RALEIGH, N.C. — Trees Across Raleigh, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the City of Raleigh’s appearance, fostering greater community pride, and promoting economic development by planting trees throughout the city, will sponsor “Spring Day in the Park” in Pullen Park on Saturday, March 29th starting at 9 a.m.

Since then, over 3500 volunteers have planted more than 7000 trees in public rights-of-way, medians, and parks at a value of over $930,000.

Read More:CarolinaNewsWire

ARA) – Regular auto maintenance is imperative to ensure your car is functioning at its best. While oil changes and seasonal preparation are important, one of the most critical parts of your car to maintain is also something that is often overlooked – the tires.

“The truth is that your driving experience is only as good as the tires on your car. And because your tires are the only thing that come between you and the road, it is important to get the right tires so you get the safest driving experience,” says Rick Brennan, executive at Kumho Tire USA.

High performance tires are a great option to help ensure your safety on the road. Most new cars come equipped with performance tires to match today’s more sophisticated handling packages — heavy-duty suspension systems, anti-lock braking systems, increased load-bearing potential and more. High performance tires not only accommodate driving at higher speeds but also perform more safely, especially in the most challenging conditions: slick, rainy roads; tight cornering; and quick stops. So although they cost a bit more, the tradeoff in increased safety is worth the investment.

“Even if you drive a luxury vehicle, performance tires can be beneficial. A high performance tire can deliver 2 percent better braking in a 60-to-zero situation. It appears to be a small number, but that equals about 5 to 6 feet difference, which could be the difference between an accident or not,” comments Brennan.

Why put off shopping for new tires when they are such a crucial part of your safety while driving? Here are the basics to get you started:

Load Index
Your current tire will have a size stamped on the sidewall. It will look something like: 215/55R16 93V. The “93″ is referred to as your load index followed by a single letter (V) identifying the tire’s speed rating. The load index is the indication of weight the tire can carry safely. It is dangerous to have a load index less than the number that is specified. If you have an improper load index, you could have a blowout.

Speed Rating
A common trade off for a higher speed rating is a less comfortable ride. For instance an “S” speed-rated tire will give a more comfortable ride compared to “H” speed-rated tire, but the “H” will function better at higher speeds. The ride comfort characteristics can be attributed to the tire’s overall stiffness. A tire capable of running at high speeds requires a more stiff construction in order to provide the necessary high speed stability and durability. A dealer will not sell you a lower speed rated tire than what is outlined in your vehicle’s manual. It is a liability and not considered safe.

High Performance Tires
In order to maximize tire handling, the high performance tread widths are wider than a typical tire. This allows maximum contact area with the road surface. The tread pattern incorporates larger tread blocks for increased stiffness that performs well on dry and wet surfaces. The stiffer construction helps when traveling at high speeds and enhances your handling abilities. High performance tires are made with different compounds that help them perform better on the road. High performance tires typically have a speed rating of “H” or higher.

One high performance tire perfect for luxury touring or sports sedans is the Kumho ECSTA LX Platinum. The tire features an asymmetrical tread design, three dimensional waffle sipes, a jointless nylon cap ply, and a 60,000-mile limited tread wear warranty. With exceptional mileage, outstanding ride comfort, low noise levels, exceptional snow traction and outstanding dry and wet handling, this tire was made to keep you safe on the road. For more information on tires visit   http://www.EcstaPerformance.com    .

Courtesy of ARAcontent

TORNADO*FLASHFLOODS*WINTERSTORM* HURRICANE*FIRE*HAZARDOUS*

(ARA) – For busy folks who don’t have the time or the know-how to transform their outdoor space into a cozy garden room, outdoor structures like gazebos are a dream-come-true. Homeowners are turning to gazebos to transform their backyards into stylish outdoor living spaces, complete with indoor comforts.

Chet Beiler, owner of Amish Country Gazebos (www.amishgazebos.com), the nation’s leading retailer of custom-crafted gazebos, agrees. “People today want a covered retreat that adds distinction to their outdoor living areas,” says Beiler. “They are looking for a focal point for their landscape, a way to upgrade their current deck, a special spot next to the pool to get away from the hot summer sun.”

