Metal Roofing FAQ November/December 2008:
Metal Roofing Benefits from the "Bail Out" Bill

As you probably are aware, in October 2008, President Bush signed into law the $700 billion Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (H.R. 1424), commonly known as the "Wall Street Bail Out" plan. What you may not know, however, is that in addition to helping the banking industry, the bill also includes provisions beneficial to the metal roofing industry.Specifically, the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008, which was attached to H.R. 1424, provided extensions to tax incentives for renewable energy technologies and for energy efficiency improvements.

As a result, extensions were given to the tax incentives that were originally a part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 05). Some of those incentives had expired at the end of 2007. But now, they are alive for at least another year and even longer in some cases. The EPAct 05 law provided tax incentives for renovation to homes including up to a $500 tax credit for homeowners who install an Energy Star labeled prepainted metal roof. The newly signed "bail out" bill now renews that $500 homeowner tax credit for metal roofs installed in calendar year 2009. That's a message that we in the metal roofing industry need to begin communicating to consumers right away.

>Consumer Messages
Based on tracking results of visitors to the MRA Web site, information on the tax benefits of installing a metal roof ranks very high in consideration when making their roofing choices. The tax credit message is very compelling to consumers.

We've listed below a consumer-friendly message that we encourage all metal roofing manufacturers and contractors to feature in communications with |homeowners and contractors, as it will help support everyone's sales efforts:"As a result of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, homeowners who install an Energy Star labeled pre-painted cool metal roof in 2009 may be eligible for a tax credit up to $500."

Detailed Industry Information
The tax incentive pertains to "qualified energy efficient improvements" which are, as defined by the new law: any energy efficient building envelope component which meets the prescriptive criteria for such component established by the 2000 IECC (or in the case of a metal roof with appropriate pigmented coatings or an asphalt roof with appropriate cooling granules, which meet the ENERGY STAR program requirements).

Incentives for Contractors
Other tax incentives from the EPAct 05 bill were extended. The new home tax credit of $2, 000 for contractors who build dwellings with annual heating/cooling energy usage reduced by 50% compared to a standard dwelling complying with the 2004 Supplement to the IECC are extended through 2009. And the commercial tax deduction of up to $1.80/ft(sq.) for building owners who design a structure that achieves a 50% reduction in annual energy cost compared to a base building defined by ASRAE 90.1-2001 is now extended through 2013. Those savings in energy costs refer only to heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting and water heating.

Tom Black, Executive Director of the Metal Roofing Alliance answers frequently asked questions about the use of metal roofing in residential applications.