QUINCY, Ill. (WGEM) -
Have you been wanting to make some updates to your home or are you building a new home?
Good news, there are some money saving ways you can renovate without breaking the bank, and many people came to the WGEM Home and Living Show this weekend to find out how.
Experts say, right now is a good time to do that because there are some money saving incentives you can take advantage of now. Air Specialist sales consultant Jamie Terstegge says if you update to a higher efficiency furnace and air conditioning system you'll receive big tax credits.
"You get a $200 tax credit for the furnace, high efficiency gas furnace. It would be 95% or better with variable speed would be up to $200 tax credit and then on the air conditioner you would be up to $300," said Terstegge.
Terstegge says another added bonus is a drop in your utility bills and an incentive for Ameren customers.
"The furnaces are up to $400 instant credit with Ameren and $600 for high efficiency air conditioners," said Terstegge.
Craig Heming of Doors-N-More says another energy efficient improvement you can make to your home that will put more money in your pocket through a tax credit is updating your windows and doors.
"You get 10 percent back of the purchase of a door up to $500 and 10% back on the purchase of energy efficient replacement windows up to $200," said Heming.
Heming says there is another advantage of updating your windows to high efficiency ones.
"Putting in energy efficient windows and doors is definitely going to lower your energy bill. If yours currently are not and we hear a range of stories on how much people can save," said Heming.
The experts say there are many ways to cut costs while sprucing up your home on a tight budget.
You can head down to the WGEM Home and Living Show Sunday from noon-4 p.m. Admission is $4, but kids 12 and under are free.