Gazebos have been a backyard staple for centuries. From ancient times, Egyptian and Roman gardens were a focal point of entertainment and leisurely activities. Today, these architecturally and aesthetically pleasing outdoor escapes are an extension of your living space — providing enjoyment and cool breezes on sultry summer days, a serene retreat, a relaxing nook to cuddle with a favorite book, and a charming yet functional room for entertaining.

Beiler says the first thing to consider before installing a gazebo is space and scale. “The larger your outdoor area, the bigger the gazebo you should install,” he says. “Decide if you want your gazebo to be a focal point in a corner of the yard, a poolside bungalow, or a great room with kitchen and dining areas. That will help you determine the best shape and size to suit your needs.”

These current gazebo trends help you achieve the look and function to fit your needs:

Eye-catching
When it comes to landscape design, a gazebo is the finishing touch as an accent or backdrop in any landscape. Select a spot that draws the eye to the gazebo and creates a focal point of interest.

When selecting a gazebo, try to keep a unifying theme such as the same color or style that is consistent with your home’s architectural design. Continue this theme by matching the roofing tiles with your home’s or consider using materials or a “motif” that connects the gazebo to the house: wrought iron ornamentation, a shell or pineapple motif, the use of slate, or native stone.

Poolside Paradise
Escape from the hot summer sun is just one of the many reasons people install gazebos. Poolside, they provide ample shade, a place for relaxing with the family, or to entertain friends. Add some curtains that can be pulled for privacy and you have an instant ‘changing room.’ Add a splash of color with gorgeous floral and plant arrangements, and your pool is transformed, rivaling the best resorts, in your mini “tropical paradise.”

Deck or Patio Enhancements
Adding a gazebo to an existing deck or patio is a great way to expand your living space without breaking your budget. Today’s new outdoor rooms are being used in traditional ways for living space or for dining and cooking, complete with kitchens, ceiling fans and mood lighting.

Today’s gazebos are great for multi-tasking spaces; serving as offices or recreation rooms by day- and intimate dining rooms at night. Trendy homeowners are wiring their gazebos for computers or flat screen televisions, or adding mega grills for entertaining.

The Great Room
The biggest trend in outdoor living is living large outdoors — literally. Outdoor rooms are clearly reflecting our indoor trends, with gazebos leading the way as the new “great room.” Homeowners are installing very large gazebos, such as 40-foot rectangular options, which offer enough living space for a kitchen with a grill and refrigerator, a table for eight, and a few oversized chairs. It’s the ultimate outdoor room with all the indoor comfort and style today’s homeowners demand.

To create your perfect gazebo, visit www.amishgazebos.com where you’ll find design ideas to build a virtual prototype. Select from an array of beautiful and functional designs and extra features. You can either build it yourself or have Amish Country Gazebos’ experienced craftsmen install it for you.

These gazebos are hand crafted by Amish carpenters and are available in either wood or maintenance-free vinyl. Starting at $1,695 they are a priceless investment with a life-time guarantee.

Order online or call (800) 700-1777 for a free 40-page idea book filled with photos of dozens of home gazebos in real backyards, design tips and a complete collection of gazebo styles and accents.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – What winter traveler can resist the attraction of a small cabin deep in snow-swept woods at dusk, lit and warmed by a crackling fire and framed by two overstuffed chairs and a tray of snacks on the hearth? Indeed, a welcome sight on any blustery evening. This could be the site of a well-stocked bird feeder to the feathered visitors of our wintry backyards.

Winter provides a unique opportunity to attract various wildlife to your yard while lending the chance to be a small but integral contributor to the local food cycle.

The winter view from your home does not need to be bleak. As you move indoors for the season, the time is right to either place or reposition backyard or porch bird feeders within an easy sight line of windows to provide comfortable inside viewing of birding activity. Providing more than one type of feeder at differing heights will invite a greater variety of birds. For example, a raised feeder, five to 15 feet above the ground, will attract evening grosbeaks and finches, while feeders closer to the ground tend to draw doves and sparrows.

Whatever the season, however, always remember to consider the ever-present competition from the local squirrel population for the food you put out. Descending chain feeders are a more ready squirrel deterrent than poled platform feeders. Regardless of the feeder you use, you can often retro-fit a variety of squirrel guards to your feeder to tilt the food competition toward your small flying friends.

Once you have positioned your feeders for easy viewing from the inside, then comes the all-important enticement of food. Not unlike us, different foods attract different types of birds. And higher quality foods lend even more reason for feathered visitors to make your feeders part of their daily stops.

