On Dec. 17, 2010, President Obama signed the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010, which re-extended federal tax credits on select energy-efficient products for 2011. Duette® Architella® honeycomb shades from Hunter Douglas, which created the popular honeycomb shade category more than 25 years ago, are among those products. They are the first and only window shades without add-on insulation systems to qualify for the credit and can more than double energy-efficiency of a window.

Federal tax credits for energy-efficient products are now available for 10 percent of the cost of most Duette Architella shades, up to a maximum of $500 in total, when purchased and installed between Jan. 1, 2011, through Dec. 31, 2011, provided the expense meets the tax guidelines. With this extended tax credit opportunity, aligned Hunter Douglas dealers are in a unique position to offer their customers an extremely compelling three-way savings on Duette Architella honeycomb shades this trimester:

-- Up to $500 U.S. Federal Tax Credit opportunity.

-- $25 per unit savings with the Every Smart Style promotion rebate offer in effect through 4/29/11.

-- Energy savings at the window resulting in lower heating and cooling costs. Based on calculations verified by the Rocky Mountain Institute, Duette Architella shades, when properly installed, can save up to $60 per average-sized window. (Estimates will vary by region.)

“Award-winning Duette Architella honeycomb shades are already a best-seller and the fastest-growing innovation in the popular cellular shade category thanks to their superior energy efficiency, proprietary design and striking good looks,” said Jim Mathews, Hunter Douglas Senior Vice President of Marketing. “Duette Architella shades have seen even stronger sales since the product originally qualified for the federal tax credit in October 2009, and this continues the powerful incentive for consumers to buy and for dealers to build incremental sales volume this winter and early spring and throughout 2011.”

All energy-efficient products that qualify must be for existing homes, not new home construction. Homeowners should be advised to check the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement available at hunterdouglas.com/taxcredit for a list of qualifying Architella products and restrictions and also to consult their tax advisor to determine whether they are eligible for the federal tax credit. They will need to keep a copy of their receipt and the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement for their records.