Did you know that greening up your home can earn you green? Whether through government subsidies or company rebates, you can get cash back for your environmental efforts in a number of ways.
If you haven’t already switched from incandescent lighting to compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, now is the time. At many stores, you’ll receive an instant rebate for your purchase. Translation: the rebate is already factored into the cost, which means you don’t have to fill out any forms and wait for reimbursement. And because CFLs last longer and use less energy than incandescent bulbs, you’ll save on your power bill, too.
Install a solar water heating system that meets the requirements of the Solar Rating Certification Corporation to receive a 30% federal tax credit. This credit goes towards labor of installation as well as the cost of the system.
Replace old appliances with those that are energy efficient and receive significant rebates on qualified products like washers and refrigerators. If you purchase these products from Sears, their Blue Appliance Crew will help you file your rebates online right in the store. Just make sure to recycle your old appliances when the new ones arrive.
Add insulation to your home and receive a federal tax credit for 30% of material costs.
Did you know that you waste approximately five gallons of water every time you flush the toilet? If you aren’t up for living by the “if it’s yellow, let it mellow” rule, just install a low-flow toilet. A lot of local utility services offer a rebate to replace your toilet with a high-efficiency alternative.
To find out where you can receive rebates on green appliances and products in your area, visit Green Made Simple. Check out Energy Star’s comprehensive list of federal tax credits for energy efficient home improvements.
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