Consumer Tax Credits Available for Energy Efficient Green Products

Save Energy and Money

It is not too late to claim tax credits on your income tax form for energy efficient green products. The U.S. Federal Government is extending tax credits of 30% of the cost to consumers to make energy efficient home improvements through 2016. Green products that reduce your energy bill and help the environment by using less energy will also help you make home improvements that may have been overlooked, such as window and door replacements and energy efficient heating and cooling systems.  

The U.S. government’s tax credits are driven by the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Program working closely to help consumers and businesses fight global warming through energy efficiency as one component of the overall green building program. The combined agency’s goals also include adding new products to the energy star program consuming large amounts of energy.  

Additional tax credits are available for new construction and home improvements on other green products such as solar and geothermal heating and small wind energy systems.  Manufacturers’ products must meet certification requirements for energy efficiency in order for consumers to qualify for tax credits.

Businesses that provide energy efficient products need to create more awareness to help consumers be informed and make sense of the growing list of green products.  What are the products and how do they save energy?  Take an interactive tour of the sampling of products using the Energy Star Save Money at Home tool.  Extensive information resources are also available for individuals and businesses through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s website.

Evaluating energy efficiency is an important step for consumers to consider home improvements that will convert to long term savings. Consider the energy usage in your home and where your money goes. The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory calculates more than 46% of your home’s energy bill is absorbed by heating and cooling costs. 

Besides the additional factor of creating more comfort in your home through improvements is the mindset that the outcome will increase the value of your home. Energy efficiency is the long term goal of public and private interests that will continue to weigh upon social, economic, and environmental factors.

Nurturing a sustainable energy ethic is at the heart of a shared global value system that may give us beyond reason a sense of pride to help the environment use less energy.  Can we help the planet?  Even if everyone would do a little bit to conserve energy--in the long run we can make a difference through energy conservation at home, work, and in the community combined that will make these small preventative measures add up to a more sustainable energy efficient future.