Congress has just extended the $2,000 federal tax credit for builders of energy efficient homes! Included in the compromise legislation aimed at averting the fiscal cliff, the legislation extends the $2,000 tax credit retroactively from January 1, 2012 through December 31^st 2013.

There is one significant change to the extension. The reference home has been changed to the 2006 IECC home (in former versions it was the 2003 IECC home). Due to this change, floor plans/components that previously passed the tax credit might not meet the new threshold. Also, the software and reports must be updated which will take some time. We will inform you as soon as the updated reports are ready for distribution.

For more details about the tax credit and to see if you qualify, please contact Andrea Palmer at GWS. 888-488-0206 or buildersupport@gwssi.com

The old federal tax credit had reference home of 2003. The new tax credit has a new reference home of 2006. Architectural Energy's RemRate software does not yet have a 2006 reference home built in yet, so any calculations using their software is not valid for new federal tax credit.

All GWS HERS Raters must submit 2012 completed homes by January 15th. Submit your sticker requests, archive files and QA requests before the January 15th deadline so we can appropriately report information to EPA and RESNET. Send all information to  ratersupport@gwssi.com. 

Just released from RESNET is the new HERS marketing logo! This logo is available for builders that rate 100% of their homes to the RESNET HERS Index. It does not replace the HERS Index sticker on the rated home, but it is a way to market services in print material and online. If you would like access to use the logo or information about the usage guidelines please contact Andrea Palmer at GWS.