When considering what type of foods to put out, try to stay away from common generic mixes. Lower-priced mixes are often not a bargain, as they contain various fillers, like red milo, which almost all birds discard. Buying higher-quality seed mixes or individual seeds that end up being a complete food to birds are the best value. Sunflowers are a universally popular choice. They attract cardinals, woodpeckers, blue jays, goldfinches, purple finches, chickadees, titmice, and nuthatches. Black sunflowers are a particular treat for birds, as the oilier shell is easier to crack and they are also usually cheaper than the traditional gray and white striped sunflowers we most often recognize.

The use of safflower seed will further differentiate your visitors as this small white seed attracts chickadees, downy woodpeckers, cardinals and titmice, while repelling grackles, blue jays and starlings who often keep smaller birds away from feeders. Another excellent individual seed is niger or thistle. While this seed is a bit more expensive, it provides a high-energy meal full of oil and calories. Thistle is often the meal of choice for finches, one of the most colorful of birds to observe. If you don’t want to mess with putting out individual seeds, the best option is to simply buy a good premium blend of wild bird seed. Premium blends contain quality ingredients and are an appealing food source.

“Providing high-energy bird food is more critical in the winter, when natural food supplies are not as accessible, and no food is better suited to high-energy winter feeding than quality suet,” says Tony Vahedian, vice president of ScottsMiracleGro’s wild bird food division. Suet is a high-fat food that is readily affordable in various size cakes and easily inserted in matching wire-mesh feeders to keep larger tree animals out. Scotts Songbird Selections suet, available in February 2008, is an example of a new high-quality suet bird food. You can be sure to see colorful woodpeckers and blue jays visiting your suet feeders.

Finally, if you like to attend to your feeders daily, remember to sprinkle affordable white millet along the ground and you’ll be sure to spot snacking mourning doves, sparrows and juncos.

Winter doesn’t have to be a dreary, bleak landscape outside our windows. This year, provide some winter entertainment by making your yard like that little cabin in the woods — an enticing stopover spot for the nourishment of our feathered backyard friends.

For more information on bird feeding, visit www.scotts.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Check-up and cleaning take little time, and effects last for years

(ARA) – Brisk mornings and crisp evenings, long shadows and a quicker-to-fade sun all say it’s time to store garden tools and hoses, tidy up the shrubs — and winterize your home’s wooden outdoor structures.

Caring for decks, gazebos and pergolas, often made of Western red cedar, should be a regular part of the fall checklist. Routine maintenance like removing seasonal and ornamental pots and plants, cleaning the wood of dirt and other debris, and getting rid of mold and mildew can be done easily in a weekend.

“Many people choose Western red cedar because of the natural durability and beauty of the wood,” says Paul Mackie, or “Mr. Cedar” as he’s known in the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association. “Preparing your outdoor living structure for winter is an important step to help maintain that beauty.”

Properly preparing wooden yard structures for winter protects them in much the same way as winterizing plants and water features and helps maintain their original appearance. Western red cedar contains natural preservatives that make the wood very durable and basic maintenance relatively simple. A broom and a garden sprayer, a little bleach and a hose are all that are needed.

Winterizing the deck
Start with the deck. Inspect it for buildups of dirt, water and pollen, and sweep it clean of debris the way you would with any wood, plastics, composite or cement surface. Take special care to clean between the planks and boards of horizontal surfaces so water can drain and air can flow between the boards. Reducing standing water and increasing airflow will limit the amount of moisture that can collect and stay on the surface of the plank.

Get rid of mold, mildew
Killing mold and mildew is another important piece of deck maintenance in wetter climates, particularly for materials that have rough textures such as composite decks. Mackie recommends a simple solution of three parts water and one part oxygen bleach applied with a simple garden sprayer. Rinsing the treated areas with clean water once the solution is applied should eliminate mold and mildew.

Don’t pressure-wash
Don’t pressure-wash wood, says Mackie, because “you can make it look like your grandfather’s corduroy pants.” Pressure-washing also can disrupt Western red cedar’s natural moisture resistance by forcibly pushing water into the wood. If you just can’t resist using your pressure-washer, keep it below 800 pounds per square inch.

Empty and store planters
Many outdoor living spaces are decorated with planter pots and boxes. Setting and leaving planters directly on surfaces can stain the wood. Moisture accumulates below the planter, leaving insufficient airflow for the moisture to dry.

