Buying energy-efficient home energy systems, appliances, and cars can save you loads of money by reducing your energy consumption. But the upfront cost of investing in efficient technologies can make ditching your old energy guzzlers for new energy sippers seem prohibitive. Federal and state tax credits help defray your purchase costs. Here’s how:
Federal Energy Efficiency Tax Credits
Home Renovations: You can earn up to 30% in federal tax credits on the first $1,500 you spend on improving the energy efficiency of your home. These credits apply only to existing home renovations and not to new construction. Remember: a tax credit is better than a deduction because it actually reduces the amount of money you pay tax on at the end of the year.
Qualifying products include energy-efficient:
- windows and doors
- insulation
- roofs
- central air conditioners, furnaces, and boilers
- water heaters
- biomass stoves (like those that burn wood, wood pellets, dried corn, etc.)
This credit expires at the end of 2010, so act sometime in the next eleven months to take advantage of this benefit.
Alternative Energy Substitutions: If you’ve been thinking of transitioning to a renewable home energy system, you have until the end of 2016 to use tax credits to help defray the expense. These credits are also being offered at 30% of cost, but with no upper limit (in other words, if you spend $20,000 putting solar panels on your roof, the credits could generate as much as a $6,000 tax credit). Qualifying systems include:
- geothermal heat pumps
- solar panels
- solar water heaters
- small wind energy systems
The EnergyStar website offers more details on what systems qualify and which ones don’t.
Federal Hybrid Vehicle Tax Credits
When I bought my hybrid Prius in 2002 for around $20,000, I received $4,000 in tax credits: $2,000 from the IRS, and $2,000 from my state government. Today, the rules for hybrid vechicle credits are a little more complicated. Hybrids purchased after December 31, 2005 are eligible for a credit up to $3,400, but that number declines once the car manufacturer sells over 60,000 units of a particular hybrid model. GM and Chrysler are still offering full credits; Ford is offering reduced credits until the end of March 2010. The credits are subject to change, so check back frequently.
State Credits
Many states have created their own financial incentives for going green. Check out DSIRE.org for a comprehensive list of what your state can offer you, including tax credits, rebate programs, and much more.
4 thoughts on “Green Tax Credits Can Help You Save Money”
As mentioned, qualifying products include energy-efficient windows and doors. According to U.S. Department of Energy, energy mislaid by windows alone can comment for 10 percent to twenty-five percent of a household’s heating bill. Window tint is one great “green product” readily available in the market. It is cost-effective, energy-efficient and above all, it is eco-friendly. Learn more about window tints at http://www.TintBuyer.com, they provide relevant information about window tints such as its types, quotations and help find the best professional tinter near your area.
In the case of home improvements that qualify for the tax credit, it’s important to select the right service provider. Focus on price/quality value and not the credit. Great article!
Solar Energy is the most easily available and free source of energy. Cost cutting on monthly power bills, making money by selling excess power and getting tax rebate from government helps to cover the cost of solar energy systems.It is the most important out of non-conventional sources of energy too, it is non polluting, available for all and convenient source therefore helps in lessening the greenhouse effect.
I will look into the window tints suggestion. As for solar energy, it is great that states like California are creating so many incentives for citizens to install solar collectors on their homes. We could do more on a national level.
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