Energy efficiency tax credits to benefit homeowners, environment
June 22, 2009 by Personal Liberty News Desk
Those who make energy efficiency home improvements may qualify for a tax break, and the Tax Incentives Assistance Project (TIAP) has set out to remind Americans to take advantage of them not only to cut their bills but also to help the environment.
The federal income tax credits of up to $1,500 for specific home improvements are available through 2010, under the provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
Kateri Callahan, president of the Alliance to Save Energy, a TIAP founder, says this credit, that is more generous than the one offered in 2006-07, puts energy- and money-saving home improvements within reach of more American families.
"[H]omeowners [have] more than a year to plan and budget for the more costly energy efficiency upgrades, which will then provide a terrific return on investment in lower energy costs for years to come," she adds.
Improvements that qualify for the break include a range of building envelope products, such as storm windows, storm doors, skylights, select ENERGY STAR asphalt and metal roofs, insulation, and other sealing products.
Heating and cooling equipment, such as furnaces, boilers, ground source or geothermal heat pumps, gas or propane water heaters, central air conditioning systems and biomass stoves also qualify.
The Alliance to Save Energy is a coalition of business, government, environmental and consumer leaders who promote the efficient and clean use of energy to benefit consumers, the environment, economy and national security. 
(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
I think it is so important that the government has done this. People look at buying energy efficient equipment for their homes as being “way to expensive.” What they don’t realize is that OVER TIME these products do pay for themselves and save the customer money because of the decrease in energy use. People always look at the initial cost and immediately shun the idea because it is more expensive to begin with. I think this tax incentive is just what people need to push them over the fence on going green.
I think it is fantastic how we are using renewable energy and going green in so many ways. I think we also need to do things like reducing our energy usage, like installing geothermal heat pumps to replace high energy heating and cooling systems.
YES I AGREE WITH YOU ON RENEWABLE ENERGY , BUT LETS NOT FORGET WHAT WE HAVE BEEN USING FOR YEARS .. I THINK WE NEED TO USE EVERYTHING THAT IS OUT THERE FOR US TO USE … I HOPE YOU KNOW THAT GLOBAL WARMING IS JUST A HOAX SO TO SCARE THE PEOPLE .. YOU DO KNOW THAT ONE FOREST FIRE CAUSE MORE HARM TO THE ENVIRONMENT THAN ANY CAR OR TRUCK CAN DO .. DRILLING WILL CREATE MORE JOBS RIGHT NOW FOR THE PEOPLE ..