The Web site realcedar.org, recommends people remove dirt from pots and planter boxes in early fall and store them in a covered area until spring. If moving the planters is not possible, it is especially important during the cold, wet months to elevate them from the surface with planks that will allow moisture to more easily evaporate without the benefit of the hot summer sun. Adequate airflow keeps the area drier and allows Western red cedar’s natural preservatives to preserve the wood.

Care for gazebos, siding
Check gazebos and pergolas, as well as any wooden siding on the house itself, for dirt, mold and mildew. Clean away any dirt, and treat the siding or structures with the oxygenated bleach solution if needed.

Water, pollen and mold tend to collect and sit on horizontal surfaces throughout the spring and summer. Left over the winter, they become a harmful cocktail that can speed up the deterioration of otherwise healthy lumber.

Preparing an outdoor structure is simple and well worth the minimal time invested. Following the easy steps is a sure formula to protect your wooden structures during the winter and maintaining their natural beauty for years to come.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – In these times of severe drought in many parts of the country, consumers are desperate for plants that will make their gardens shine, in spite of water restrictions. The secret is selecting plants that are naturally not thirsty.

Many of our own native plants, water-storing cactus and succulents for example, have evolved over time to tolerate dry conditions. Typically such plants are found in areas with strong light, good air circulation, and poor soil such as parts of the Southwest. Often they display one or more adaptations, including deep taproots or shallow but wide-reaching root systems to maximize the chance of finding water, gray green waxy or hairy leaf coverings, or reduced leaf surface to cut down on water loss through transpiration.

Prudent gardeners select companion plants with similar water needs, both in the landscape and in containers. In either location, avoid rich soil and fertilizer that encourages soft, water-thirsty growth. The trick is to keep young plants watered during the first two to four weeks while they become established, and after that they will be fine. After planting, spreading a layer of gravel or organic mulch on top of the soil will help reduce surface water loss through evaporation.

To try low-water planting in your own garden, here are a few suggestions:

* Top your list with “Diamond Frost” euphorbia, an easy-care, deer-resistant plant from Proven Winners. Its 10- to 12-inch-tall, mounded plants can reach up to 2 feet across. Even in extreme heat they sparkle with clouds of airy self-cleaning flowers all season long; in frost-free climes they are evergreen. In containers water “Diamond Frost” as little as once a week, but when planted in the ground it seldom needs additional water, even during very dry spells.

* Self-cleaning Cuphea llavea “Totally Tempted” displays a profusion of 1-inch wide, lavender-throated, fiery red blooms that attract hummingbirds throughout the season.

* Chrysocephalum apiculatum, “Flambe Yellow” and “Flambe Orange” are Australian shrubs that sport clusters of brilliant yellow or orange knobs of flowers at the end of silver-hairy trailing stems.

Try a large container with shrubby shiny-leaved ”Petit Bleu” Caryopteris as the “thriller,” surrounded with ”Diamond Frost” and ”Flambe Yellow” or ”Flambe Orange” spilling over the edges.

* Another good trailer for containers or as a ground cover is Lantana, “Luscious Grape.” The new low-water, heat tolerant selection with heads of large bright purple flowers attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. The leaves have a strong fragrance or odor, depending on your nose. Their rough-to-the-touch surface cuts water evaporation. Pair this with 2- to 4-inch tall lavender pink Cleome “Senorita Rosalita” and ”Diamond Frost” for a long-blooming designer-look.

While periods of dry weather are nothing new, the frequency and degree of drought that certain regions are experiencing are critical. We may need to confine our old favorite annuals to containers where they can be babied, possibly with recycled household water. Change is always unsettling, but gardeners must adapt their mindset and search for plants that laugh at the sun. The palette is broader than we think.

For more information on plants for low-water gardening, visit www.provenwinners.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – Bird feeding is a hobby shared by millions of people around the world. Viewed by many as lovable outdoor pets, birds are delightful to watch. One of the best ways to view these outdoor pets is by feeding them. Birds need to eat year round, which is why it’s important to keep feeders full throughout the four seasons. It is during the winter that feeding birds can be most beneficial. In fact, winter feeding can actually improve the traffic on your feeder, since many outdoor pets will find, and stay, where there is food to be had.

