Green homes are becoming more attractive for the environment and the wallet

When it comes to your home going green no longer means painting your house a shade of the color, it means you are taking steps toward improving both the environment and your wallet. In real estate green improvements can mean more energy efficient appliances like refrigerators, stoves, toilets and lighting fixtures to major improvements like adding solar heating, recycled materials and wind energy. Green improvements are not only becoming more popular but they are also becoming more attractive financially due to tax savings and long term cost effectiveness.

Choosing renewable products and making environmentally friendly decisions when it comes to your property can make a big difference. While being green is often a state of mind, for people who dedicate themselves to recycling, turning off lights, and bicycling instead of driving a car, making green improvements in the home has proven to make quite a difference.

For information about green choices for the home click here to read a recent article from Realty Times.

Energy efficiency and greener building practices have begun to take hold across the Country, spurring incentives that warrant making home improvements to existing homes as well as better practices for building new homes.  Currently President Obama is considering federal incentives to homeowners who make energy efficient improvements to their homes.

President Obama had said that energy efficiency “creates jobs, saves money for families, and reduces the pollution that threatens our environment.  With additional resources, in areas like advanced manufacturing of wind turbines and solar panels, for instance, we can help turn good ideas into good private-sector jobs.”

Providing incentives to home owners to make their properties more energy efficient will not only help the homeowner but help the economy, seen as two major players in exiting the recession that has affected our Nation’s economy.

The possible legislation could provide 50% rebates up to $12,000 in incentives for product costs as well as installation costs of energy efficient home improvements that could include appliances, insulation, solar products and more.  The legislation is in the planning phase but is something Obama is planning on introducing.

For more information on possible legislation click here to a view an article posted by CNN Money.

Making green improvements to your home can be good for the environment and your wallet

Going green can not only improve the environment but can also help the wallet.  If renovations are in store for your home consider making them energy efficient.  There are tax credits for 30% of energy efficient home improvements for amounts of up to $1,500 for improvements to existing homes.  Acceptable projects include:

•    Windows and Doors
•    Insulation
•    Roofs (Metal and Asphalt)
•    HVAC
•    Water Heaters (non-solar)
•    Biomass Stoves

There are also tax credits available for 30% of the project cost, no limit, for existing homes and new construction.  These projects include:
•    Geothermal Heat Pumps
•    Solar Panels
•    Solar Water Heaters
•    Small Wind Energy Systems
•    Fuel Cells

Reducing the carbon footprint for your home has never been more affordable or had such incentive.  Whether you want to change your windows or alter your home’s energy source, making changes to make a difference in your environment can help save you money.

For information on energy efficient tax credits click here.