Sun Tunnels Archives - Heinsight Solutions

Everything You Need To Know About Tax Credits

Summer is coming, and this year is the year! You’re going to remodel your house and add some solar power to help cut down on energy costs! It’s the right move, for sure. We’re here to make sure you know all the ins and outs of solar power before you proceed, so you get the best bang for your buck!

Way more than solar panels – There are many products that qualify for a federal tax credit, than just the huge, roof -sized solar panels. If you project budget doesn’t stretch quite that far, consider something smaller. At Heinsight Solutions, we offer solar powered skylights, solar attic fans, solar blinds, and even a solar powered night light for Sun Tunnels. All of these will help increase energy efficiency in your home, without breaking the bank
Tax Credits – Solar powered products do a lot more than just reduce energy usage. The cost for parts and installation for solar products qualifies for a federal tax credit! Through the end of 2019 the credit is 30%. Through the end of 2020, it’s 26%, and through 2021, it’s 22%. After that, there is a possibility that the credit will go away. That means if you are planning to upgrade to solar, it is best to do it sooner rather than later!
So Many Options – As far as skylights are concerned, your options for solar products are limitless. Fixed or manually venting skylights with solar blinds qualify for the credit; Solar powered skylights with or without blinds qualify; Sun Tunnels with solar night lights qualify! Any time there is an option to add a federal tax credit to one of our estimates, we do it!
Know What You Will Need – In order to apply for the federal tax credit, you will need a copy of your paid invoice with the solar product (parts and labor) itemized out. You will also need a copy of your manufacturer’s certificate – this verifies that the product on the invoice is a solar product. That’s it! It’s a super simple process, as long as you have all of your documents in order.

Now that you are Solar Credit Savvy, what home improvements are you going to make this Summer?

7 Money-Saving Tips From Your Heinsight Solutions Team

When it comes to home improvement, nothing is free. Over the years, we have worked closely with homeowners to develop a system that helps save us time and helps them save some extra money during the project. Here is a list of money-saving recommendations from our team to your family!

Save up! – It can be tempting throw money at a project whenever extra funds are available, but we encourage you to throw the money into savings instead, and wait until you can cover the whole project. This can help cut down on additional labor fees for travel costs, setup and teardown time, and product acquisition. Additionally, saving up can ensure that any financial emergencies that come up do not derail the entire project. Finally, completing the project all at once means you will not have to dig through several different warranties, if an issue were to arise in the future.
Replace – Don’t Repair – Generally, repairing older products can appear to be the cheaper route. In the event that replacement parts are available, a repair option can look like a sweet deal! However, if your products are already out of warranty, replacement is usually the best long term solution.
Buy in bulk – If you are considering a project which has multiples of the same product (skylights or Sun Tunnels, for example), discounts may be available to have them all installed at the same time. Contractors may offer discounts for multiple units, or even lower the labor costs slightly, since the equipment only needs to be set up once.
Refer a friend – Once you have worked with a contractor that you like, it is always a good idea to keep their contact information on hand, in case you need work from them in the future. However, you can take this one step further by recommending a contractor to a family member or friend. Helping local businesses expand their community can do more than just generate good karma! Often, businesses will offer discounts on future work in exchange for referrals. Plus, your friends will thank you for sending them to a contractor that you trust!
Co-create your estimates – Most contractors will do an estimate, prior to work being done. If you can keep your contractor informed on expectations you may have, it will help to eliminate surprises once the estimate arrives. For example, if you have a budget range in mind, a discount you would like to request, or if you have materials on site that could be used to complete the project, make sure to inform the contractor up front! This can save time, and ensure that no unnecessary materials or charges are included on your estimate.
Buy from reputable brands – Getting a used product, or a cheaper brand may make you feel like you saved money. However, cheaper products can require additional maintenance and upkeep, and are more likely to need repairs sooner. Buying a high quality product that is a bit more expensive can save you the hassle and expense of future repairs. In addition, these products tend to come with better warranties, which means that if an issue develops in the future, it may already be covered
Ask about incentives – Many home improvement projects come with rebates, incentives or credits that you can get after installation is complete. For example, from now until the end of 2019, all solar products qualify your project for a 30% federal tax credit. While we do our best to mention this to every customer, it doesn’t hurt to do your homework prior to starting your project to make sure you are getting your money’s worth!

Best of 2018 Installations

2018 has been a phenomenal year! We wanted to take a moment to share some of our favorite installations from this year, with hopes that next year will be even better! Feel free to share your own photos on our Facebook page, and tell us what your favorite part of 2018 was!

January 2018, Fort Collins

6 skylights were installed on this roof, and were showing signs of breakdown due to age…. continue reading »

5 Tips for Dealing with Storm Damage

Skylights, Sun Tunnels, and Storms

As we move into the Summer months, storm damage from hail, wind, and heavy rain can become a major concern. While new VELUX skylights and Sun Tunnels are built to stand up to many types of severe weather, older skylights, from any brand, are not always so resilient. If you experience a break or a leak in your skylight, the project can feel daunting from the beginning. Here are a few tips to make sure you are in good hands while dealing with storm damage.