In the winter months, birds’ natural food becomes scarce. Insects, fruits and seeds are just summertime memories, and as a result, many birds come to feast at feeders throughout the day. In fact, it’s not uncommon to spy a group of cardinals, finches and grosbeaks crowded around a feeding station together instead of living their typically segregated lives.

An important rule of winter feeding is to be prepared. By stocking up on premium bird seed, bird lovers can help to secure a wholesome food source for birds without having to brave stormy weather. It’s also a great idea to add suet to the diet of your outdoor pets. Not only does suet offer birds an important source of fat, but premium suet like Wild Delight’s Fruit & Berry Smoothie Suet contains real fruits like dried cranberries, blueberries, cherries and raisins that birds love.

In addition to feeders, bird lovers can help birds survive through the winter by stocking their yards with plants that retain their berries, seeds or cones into the winter months. Plus, these types of natural food may attract birds like cedar waxwings that seldom visit feeders.

Feeding birds can be especially important when temperatures fall below zero degrees Fahrenheit (minus 18 degrees Celsius). Easy meals at the feeder can mean the difference between life and death. In very cold weather, birds survive by remaining very still, perching quietly with their feathers fluffed out for insulation. They do this to save energy, which can only happen if they have enough body fat to fuel them. Consequently, birds that have access to feeding stations have an easier time putting on and retaining fat.

To help ensure that birds can easily access your feeders, keep them free of ice and snow. Even adding a roof to existing feeders can make a difference. For those who live in areas with heavy snowfalls, temporarily move feeders closer to the house, so they’re easier to fill. Plus, with feeders closer to home, many bird lovers can enjoy a close-up view of their outdoor pets.

Just because feeders are closer to the residence doesn’t mean that homeowners have to put up with a mess on the ground. For those who value a clean yard, look for waste-free products, like Wild Delight Deck, Porch N’ Patio, which don’t contain filler ingredients that leave behind messy leftovers.

Just as birds need food year round, they also look for water. This can be tricky where water spends the winter as ice, but there are a number of ways that bird lovers can help out. For instance, experts says that leaving icicles on the eaves can provide a regular source of water for birds (they will drink the drops as icicles melt). In addition, a shallow basin of warm water set out daily or an electric heater for bird baths is sure to make any yard a magnet for birds during cold winter months.

Feeding birds is becoming more and more popular every year, and while birds don’t rely solely on feeders in the winter, feeders do provide a beneficial food source that helps outdoor wildlife survive the colder months. No matter what the season, feeding birds is important, and feeders should be kept full year round.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – What winter traveler can resist the attraction of a small cabin deep in snow-swept woods at dusk, lit and warmed by a crackling fire and framed by two overstuffed chairs and a tray of snacks on the hearth? Indeed, a welcome sight on any blustery evening. This could be the site of a well-stocked bird feeder to the feathered visitors of our wintry backyards.

Winter provides a unique opportunity to attract various wildlife to your yard while lending the chance to be a small but integral contributor to the local food cycle.

The winter view from your home does not need to be bleak. As you move indoors for the season, the time is right to either place or reposition backyard or porch bird feeders within an easy sight line of windows to provide comfortable inside viewing of birding activity. Providing more than one type of feeder at differing heights will invite a greater variety of birds. For example, a raised feeder, five to 15 feet above the ground, will attract evening grosbeaks and finches, while feeders closer to the ground tend to draw doves and sparrows.

Whatever the season, however, always remember to consider the ever-present competition from the local squirrel population for the food you put out. Descending chain feeders are a more ready squirrel deterrent than poled platform feeders. Regardless of the feeder you use, you can often retro-fit a variety of squirrel guards to your feeder to tilt the food competition toward your small flying friends.

Once you have positioned your feeders for easy viewing from the inside, then comes the all-important enticement of food. Not unlike us, different foods attract different types of birds. And higher quality foods lend even more reason for feathered visitors to make your feeders part of their daily stops.

When considering what type of foods to put out, try to stay away from common generic mixes. Lower-priced mixes are often not a bargain, as they contain various fillers, like red milo, which almost all birds discard. Buying higher-quality seed mixes or individual seeds that end up being a complete food to birds are the best value. Sunflowers are a universally popular choice. They attract cardinals, woodpeckers, blue jays, goldfinches, purple finches, chickadees, titmice, and nuthatches. Black sunflowers are a particular treat for birds, as the oilier shell is easier to crack and they are also usually cheaper than the traditional gray and white striped sunflowers we most often recognize.

