Super Eco

Photo credit: Charles Kremenak, flickr

Sigh. It’s tax time again. On the bright side, Uncle Sam is once again giving tax breaks to people who build and drive green. Not quite ready for April 15? Don't worry. We’ve got your green tax savings covered. Our list of 10 eco-upgrades you can make to your home and ride could have you raking in up to thousands of green-backs in environmental tax credits.

1. Green light your home. Recover up to 10% on International Energy Conservation Code-eligible skylight or exterior window installation.  
2. Sun your swim. Solar-power heated Jacuzzis and swimming pools can earn you back 30% of your expenditures up to $2,000.
3. Raise the roof. Reclaim 10% or $500 with an Energy Star metal roof.
4. Eco-chill out. Get a $300 tax credit for these home-cooling (and warming) eco-upgrades: energy-efficient central air-conditioning; electric heat pump water heaters; gas, propane or oil water heaters; air source and geothermal heat pumps.
5. Open the green door. Earn 10% or $500 back for swapping exterior doors with sustainable, Forest Stewardship Council Certified doors.
6. Green your ride. Purchase a hybrid, get a $250-$3,400 tax break. The green you get back depends on the weight of your hybrid and gas saved. Buy two, get twice the tax breaks.
7. Fan the furnace fires. Earn a $50 refund when you buy an advanced main air-circulating fan, a GAMA-certified blower that boosts the energy-efficiency of your gas or oil furnace.

8. Eco insulate. Certain types of insulation (vapor retarders, etc.) net you 10% back up to $500.
9. Burn biomass. Heating your home with a thermal-efficient biomass stove that burns renewable plant-derived fuel yields a $300 tax credit.
10. Plug into the sun. If at least half of your home’s energy comes from the sun, you can pick up a 30% tax credit up to $2,000. Eligible solar energy systems must be certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation.

Tap into more time-, money- and energy-saving tax time tips from Energy Star, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy and Consumer Reports' Greener Choices.