If you check your calendar today, you’ll see there are only 21 more days left in 2010. As a reminder, new purchases of qualified windows and doors are eligible for up to $1,500 in federal tax credits, but you'd better hurry. All qualified products must be installed by December 31, 2010 to be considered.

Remember, there are many benefits to replacing your older windows and doors - energy savings, improved style, greater comfort, increase in home value and tax credits. It’s an investment that offers great results, both in the short term and long term.

To qualify for the stimulus tax credit, the windows and doors must:

• Have a U-Factor and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) equal to, or less than, .30 to qualify.
• Be placed in service between January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010. Placed in service is defined as when the property is ready and available for use.
• Be installed in the taxpayer's primary residence. Garage doors must be installed into an insulated garage to qualify.

For more information on energy efficient windows and doors and how to qualify for the federal tax credits, visit JELD-WEN’s website: http://www.jeld-wen.com/learn/save-money/306?icid=TCCAL040

It’s a dilemma that many builders, architects and homeowners interested in sustainable building design continually face – it’s one thing to say you’re building green, it’s an entirely different and time-consuming challenge to be able to prove it.

That’s why JELD-WEN has introduced an innovative new online tool created to solve these issues quickly and easily. Called GreenDoc and found on www.jeld-wen.com, this free solution allows users to evaluate the company’s products against any of the major green building rating systems such as LEED, National Green Building Standard, Green Globes and others. It performs the necessary product calculations required by these programs to determine exactly how selected JELD-WEN products contribute to certification. Better yet, GreenDoc generates clear, specific documentation that these programs require for substantiation – a first for the industry.

“Anyone familiar with building green knows the incredible amount of work it takes to figure out which products contribute toward credits and how to compile the detailed documentation required,” said Jay DeKalb, JELD-WEN technical product manager. “This tool makes it simple and straightforward.”

JELD-WEN’s GreenDoc system factors in environmentally preferred product attributes, including energy efficiency,  recycled content, no-added-formaldehyde (NAF) compliance, durability and more. Not only does GreenDoc perform the product calculations required by green building rating systems, it also reveals whether the product has other green advantages, such as made-in-the-U.S., termite resistance or promoting better indoor air quality.

All of this critical information is served up in a PDF document that can be printed and saved for certification submission. The GreenDoc tool is a key feature in JELD-WEN’s new high-performance website in the Pro Center section at www.jeld-wen.com.  Users simply need to follow an easy three-step process:

1.     Select products for evaluation

2.     Evaluate products against a rating system(s) of your choice

3.     Print the documentation on JELD-WEN letterhead for spec submission

“Whether you’re interested in certification or simply want to choose environmentally preferred products, this tool provides some great benefits,” said DeKalb. “It’s accessible anytime, you can save multiple projects and it makes the project documentation very simple. It also provides always-up-to-date credits, definitions and calculations for each program.” 

If you're at the Greenbuild 2010 Expo next week in Chicago, stop by the JELD-WEN booth and get a personalized demonstration of the new online tool.

Homeowners across the country are taking a fresh look at their homes and evaluating their remodeling and DIY needs.

When determining what remodeling projects are most deserving, homeowners should consider that windows offer some of the biggest payoffs. According to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost Vs. Value Report, when updating windows, homeowners can expect up to an 85 percent return on investment. Coupled with the energy cost savings, it usually pays to replace.

Below is a checklist to help homeowners decide if replacing windows is the right choice.

1. Examine Your Existing Windows

If your window shows signs of wear and tear or exposure, such as cracked paint, but operates normally, then it’s likely time to refinish it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If vinyl windows show signs of seal failure between the glass panes, or wood windows have severe warping due to moisture or wood decay, then it’s time to replace.

2. Evaluate Problems

In addition to normal wear and tear and energy efficiency, there are a few other indicators that window replacement is needed. Signs to look for include:

• Problems opening or closing. In older homes, wood windows may have been painted over numerous times or may have become severely warped due to age and weather conditions. Windows that don’t open and close easily or properly are more than just annoying; they are a safety issue and a sign that it’s time to replace them.

• Drafts. There are many tests to determine if a window is drafty, such as placing a lighted candle next to the window to see if the flame moves. If it does, your windows are drafty and your energy bills are paying the price and it is time to replace.

• Excess noise. Older, single-pane windows don’t block as much noise as new double-pane windows. If you can hear your neighbors chatting across the street as they are getting their mail, it’s probably time to upgrade your windows.

3. Consider Energy Efficiency

Classic signs of inefficient windows include condensation, drafts and warped frames due to moisture. If energy efficiency is the top priority or water infiltration is an issue, the best choice is to replace poorly performing windows and patio doors with ENERGY STAR qualified windows. Manufacturers such as JELD-WEN offer wood, vinyl and aluminum ENERGY STAR qualified windows.