The use of safflower seed will further differentiate your visitors as this small white seed attracts chickadees, downy woodpeckers, cardinals and titmice, while repelling grackles, blue jays and starlings who often keep smaller birds away from feeders. Another excellent individual seed is niger or thistle. While this seed is a bit more expensive, it provides a high-energy meal full of oil and calories. Thistle is often the meal of choice for finches, one of the most colorful of birds to observe. If you don’t want to mess with putting out individual seeds, the best option is to simply buy a good premium blend of wild bird seed. Premium blends contain quality ingredients and are an appealing food source.

“Providing high-energy bird food is more critical in the winter, when natural food supplies are not as accessible, and no food is better suited to high-energy winter feeding than quality suet,” says Tony Vahedian, vice president of ScottsMiracleGro’s wild bird food division. Suet is a high-fat food that is readily affordable in various size cakes and easily inserted in matching wire-mesh feeders to keep larger tree animals out. Scotts Songbird Selections suet, available in February 2008, is an example of a new high-quality suet bird food. You can be sure to see colorful woodpeckers and blue jays visiting your suet feeders.

Finally, if you like to attend to your feeders daily, remember to sprinkle affordable white millet along the ground and you’ll be sure to spot snacking mourning doves, sparrows and juncos.

Winter doesn’t have to be a dreary, bleak landscape outside our windows. This year, provide some winter entertainment by making your yard like that little cabin in the woods — an enticing stopover spot for the nourishment of our feathered backyard friends.

For more information on bird feeding, visit www.scotts.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Insulate Your Attic by Dec. 31 and you may Qualify for a Tax Credit of up to $500

(ARA) – If you’re looking for an easy home improvement project to tackle during your upcoming holiday break, why not choose one that pays you back? Adding insulation in your attic not only helps reduce your heating and cooling bills for years to come, but if you purchase qualifying insulation products before December 31, 2007, you may be eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $500. When was the last time one of your weekend projects gave you that kind of return?

Before you spend any money, you’ll first need to determine how much insulation is needed. To do so, make a trip to your attic and take a look around. If the wood beams of your attic floor are visible, it’s a pretty safe bet that you don’t have enough insulation. But even if you can’t see the beams, it’s no guarantee that there is adequate insulation to achieve optimal energy efficiency. It’s best to measure the insulation. If it’s less than 15.5 inches deep, your attic is probably under-insulated. Although the amount of insulation needed varies depending on the region of the county you live in, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends most attics be insulated to R 49.

R values represent thermal resistance to heat flow and achieving R 49 in your attic requires 15.5 inches of fiberglass blanket insulation (which is commonly sold in rolls or pre-cut lengths called batts), or about 18 inches of blown insulation. To check the recommended R-values for your region and to calculate the amount of insulation you’ll need to purchase, use the handy calculator at www.InsulateYourAtticNow.com. This Web site was created by Owens Corning, known worldwide for its PINK Fiberglas insulation, and features installation instructions, a project checklist and a search function for finding the nearest insulation retailer. Although adding insulation is a simple do-it-yourself project, the site also has a contractor locator if you’d rather hire someone to do it for you.

If you intend to apply for a federal tax credit, make sure you purchase a product that qualifies under the Energy Policy Act of 2005. To find products that meet the requirements of the Energy Policy Act, visit www.owenscorning.com/insulationfedtaxcredit. If you use qualified insulation, you’re entitled to a tax credit worth 10 percent of the purchase price, up to $500. Other requirements of the tax credit include:

* The insulation must be used in your primary residence.
* Homes, condominiums, mobile homes and cooperative apartments qualify.
* Installation costs are not included.
* The insulation must be expected to last five years, or have a two-year warranty.
* Use IRS Form 5695 “Residential Energy Credits.”
* Keep the receipt for the insulation and the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement for your records, but you do not have to submit them with your tax return.
* The Energy Policy Act of 2005 expires on December 31, 2007.

In addition to the federal tax credit, many states and local utilities offer rebates or incentives for homeowners who make energy improvements, so be sure to check locally for region specific information. For more information on how to qualify for the federal energy tax credit, visit www.owenscorning.com/insulationfedtaxcredit.

Courtesy of ARAcontent