Ed
Begley, Jr. Chooses Hurd for Green Renovation
Energy efficient windows,
doors prized by
award
winning environmental leader
Medford,
WI – September 4, 2009 – Whether
the motivation is economical or ecological, most homeowners these days have
energy-efficiency in mind when they make plans to remodel or build. So when
environmentalist actor Ed Begley, Jr. decided it was time to expand his garage
and guest room, it was an easy decision to have earthfriendly Hurd windows and
doors installed. Now that his green remodeling project is complete, he says
“I’ve never been happier with a door or window in my life.”
Considered an environmental leader in the Hollywood community for many years,
Begley loves his ultraefficient windows and doors. Expanded from
300-squarefeet to 600-square-feet, the space above the garage is still a guest
room, but it has now become his office as well. “I’m here
everyday. This is my ‘Man Cave.’ The place I spend all of my time behind
these beautiful windows and doors.” Begley has embraced Hurd’s products
for several reasons. “I start with the environmental angle always. Not only
is it good for energy efficiency to keep warm in the winter and cool in the
summer, but for peace of mind.”
For the eco-friendly renovation, Begley chose Hurd’s ultra-efficient
aluminum-clad wood windows and doors. The products are recognized for their
sustainable efficiency, quality and unique green features, including:
• All
glass contains approximately 25 percent
industrial recycle.
•
All
aluminum contains approximately 25
percent post consumer recycled scrap.
•
Anodizing,
which is more environmentally-responsible
than painted cladding, is a standard
Hurd option.
• Hurd’s
CoreGuardTM to promote long-life
sustainable wood windows and doors, and
protect
the wood from moisture. Its ingredients are non-volatile
and among the most
environmentally-friendly preservatives available.
• Hurd’s
ComfortGlazeTM featuring unique,
energy-efficient performance characteristics
that
save on energy costs, reduce solar heat gain, and mitigate
perceived noise by up to 50 percent.
• Hurd’s
exclusive ClimaGuard SPFTM glazing is a
smart solution to promote sustainable
interiors by blocking 99.9 percent of damaging UV-A and
UV-B rays. It is credited with
dramatically reducing fading, and extending the useful life
of carpeting, furniture, and other
furnishings in the home.
• Heavy-duty
extruded aluminum clad exterior that
lasts longer than others and contains
25
percent consumer-recycled scrap.
• Low
VOC content in all sealants, primer paint
and adhesives.
• Hurd is an
Energy
Star® partner and nearly every window
bears a National
Fenestration
Rating Council (NFRC) certification label
giving
full disclosure of its energy efficiency, solar
heat gain coefficient, air leakage and light transmittance.
Because of Hurd’s unique CoreGuard™ wood treatment system, Begley likes that he
will be able to enjoy his windows and doors for a long time. CoreGuard contains three
fungicides, an insecticide and water repellents that penetrate to the very core of the wood,
providing an envelope protection against pests and rotting. Because they will not need to be
replaced for years to come, Hurd windows and doors have a more sustainable design than the
competition. He is also a fan of
the ClimaGuard SPF™ glazing, which promotes
sustainable interiors by blocking 99.9% of UV rays from entering the home and fading carpeting or
furnishings. More than just environmental reasons went into Begley’s preference
for Hurd windows and doors, though. He also likes their noise abatement properties. “I live
right near Laurel Canyon. That noise can really drone on. I close up these Hurd windows and
doors, and it’s tight as a drum and quiet as a church.” Additionally, he likes the
security offered by a Hurd door. “I got the one with three
latches on it. It really grabs tight, sealing very good top and bottom and all
the way around. It’s a strong door in every way. For your
personal safety and your energy efficiency, it’s a great door.”
Hurd,
a recognized environmental leader, itself, with such programs as its “Simple
Guide for Building Green,” welcomed the opportunity to work with such a
positive green role model. According to HWD Acquisition President Dominic
Truniger, “We’re thrilled that Mr. Begley is so excited about the
environmental qualities of our products. Hurd is considered an early adopter
in the green building category, so it’s nice to work with someone who shares
our passion for sustainability.”
Begley’s
final verdict on Hurd windows and doors is that he wants more of them. “I’m
going to tell you right now, when I do a remodel on the home, you probably don’t
need to guess what kind of doors and windows are going in. It’s going to be
all Hurd.”