Stay Calm – If you notice a leak in your skylight or Sun Tunnel during a storm, your first instinct may be to rush onto the roof and get it covered. In the middle of a storm, this can be dangerous and could even provoke further leak issues. Instead, take a deep breath, place a bucket under the area where the leak is most prominent, and check on it periodically to see if it needs to be emptied. It may be helpful to research a few local contractors while you wait out the storm, so you know who to call when you are ready to have someone assess the damage.

Shop local – When a big storm moves in, often storm chasers come with it. While working with a nomadic business does not necessarily mean the work will be low quality, it does mean that the contractor will be more difficult to get ahold of if future issues occur. Working with a local business ensures that warranties will be honored, and you will have access to the business for follow ups, service calls, and future work. VELUX offers an installer locator, which can help you find a local contractor that is backed by the VELUX guarantee. Remember to always check reviews, and ask around for recommendations!

Get multiple estimates – While a sense of urgency is to be expected, going with the first estimate you get may mean you do not have all of the information to move forward. This is especially true if your estimate does not come from a skylight specialist. Even though finding a reputable contractor can take some time, it is well worth the wait, to ensure that your skylights are replaced by someone who knows what they are doing, and will keep you in the loop on the project. One person you shouldn’t forget to call is your insurance agent. Often, storm damage is covered under your homeowner’s insurance policy. This could mean the difference between paying out of pocket, and having all of the repairs covered!

Coordinate roof damage – Generally, a storm that breaks through your skylight will also cause significant damage to your roof. Since the most cost-efficient time to replace your skylights is during re-roof, coordinating these two projects can save you money and offer coinciding warranties. Often, a roofing contractor will contact a local skylight company, and set up the installation themselves, which can save you the trouble of coordinating both jobs. Informing your roofer that you would like both projects completed at the same time will ensure that the skylights are not skipped over.

Be proactive – When you choose a contractor to work with, they can help you put a plan in place to make sure that you are prepared to deal with the next storm that moves in. If you are in an area that is prone to golf-ball sized hail, consider adding impact glass to your skylights or Sun Tunnels. If you are concerned about future leaks, ask about the VELUX no-leak guarantee. Equipping your skylights for the next storm will leave you feel peaceful and prepared.

6 Ways a Skylight Can Improve Your Life

Installing a skylight can be an intimidating process, if you haven’t given it a lot of thought. Part of our job at Heinsight Solutions is to help you see the end result of the project before it has even begun! Below are several of our favorite ways that a skylight can improve your life!

Cut down on energy costs

Skylights and Sun Tunnels will reduce the number of times you need to turn on the lights during the day. Even on the cloudiest days, natural light will stream in through your skylight and reduce the need for electricity. Installing a skylight that opens will also cut down on air conditioning costs, by improving circulation and ventilation in the house!

Bring in fresh air

Speaking of ventilation, skylights that open ensure that even on the days when you simply cannot leave the house, you are breathing some fresh outdoor air. This doubles as a safety feature! If there is smoke inside of the home – just open the skylights up to help get the smoke out.

File for tax credits

Starting in May of 2018, there will be a tax credit option for almost every VELUX skylight or Sun Tunnel option. So, while your solar powered skylight is paying itself off with energy savings, you will be reaping the benefits of a credit on your federal taxes for 30% of the cost of the job! Whether it’s a solar powered skylight, blinds, or a night light for your Sun Tunnel, we can make sure that we save you every penny with tax credits!

Soak up the natural daylight

Ok, this one seems obvious. But did you know that natural daylight can help to eliminate depressive symptoms? We’re not doctors, but we think this is a pretty excellent unintended side effect of home improvement! This benefit extends to your adorable pets, who love to bask in the sunlight.

Open up those small rooms

Some rooms just never seem big enough. Modern home builders are adding extra windows to make the space appear larger, and we recommend this on your fifth wall (in other words, your ceiling) too! A skylight will make the ceiling seem higher and brighter, while a Sun Tunnel carry light into the corners of the room that are not reached by lamp light.

Increase the value of your home

Even if you’re not in your forever-home, yet, adding skylights to your current house is a wise design idea, for the simple fact that it raises the curb-appeal and value of your home. A skylight installed by a competent contractor can bring in modern home buyers that are looking for move-in ready homes.

February 2018 Featured Project – Sun Tunnels

This homeowner was looking to add some natural light into a long hallway, where the light always seemed to be on. After a simple four hour installation, the hallway is completely transformed! Each Sun Tunnel features a light kit, which operates on the same switch the existing overhead lights worked on. This way, the homeowners are able to light their hallway during the evening hours as well!