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Did you know you could get a tax credit just for updating your home’s windows or roof? The IRS offers a substantial tax credit when you make your home more energy efficient by improving the insulation of your home. With the end of 2015 drawing near, now is the time to get the new windows, insulation or roof you need and qualify to write part of the cost off as a tax credit on your 2015 tax return.

How the Tax Credit Works

The IRS will allow a tax credit for up to 10% of the purchase price of home improvement products that can decrease your energy use. This includes exterior doors, windows, roofing, insulation and even some furnace purchases. The products must be part of the pre-approved list of energy efficient options, often have the Energy Star rating. There are limits on the total amount of credit you can use, regardless of the total cost of your products.

To find out what products are covered, you can look up the list of covered products and how much you can use as a tax credit on the IRS website at www.irs.gov under individual tax credits for homeowners. The credit is only for the product costs, not to be used against the cost of installation.

Now is the time to upgrade your windows and roof to a more efficient option. You could save hundreds of dollars every year off your energy costs, plus get a tax credit you can use right away on your 2015 federal tax return. Some states also offer an energy credits toward their state tax returns. To learn more, talk to your tax professional and call a local contractor that installs energy efficient roofing and windows today!

Posted on behalf of:
Atwood Home Builders
227 W 8^th Ave
Homestead, PA 15120
(412) 638-1262

So you dropped your iPhone in the toilet or it got sat on in the car – your touchscreen doesn’t work, you can’t even see text through all the cracks on your glass or the speakers sound like an old CB radio, so it is time for a new phone. Or is it? Did you know that most accidental damage can be repaired at a local cell phone repair store the same day for a fraction of the cost of replacing your iPhone or other smartphone? Here are 5 common repairs that can be completed usually while you wait at a local cell phone repair service.

1. Cracked screens. The number one nemesis of any smartphone including iPhones is the cracked screen. It just takes a little pressure or a slight impact and those cracks start covering the display. This is one of the most common repairs completed at cell phone repair stores.
2. Non-charging batteries. Whether your battery was water damaged or is just worn out, a non-charging battery can be swapped out in minutes at a local repair store.
3. Speaker issues. Microphones and speakers on your iPhone can become damaged or wear out. In most cases you can have them repaired or replaced on the spot.
4. Touchscreen repairs. If the touchscreen interface is not working like it should, it may be damaged or need replacement.
5. Internal issues. If your iPhone is not functioning correctly, you may have internal software or app issues. Most cell phone repair services can trouble shoot your iPhone and often resolve common internal issues right in a store in your city.

Don’t waste money on buying a new phone or go through the hassle of sending your iPhone to a repair service in another state. Next time you damage your iPhone or begin having technical issues, call your local cell phone repair store to schedule a same day iPhone repair.

Posted on behalf of:
iDeviceMD
1570 Old Alabama Rd
Roswell, GA 30076
(678) 869-9899

Just like any vehicle, your golf or utility cart needs regular routine maintenance to keep it running great. Whether your cart is used every day for your business or only on occasion for recreation, you still need to keep up on servicing the engine. Although golf carts are smaller and simpler than a car or truck, they still require many of the same maintenance services. Some of the maintenance that should be done includes:

• Oil changes. Just like any vehicle, your golf cart will need oil and filter changes to keep the engine properly lubricated.
• Battery replacement. Especially on electrical carts, battery maintenance and replacement should be done according to the manufacturer recommendations. Don’t wait to be left stranded with a dead battery out on the course or in the woods before you replace that old battery.
• Tires and brakes. Have your tires and brakes inspected at least annually for safety, especially for golf carts that have been customized to be street legal.
• Tune-ups. Make sure you stay on track with your regular engine tune-ups to ensure all your components are functioning properly and all fluids are kept at the right levels. An ounce of prevention is always worth the proverbial pound of cure.

Not sure what your golf cart’s maintenance requirements are? Check your owner’s manual or call your local golf cart retail and service center. Your local golf cart store can give you the standard maintenance expectations for different golf cart models and when they should be performed. To ensure the maintenance is done correctly and meets your vehicle warranty standards, bring your cart to a service center that specializes in golf cart maintenance and repairs.

Posted on behalf of:
Action Specialty Carts
1891 McFarland Pkwy
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 888-0892

You wash your car, your dog and even your lawn mower, but when was the last time you washed your home? Pollen, mildew, dirt and grime can collect on the exterior surfaces of your home, making it look rundown and decrepit. If allowed to remain on your home, substances like mildew can even stain or damage the surface of your home. What you need is a professional pressure washing service.

Why Hire a Professional for Pressure Washing Your Home?

You may be thinking you could save money by pressure washing your home yourself. After all, you can rent a pressure washer even if you don’t own one – how hard could it be? However, there are some good reasons to leave pressure washing the exterior of your home to the professionals. Here are a few of those reasons:

• Damage to your siding. Many home sidings can be damaged by the force of high pressure water if you are not careful. Surfaces like stucco are delicate and by trying to save a few bucks doing it yourself, you could do thousands of dollars in damage.
• Safety. If you have a two-story home, cleaning your entire exterior will require climbing on ladders while managing to hold onto a pressure washer. Don’t risk injury; let the insured experts do this dangerous work.
• Water run-off. Some cities have laws about collecting gray water run-off; don’t get in trouble with the law just because you didn’t want to hire a professional.

Cleaning the exterior of your home can make it look new again and protect it from damage. Call your local pressure washing professionals to have your home cleaned before the winter months roll in.

Posted on behalf of:
Impact Pressure Washing
105 Commerce Drive
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(678) 697-7127

If you have a brick or masonry chimney that is decades old, it is important to know the signs of disrepair. A damaged chimney can be very dangerous; it can put your home at risk of a chimney fire or the chimney could fall, causing injury or property damage. Here are a few signs that it may be time to schedule a chimney inspection:

• White substance. The white substance that accumulates on chimneys is called effloresence and is caused by excess moisture. While this white staining is not harmful, it is a sign of too much moisture that can damage your masonry.
• Leaning chimney. Masonry chimneys depend on a solid, even foundation. If a chimney is leaning, the foundation most likely has settled. It is only a matter of time before gravity wins the war and the structure begins to fall.
• Cracks and spalling. When the masonry begins to show signs of erosion, you need chimney repair. Cracks between the bricks and spalling, which is when pieces of masonry begin chipping off the outside of the chimney, are signs of damage from erosion or moisture.
• Shaling. Sometimes the problem is inside the chimney. Shaling is when small shingles begin to fall off inside the flue, accumulating in the fireplace. If the flue lining is damaged it can put your home at risk for a fire, so don’t wait to schedule an inspection.

Considering the important role your chimney places in your heating system, it is vital to keep it in good repair. If your chimney has any of these signs, schedule a chimney inspection with your local chimney service contractor that handles masonry and foundation repairs.

Posted on behalf of:
Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs
Marietta, GA
(770) 422-2924