The
new series “Living with Ed” documents the eco-friendly adventures of
Begley and his wife Rachelle, including a close look at his Hurd windows and
doors. It will premier on Oct. 21st on Planet Green. For more information
about the show, visit
www.livingwithed.net.
ABOUT Hurd/HWD Acquisition,
Inc.
HWD Acquisition, Inc. is headquartered in Medford, Wisconsin. The company
recently acquired the assets of Hurd, a brand with a 90-year tradition of
building custom wood windows and doors to the highest standards of excellence
and quality. Hurd products, which are sold exclusively through more than 400
distributors in the United States and Canada, and in 20 countries worldwide,
are manufactured by approximately 500 craftsmen. With factories in Medford and
Merrill, Wisconsin, Hurd products are manufactured in more than 1 million
square feet of production space. For more information, visit
www.hurd.com
or call (715) 748-2011. Toll free: 1-800-433-4873.
News Release
Media
Contact Information:
Gary
Young
Fresh Roast Marketing
garydyoung@comcast.net
612-247-8123
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Energy Bill Tax Credits
There is no better time than the present to
replace your current windows with new ultra energy-efficient Hurd windows
and patio doors!
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed
an economic stimulus package which included the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Act provides an increase in the amount of
energy tax credits (as well as extending the credits through the year 2010)
to homeowners who opt to make energy efficient improvements to their homes.
Replacing existing windows and doors with improved energy-efficient Hurd
products can make you eligible for this energy tax credit.
$1,500 Energy Tax Credit
The Act allows homeowners to receive a tax
credit based on 30% of the total cost of the qualifying energy-efficient
windows and doors with a maximum tax credit of $1,500 per household for the
years 2009-2010. Note that not all product being replaced needs to meet the
0.30 u-factor/SHGC requirements. Since the maximum tax credit is limited to
$1,500 per household, only $5,000 of the actual new product installed is
required to meet the u-factor/SHGC values noted in the Act and still provide
the homeowner with the maximum $1,500 tax credit. The credit applies to
existing homes only. The maximum total amount that can be claimed is $1,500
combined for all qualifying energy-efficient upgrades detailed in the Act,
which includes items such as insulation and HVAC systems, placed in service
in 2009 and 2010.
Qualifying Hurd Windows & Doors
Hurd has been at the forefront of designing
and building energy-efficient windows and patio doors for much of our 90
year heritage. As a result, we offer many windows and patio doors that meet
or exceed the stringent performance requirements of the Act. Click to view a
comprehensive listing of qualifying Hurd products in our
aluminum clad wood or
all-wood product lines.
Please note that not all ENERGY STAR® rated
products qualify for a tax credit. These tax credits are available for a
number of products at the highest energy efficiency levels. If for some
reason you decide not to purchase a product that qualifies for this tax
credit, you should consider purchasing an ENERGY STAR rated product that
will still pay you back in terms of lower energy bills.
How to Qualify For The Energy Tax Credit
Using Hurd Windows & Doors
- You must replace existing windows and
doors with Hurd products that meet an overall u-factor of 0.30 or less and
an overall SHGC value of 0.30 or less. Qualifying product must be
purchased and installed between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010.
- Note that only the cost of the actual
windows and doors is applied toward the tax credit. IE: Costs such as
installation, finishing, sales tax, etc. cannot be applied.
- The tax credit applies to the homeowner's
principal residence only and is an actual deduct from your tax liability;
which means you can have the tax credit added to your tax refund or
deducted from the amount of tax you owe.
- To provide proof of eligibility, retain
Hurd's
Manufacturer's Certificate and proof of
purchase documents. As with any tax matter, consult a tax professional and
review all IRS guidelines to determine qualifications for potential income
tax credits.
- Claim your energy tax credit on your
Federal filing for the year 2009 or 2010.
We urge you to contact your local utility
companies to explore other potential rebates or special offers they might
provide.
This information is provided only as a
summary of the Act as it relates to energy-efficient window replacement.
Please consult a tax professional for advice on your individual tax credit
qualifications. To learn more about the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act of 2009 and qualifying tax credits, visit Energy Star®'s website at
www.energystar.gov.
