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Here are some very useful tips from the IRS on how to save money preparing for the Tax season coming up. This applies to any homeowner who has been considering energy efficient home improvements that will save you money.  This is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.

These are the 7 Tips from the IRS:

1. The new law increases the credit rate to 30 percent of the cost of all qualifying improvements and raises the maximum credit limit to $1,500 claimed for 2009 and 2010 combined.

2. The credit applies to improvements such as adding insulation, energy-efficient exterior windows and energy-efficient heating and air conditioning systems.

3. To qualify as “energy efficient” for purposes of this tax credit, products generally must meet higher standards than the standards for the credit that was available in 2007.

4. Manufacturers must certify that their products meet new standards and they must provide a written statement to the taxpayer such as with the packaging of the product or in a printable format on the manufacturers’ Website.

5. Qualifying improvements must be placed into service after December 31, 2008, and before January 1, 2011.

6. The improvements must be made to the taxpayer’s principal residence located in the United States.

7. To claim the credit, attach Form 5695, Residential Energy Credits to either the 2009 or 2010 tax return. Taxpayers must claim the credit on the tax return for the year that the improvements are made.

November 2, 2009 – Special Edition TT-2009-12

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What is energy? Any source of usable power, as fossil fuel, electricity, or solar radiation.  Usable power (as heat or electricity); also : the resources for producing such power.

The illusive assumption that energy is unlimited and that we will never run out is as far from the truth as you can possibly be.  Where does over 85% of the energy production in the world come from?  It comes from fossil fuels.  These fossil fuels are non-renewable resources that are currently running out from our increased energy needs.  Why do we use fossil fuels when there are renewable energy sources available to us today? Cost.  It is much cheaper to burn fossil fuels for energy than it is to use renewable energy sources from our sheer demand for energy.  If we would simply reduce our energy consumption it would be increasingly viable for renewable energy to be more cost effective, thus reducing our need for fossil fuels as an energy source.

As a culture, and even world, we are so dependent on these fossil fuels which are not only terrible for the environment, but our health and future.  What is the truth with burning fossil fuels?  The combustion of these fossil fuels produces air pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and heavy metals.  These are harmful to our health and well being from their toxic nature to our human bodies.  The combustion of fossil fuels also generates sulfuric, carbonic, and nitric acids, which fall to Earth as acid rain impacting both the natural and built environment.  If we could reduce our energy use, we would be able to rely more on renewable resources of energy that are not only cleaner for the environment and our health, but are also never ending sources of energy for the future.

These are real issues that affect us not only today, but in the very near future. “Going Green” is not a fad or something to be taken lightly.  Greening our lives will help with sustainability for our planet and future generations.  One of the easiest and most readily available options for going green today is reducing your use of energy in your everyday lives.  Hopefully now you know that this affects far more than you previously thought or understood.  Do your part in going green and saving the environment for a better and more positive future.

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