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- Getting the ‘green seal’ of approval
- Tax incentives for energy-efficient home improvements
- Keeping employees engaged
- Understanding health insurance options
- What are you worth?
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Going green costs extra money. But companies increasingly see the advantage of being as energy efficient as possible.
Moseley Architects took an old, contaminated structure and renovated it into its chic industrial headquarters, building such features as a green roof, bamboo ceilings, cork flooring and work station dividers made from sunflower seeds.
President Bill Mills said there is no doubt it cost more. But the company was into the spirit of building an energy efficient building.
Besides, the building is a living laboratory, a showplace for clients interested in going green and for architects inspired to do green design.
It may take years to recoup the cost. Is it worth it?
Federal and state tax incentives also provide a way for householders to save money on energy costs.
The federal government offers tax credits for energy-efficient home improvements and Virginia is offering tax rebates.
Federal tax credits
Federal tax credits are available at 30 percent of the cost, up to $1,500, in 2009 and 2010, on existing homes only, for:
—windows and doors
—insulation
—metal and asphalt roofs
—HVAC systems
—non-solar water heaters
—biomass stoves
Federal tax credits are available at 30 percent of the cost, with no upper limit through 2016, on existing homes and new construction, for:
—geothermal heat pumps
—solar panels
—solar water heaters
—small wind energy systems
—fuel cells
To qualify for the tax credits, the home improvements:
—must be placed in service during Jan.1, 2009, through Dec. 31, 2010
—must be for taxpayer’s principal residence, except for geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, solar panels, and small wind energy systems, where second homes qualify
—must have a Manufacturer Certification Statement to qualify
For record keeping, save your receipts and the Manufacturer Certification Statement.
If you are building a new home, you can qualify for the tax credit for geothermal heat pumps, photovoltaics, solar water heaters, small wind energy systems and fuel cells, but not the tax credits for windows, doors, insulation, roofs, HVAC, or non-solar water heaters.
Virginia tax rebates
Virginia will provide up to $15 million in tax rebates for energy efficiency measures and equipment to retrofit homes and commercial property and up to $15 million in rebates for renewable energy equipment and systems for residential and commercial applications.
Eligible residential and commercial property owners wishing to receive a rebate through the Virginia Energy Efficiency Rebate or Renewable Energy Rebate programs will be required to complete an application form, which will be available online from the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy by Nov. 1. Applicants can take the first step to sign up for news on both rebate programs at this link:
http://www.virginia.gov/eerebates
When the web-based reservation and application process goes “live,” applicants will be able to reserve funding for proposed projects and will be allowed a reasonable amount of time to complete the project and provide required documentation before a rebate is approved.
The total rebates paid cannot exceed $2,000 for a residential property if no energy audit is conducted, $2,250 for a residential property if an eligible energy audit is conducted, $4,000 for a commercial property if no energy audit is conducted, or $4,250 for a commercial property if an eligible energy audit is conducted.
If they meet minimum required standards for energy efficiency, measures and equipment qualifying for the state tax rebate include: energy audits; central air conditioners; air source heat pumps; natural gas or propane furnaces; oil furnaces; gas, propane or oil hot water boilers; . gas, oil or propane tankless water heaters; high-efficiency gas storage water heaters; electric heat pump water heaters; geo-thermal heat pumps; insulation and air sealing; replacement windows, doors and skylights; storm windows and storm doors; programmable thermostats; and for commercial property applicants, commercial lighting upgrades, commercial high efficiency motors and drives, and compressed air or steam system upgrades.
One thing to consider during this recession: keeping employees engaged so they don’t run for another company as soon as the economy rebounds.
“Once the economy turns around disgruntled employees will certainly begin to consider a job change,“ said Lori Dernavich, a business advisor and owner of Lori Dernavich LLC. “The key to retaining star employees is to keep the lines of communication open with them to gain an understanding of what they’re going through and to show them that you acknowledge their hard work.“
Dernavich’s tips to keep employees engaged:
1. Share the company’s long- and short-term vision
2. Be truthful about how the economy is impacting the company
3. Seek input and opinions from employees and give them ownership over their work.
4. Make sure employees have the resources to get their jobs done.
5. Praise employees sincerely and when you need to give negative feedback, make it constructive.
6. Don’t assume you know the desired career path of your employees. Work with employees to devise a plan that encourages their development and is positive for the company.
7. Create rewards that mean something.
8. Encourage team interaction.
9. Provide opportunities to learn and grow.
10. Provide feedback and follow through on promises.
This is the time of year when many companies let employees change their health plans or health plan options. A story in the Moneywise section of today’s Times-Dispatch talks to human resource officers and health plan representatives about trends in health benefits.
Left unsaid is the fact that many Americans don’t have any health insurance. Instead, they rely on the safety net system of public hospitals, charity care, free clinics, etc. to get care. These agencies do good work, but even they realize they are only putting a bandage on the problem.
But that’s another topic. Click here to see the Times-Dispatch’s series of stories on health care reform.
If you have health insurance, you need to know what your plan covers and what it costs you. Many plans have online tools that help you compare plans and options. Here are some Web sites and resources to help you understand your benefits:
•Free download or print copy of Navigating Your Health Benefits for Dummies .
•Virginia Health Information health insurance consumer guide.
•The federal government’s Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality .
More than half of all Americans are worried they won’t have enough money to live the lifestyle they want when they retire, according to a Gallop Poll and FeedThePig.org.
How much are you worth?
Use this Retirement Estimator Calculator from The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants to find out your Social Security earnings.
Social Security isn’t the only income source you can have.
A look at some of your other income options:
Stocks or mutual fund investments
Savings accounts or CDs
Annuities or insurance plans
Home equity
Pension plans
More information about retirement planning.
