| If you've started to "go green" you've probably | | | | program will only last until all the funds allocated |
| already noticed some benefits to the quality of life | | | | for it are spent, so don't wait to apply for your |
| in your home, especially when it comes to saving | | | | rebate this year! |
| money. Reducing your energy usage by taking | | | | Now, on to the Federal Tax Credit program. First, |
| actions such as Heat Pump replacing appliances | | | | to qualify, the energy efficient improvement must |
| with ENERGYSTAR rated ones cuts your energy | | | | be done to your principal residence, not a second |
| bill in a measurable way. Or if you've installed your | | | | home and not a rental home. |
| first dishwasher, you're not only saving money | | | | If you make energy efficient improvements to |
| and water, you're saving yourself some hard | | | | the following areas, you may be eligible for a tax |
| work (and the skin on your hands thanks you, | | | | credit of 30% of cost, up to $1500: |
| too!) | | | | Biomass Stoves |
| "Going green" is like that for our society at large | | | | HVAC Systems |
| as well as in each of our homes. It reduces | | | | Insulation |
| financial cost, preserves our environment and | | | | Roofs (Metal and Asphalt) |
| enhances everyone's quality of life. It touches | | | | Water Heaters (non-solar) |
| every portion of our homes, from your central air | | | | Windows and Doors |
| units and central heating to your furnace air filters | | | | This tax credit is set to expire December 31, |
| and gas heaters. Since it has such tangible | | | | 2010. |
| benefits, our federal government along with many | | | | If you make the following energy efficient |
| state governments are encouraging us to "go | | | | installations, you may receive a tax credit of 30% |
| green" by offering yearly tax credits. | | | | of cost, with no upper limit: |
| Did you know that if you install certain | | | | Geothermal Heat Pump |
| energy-efficient products or renewable energy | | | | Small Wind Turbines (Residential) |
| systems you might qualify for a tax break of up | | | | Solar Energy Systems |
| to $1500, or more? But before we take a quick | | | | This tax credit is set to expire December 31, |
| look at the current Federal Tax Credit program, | | | | 2016. |
| you should also know that every state, plus the | | | | Finally, if you make the following energy efficient |
| District of Columbia, offers a rebate program for | | | | home improvement to your primary residence, |
| purchasing ENERGYSTAR rated appliances. You | | | | you may receive a tax credit of 30% of the |
| can visit The Department of Energy's website to | | | | cost, up to $500 per .5 kW of power capacity: |
| learn more about what your state has to offer. | | | | Fuel Cells (Residential Fuel Cell and Microturbine |
| Currently, the state of Ohio plans to offer a | | | | System) |
| rebate program, scheduled to begin in March 2010, | | | | This tax credit is also set to expire on December |
| which will apply to ENERGYSTAR qualified and | | | | 31, 2016. |
| ultra-efficient models of appliances that are | | | | So if you are one of the thousands of |
| purchased and installed to replace older, inefficient | | | | homeowners interested in "going green," don't |
| models. It will cover refrigerators, clothes | | | | forget to look into the tax credit benefits and |
| washers, dishwashers, gas storage water heaters | | | | rebates that could be coming your way. <! |
| and electric heat pump water heaters. But the | | | | |