Ways To Save

Fannie Mae Energy Improvement Loans

Refinancing or purchasing a single family home? Add the cost of an energy audit and energy improvements to your loan. Visit Fannie Mae Energy Improvement Facts

Federal Tax Credits for Home Improvement

For specific energy upgrades that qualify for tax credits visit Federal TaxCredits for Energy Efficiency

Can I Get a Tax Credit for That? Easy to understand explanation of tax credits and what items are eligible from the Alliance to Save Energy.

NC residents: check with your local utility providers regarding additional incentives. Duke Energy customers - learn about incentives through the Smart $aver program.

For a state-by-state database of incentives for renewables and efficiency visit the DSIRE database.

Solar Energy Systems

Tax credits are available for qualified solar water heating and photovoltaic systems. The credits are available for systems “placed in service” from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2016. The tax credit is for 30% of the cost of the system, up to $2,000. After December 31, 2008, this $2,000 cap will be removed for photovoltaic systems (but not solar water heaters). This credit is completely separate from the $500 home improvement credit.

As a third-party assessor for ENERGY STAR, LEED and NAHB Green Built Homes programs, ESG cannot verify its own products. Therefore, we recommend speaking with Extend Energy for solar energy systems installation.

Small Wind Energy Systems

Tax credits are available to homeowners who install residential small wind turbine systems. The credits are available for systems placed in service from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2016. The tax credit is for 30% of the cost of the system, up to $500 for each half kilowatt of capacity with an overall maximum of $4,000.