4. Determine How Much Impact Replacement Will Have on a Home

Upgrading to energy efficient windows has become much easier as new products and technology emerges. In the past, window replacement has been a more complex project best suited for professional contractors or highly skilled do-it-yourselfers. However, replacement windows, such as JELD-WEN’s Wood Double-Hung Pocket Window and Vinyl replacement windows, make it easier and less expensive.

When choosing replacement windows, look for ones that are designed for installation into existing window frames to help make sure the impact to the exterior of the home is minimal. This is key especially for brick or stucco exteriors. By using replacement windows designed to fit into existing openings, the process is simpler, quicker and minimizes wear on the exterior siding.

5. Evaluate the Need for a Contractor

If you can’t do the replacement on your own, hiring a contractor may be the best way to go. Hiring a contractor can save time, cut down on stress and ensure projects are done correctly. When hiring a contractor be sure to interview several candidates, ask for references and don’t automatically choose the lowest bidder. Insist that they follow proper installation instructions from the manufacturer to ensure reliable performance.

For more information about JELD-WEN replacement windows, or to find a dealer near you, visit www.jeld-wen.com or call 800-877-9482.

October is Energy Awareness Month, which means it’s a great time to prepare your house for the cold weather months. For fall and winter energy saving tips, JELD-WEN offers homeowners the following advice for increasing efficiency and comfort this season:

 1.      Give your home an energy makeover: A survey or audit of your home’s energy usage and costs can identify specific ways you can reduce your home energy bills. Visit www.energystar.gov for more details.

 2.      Mind the gap: Seal and weather-strip your windows and doors to ensure you’re not wasting energy. You can save up to 10 percent on your energy bills if done properly.

 3.      Let the sun do the work: Keep blinds or drapes on sun-exposed windows open during the day to help heat your home.

 4.      Clean it up: During heavy-usage months, air filters get dirty more often, slowing airflow and making a system work harder and waste energy. Regularly check your air filter and replace it as needed to avoid dirt buildup.

 5.      Make an upgrade: Replacing single-pane windows with double-pane windows can save you big on energy costs each year. JELD-WEN offers a wide variety of ENERGY STAR qualified products with Low-E glass to improve your home’s energy efficiency. 

It’s the first day of Energy Awareness Month 2010 and a perfect time for homeowners everywhere to give inefficient windows and doors the cold shoulder.

According to a recent study commissioned by JELD-WEN, a leading manufacturer of windows and doors and a 2010 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year, nearly 26 percent of homeowners say what they dislike most about their existing windows and doors is that they are drafty and inefficient. As the temperature outside drops, homeowners notice that these inefficiencies quickly turn into rising utility bills.

As much as half of the energy used in a home goes toward heating and cooling, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. To minimize the energy and dollars spent to heat a home this winter, it’s essential that windows and doors are energy efficient.

“Energy efficient windows and doors are crucial to maintaining a home’s comfort during even the coldest months,” says Brian Hedlund, product marketing manager for JELD-WEN. “Homeowners who replace single-pane glass windows with ENERGY STAR qualified products can save hundreds of dollars on energy costs annually, according to ENERGY STAR.”

To maximize a home’s energy efficiency, consider the following tips:

1.    Start at the front

A home’s front door can play a vital role as one of the first lines of defense against the elements. If a door does not close properly or lets in a draft, a homeowner’s utility bills can pay the price. Homeowners should check the weather-stripping and any gaps around the door that can let heat escape. If these features cannot be easily fixed, it may be time to replace the door.

2.    Glass matters

Choosing windows with insulated Low-E glass is an important step in making a room more energy efficient because the special coating helps reflect some of the interior heat back into the home. These double-paned windows also greatly enhance energy efficiency, compared to single-paned windows.

 Vinyl windows have become exceedingly popular because of their low maintenance and energy efficient features. For homeowners who prefer wood windows, manufacturers like JELD-WEN have introduced “pocket” replacement windows that come with Low-E glass and are designed for installation into existing window frames, which makes the process simpler, quicker and less damaging to a home’s structure.

3.    Drive home efficiency

The garage is often forgotten when it comes to energy efficiency, but it’s one of the largest entry points of the home. The temperature of a garage greatly affects the overall temperature of the entire home. For energy savings in the garage, find a proper-fitting garage door and make sure that the door leading from the garage to the inside of the home is also energy efficient.

4.    Energy efficiency pays off

Beyond the initial purchase price of a product, consider the long-term value that energy efficient products offer in terms of annual measurable savings. Homeowners who make energy efficient updates to their home, including windows and doors, can qualify for up to $1,500 in federal tax credits if installed by Dec. 31, 2010.

For more information about energy efficient windows and doors, visit www.jeld-wen.com or call (800) 877-9482. And check back here during the month for additional energy efficiency tips and ideas.