New options for energy efficient homeowners

The recently-enacted stimulus bill provides significant changes to energy efficient tax credits available to consumers for home improvements, including roofing, insulation, windows and doors, central air conditioning, water heaters, residential solar and wind energy systems, fuel cells, and much more.

The bill highlights provides an extension of tax credits available for 2009 until 2010, a raise in the tax credit from 10 percent to 30 percent of the cost and an increase in the maximum tax credit available. The maximum tax credit for the two-year period (2009-2010) was increased to $1500, significantly higher than the previous max of $500. The cap does not apply to several improvements, including: solar water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, and solar panels.

Additional consumer information is available online from Energy Star, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, which promotes saving money and protecting the environment by using energy efficient products and practices.  Find out more…