Go Green with new tax credits that cover energy efficient home improvements.  Going "green" means living in a way that's friendly to the environment and planet. But it also means keeping a little more "green" in your pocket by living more efficiently.

Even if the recession is keeping you from making over your whole house so it's more energy efficient, you can convert it a little at a time.  Next time you need to replace an appliance or other home improvement, consider an eco-friendly choice.  Here are some suggestions for going green at home:

1.  When replacing major appliances, it pays to buy appliances that are Energy Star certified.  These are significantly more efficient that other models so they are cheaper to run.

2.  Buy appliances with energy saver options.  New dishwashers and washing machines, for example, use less water and let your choose load size and water temperature.  Turn off your dishwashers heated drying cycle and choose a clothes dryer that automatically shuts off when it senses that the clothes are dry.

3.  Place the dishwasher and refrigerator on opposite sides of the kitchen so the heat from the dishwasher  won't force the refrigerator to work harder.  Try not to store an extra freezer or refrigerator in the garage where the extreme heat and cold will force it to work so hard it will send your energy bills soaring.

4.  When it's time to replace windows, go with double or triple paned glass with a low-e film.  These models cost more, but they prevent your heated or airconditioned  air from leaking outside, so you will save more money on your energy bills.


Even though money is tight, this might be a good time to make some home improvements.  You could qualify for up to a $1,500 in federal tax credits if you trade your old windows, furnace, roof or water heater for an energy efficient model.  The tax credits are part of Presidents Obama's economic stimulus bill and are good for energy efficient improvemnts you make in 2009 and 2010.

You could get a tax credit for 30% of the cost of the improvement, up to $1,500 on windows, doors, insulation, metal and asphalt roofs, heating and airconditioning, non-solar hot water heaters (but not tankless or electric storage water heaters) and biomass stoves.  For these items, the credit does not include installation.

Another 30% is available, with no upper limit through 2016, for geothermal heat pumps, solar panels, solar water heaters, small wind energy systems and fuel cells.  For these items, the redit includes installation.

Befor4e you buy any of these products, make sure they qualify for the tax credit.  To claim your credit, you will need a manufactures certification that the product qualifies.  You usually can find that on the manufactures website.  You can claim the tax creidt by filling out IRS Tax Form 5695 (2009 version) when you file your 2009 taxes next year.  For imformation about the energy efficiency tax credit, visit www.energystargov.org then click on "tax credits for energy efficiency."




source: Rural Arkansas