, mold and decay. Learn more.

Electric Utility Programs

Also contact your local electric utility company to find out about any energy efficiency rebates, incentives and programs the company may offer for builders or owners. The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) is a good starting point.

Canada

A multitude of financial and other incentives are available in Canada for energy-efficient new construction and retrofits. A good place to start researching them is the Office of Energy Efficiency. Some of the programs are:

For more info, also refer to the OEE's Directory of Programs or the Incentives Database by Environment Canada, which also include provincial and municipal incentives.