More Dreaded Than Summer In Phoenix!

Whether we like it or not, April 15th is quickly approaching. Time to get those taxes done. Taxes aren’t our area of expertise, but did you know there are many deductions and credits you can take advantage of for being energy efficient?

There are a number of reasons to make your home more energy efficient, but one of the benefits is to deduct expenses and receive credits from energy efficiency upgrades. The IRS’ website states, “Residential energy property is any of the following.

- Certain electric heat pump water heaters; electric heat pumps; central air conditioners; natural gas propane, or oil water heater; and stoves that use biomass fuel.

- Qualified natural gas, propane, or oil furnaces; and qualified natural gas, propane, or oil hot water boilers.

- Certain advanced main air circulating fans used in natural gas, propane, or oil furnaces."

As far as energy efficient property credits, "you may be able to take a credit of 30% of your costs of qualified solar electric property, solar water heating property, fuel cell property, small wind energy property, and geothermal heat pump property. The credit amount for costs paid for qualified fuel cell property is limited to $500 for each one-half kilowatt of capacity of the property."

But not all tax deductions for residential property are strictly energy efficiency upgrades. There are other household expenses you can deduct from your taxes if you have relocated due to employment.

If you meet the requirements, these deductions can apply not only to expenses related to the actual moving of your household items and members, but you can deduct certain costs associated with disconnecting and connecting household utilities.

"There are often household expenses that many have no idea can be deducted from your taxes. Take the time to go over your previous year tax records to see if you missed anything. You may find there are a number of things you missed that you could also be deducting this year." http://www.wahm.com/articles/tips-for-the-wahm-how-to-deduct-household-expenses-from-your-taxes.html

Please consult with a tax pro and don't say you did your taxes strictly based on what we found. We're experts in other areas, not taxes. But if you missed out on tax credits and deductions because you haven't made energy efficiency upgrades to your residential property, we are the pros to talk to! Give us a call.

In A Perfect World

When it comes to the perfect temperature in a room, opinions are like noses; everyone has one. There’s always someone who is going to think is too hot or too cold. So is there no perfect temperature to set every thermostat in the world to that will please everyone? As every person’s internal temperature and preference is different, you can probably guess the answer to that question. But lucky for us, there are some who take it to the next level to try and understand and explain to us, though not always in layman’s terms, just how the slightest change in a room’s temperature can have a major impact on people.

Here are a few studies we found on some common areas we can all relate to…

1.  Does room temperature affect our sleep? In the following article, experts found the temperature of your sleeping area and how comfortable you feel in it affects how well and how long you snooze. 

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/cant-sleep-adjust-the-temperature

2. Does room temperature affect office productivity? Here cited case studies seem to agree that individuals are most productive when they are in a comfortable room temperature. However it's back to finding just what that perfect temperature is that everyone agrees causes discrepancy. 

http://ergonomics.about.com/od/office/a/How-Temperature-Effects-Your-Productivity.htm

3. Why are operating rooms kept so cold? We found plenty of opinions on the answer to this. It came down to two common opinions; first, that colder temperatures help reduce infection, and second, that it’s just plain hot for surgeons and nurses under the OR lights while suited in all of their garb for extended periods of time. We did find one article from 1996 that discussed both reasons and the then-new use of warming blankets to keep patients temperature at an optimal body temperature.  

http://discovermagazine.com/1996/nov/hottimesintheope931#.UyvlIPRDt8E

Well it appears the answer to that question of the perfect room temperature is no. People simply prefer to be comfortable in their surroundings and are generally healthier and more productive when a room’s temperature accommodates that. But if you’re still having trouble finding the perfect temperature and you think we can help, give us a call!

(Image source: http://www.memecenter.com/fun/658183/hot-and-cold-people)

It’s A Dry Heat

We’ve heard it a thousand times here in the valley of the sun, “at least it’s a dry heat.” Though the winter months here in the valley may not be a debate, the summer months are another thing all together! So we go from our air conditioned homes, to our air conditioned offices/schools, back to our air conditioned car, and return to our air conditioned homes once again; and that’s how we survive! But are you and your household members continually at odds over what the temperature of the thermostat in your house should be set at? One person is always too hot, another too cold, of course someone else thinks it’s just right. ;)

Either way, when it gets hot outside, the AC will be turned on! So before the heat actually arrives, it is time to get ready for it. By performing certain tasks before the season is officially upon us, you can avoid many foreseeable issues. A neglected AC unit can cost up to 50% more to run and can lead to many more issues than one that has been properly cared for. If you feel comfortable doing some home maintenance steps yourself, there are some helpful hints we found at the ConsumerEnergy Center website. http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/tips/summerize.html

On the EnergyStar website, there are additional tips they share for cooling down your home or business to get ready for summer. Energy Star is “a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy program to help us all save money and protect our environment through energy efficient products and practices.” http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/cool_change/downloads/CYW_Topfiveways.pdf

If you can’t figure out the problem, call a professional in like Wolff Mechanical. A professional will perform a complete inspection, safety tests, tune-up, cleaning, and perform repairs. Though we don’t guarantee it will stop any squabbles over what the thermostat should be set at, preparing beforehand will keep you from having to make an “emergency” call when temps are soaring and repair people are busy! Your comfort is our top priority, so we pride ourselves on same day service. Call us today at (602) 814-0004.

(Image source: http://www.brooklynartproject.com/photo/help-im-melting)