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If you’re a homeowner and planning to have some home improvements projects in your house to make it more energy efficient, now is the perfect time to do so! Why? Because there are federal energy tax credits available for consumers who make energy-conscious purchases and home improvements.

Energy tax credits are offered at 30% of the cost up to $1,500 in 2009 and 2010 for the following:

•    Windows and doors (exterior windows, skylights, storm windows, exterior doors, storm doors)

•    Roofing (metal roofs and asphalt roofs)

•    Insulation

•    HVAC (heating and air – all types)

•    Water heaters

These tax credits are for existing homes only.

Other homeowner energy tax credits that are available at 30% of the cost with no upper limit are:

•    Geothermal heat pumps

•    Solar panels

•    Solar water heaters

•    Small wind energy systems

•    Fuel cells

The above tax credits on the other hand, are offered for both existing homes and those under construction, until 2016.

Taking advantage of these energy tax credits is so much easier than availing of home improvement grants. For one home improvement grants are not readily accessible to the average homeowner. While free government home improvement grants do exist, there is limited information for these so you’d really need to be patient in your search. And even when you find one where you may qualify for, the application process is lengthy and tedious, and the results depend largely on whether your city or state has the available funding.

But with the federal energy tax credits, the savings you get are as good as a done deal – no applications or proposals needed!

So if you have some home improvement plans in mind anyway, why not go green? Your overall savings is two-fold: you get your energy tax credits, and you save on electricity and heating costs by making your home energy efficient.

If you are looking for a handyman in Edina, MN, be sure to visit the Edina handyman directory to find a contractor who can help you take advantage of these tax credits!

“Cash for Caulkers” (formally known as the HOME STAR Program) is a proposed US federal government program that would give households incentives in the form of low-cost loans, tax rebates, tax breaks, and even immediate point-of-sale rebates to pay for weatherization and other energy-saving retrofit projects. The Cash for Caulkers program will be similar to last year’s “Cash for Clunkers” only it will focus on retrofitting homes to make them more energy efficient as well as upgrades to ENERGY STAR appliances.

The HOME STAR “Cash for Caulkers” Program was recommended by a board of prominent business leaders asked to advise the White House on ways to help stimulate the economy.  Their proposal has been warmly embraced by the Obama administration, but funding and implementation of the program will require Congressional action. We don’t expect to see much movement in that regard until after the health care reform bill is completed.

Legislative support for HOME STAR is unrelated to the jobs bill passed by the House late last year. Separate legislation is in the works to define the structure and funding sources for HOME STAR.

What is the likelihood of HOME STAR becoming law? Right now, the Legislative process is just beginning. We believe that there is strong support, but it will take time for Congress to draft and approve legislation, and the details of the program may evolve significantly as part of that process.

You may have also heard about the Retrofit for Energy and Environmental Performance (REEP) Program Act. This is a separate initiative introduced in the House of Representatives last March that targets energy efficiency retrofits for residential and commercial buildings nationwide. While HOME STAR is a short-term stimulus program with a two-year time frame, REEP is a long-term program that would continue after the HOME STAR incentives expire. The REEP bill has more than 60 cosponsors in the House.

REEP is included in the Waxman-Markey climate bill passed by the House last June, and in a similar bill now pending in the Senate. For this legislation to move forward, the Senate must pass its version of the bill, then the Senate and House versions must be reconciled before a final bill can be signed into law by the President. With health care reform and other prominent issues dominating the Senate calendar, we’re not likely to see progress on the bill before spring.

For timely updates and analysis of the HOME STAR Program, including detailed information on how you can take advantage of this program, please visit Cash for Caulkers Program Guide and Home Star Program Guide.

If you don’t have the capital on hand right now, federal grants for home improvement are a great way to improve your home. Not many people know that federal grants for home improvement are available and that money is readily available for those who need them. All you need to provide is that you don’t have the money and what you want done to your home. You will receive a federal grant for home improvement if you are approved so that you can finally add that room to your home or whatever else you want done.

Contact Your Local Government Offices

To find federal grants for home improvement, find out with your local government offices to see what grants are available and how to qualify. Most likely you’ll have to prove that you don’t have the money and that you really in need. Occasionally you might also have to think of a quotation from a home improvement company on how much money you require so that the government understand how the grant will be used properly. As these are grants which means that you don’t have to return so opportunity for misuse is high. The government is going to ensure that the money is going to be used as intended before federal grants for home improvement can be awarded.

Government Home Improvement Loan: Pay Back In Installments For All Your Home Improvement Needs

When you just don’t have the money to do so the government knows what it’s like to want to perform home improvement. For this reason, they have set up government home improvement loans to help out with those projects that just cant wait any longer. Do an internet search to locate government home improvement loans. There is plenty of money available for those who qualify and the money can be returned gradually in order to enjoy your new home without breaking your bank account.

Search Around For The Best Interest Rates

You’ll need to complete the same process, as you would qualify for a car or home loan. However the loans usually come with a lower interest rate. In order not paying too much, look around for the best interest rates. You just have to ask plenty of questions and make sure that you are getting the best deal as there are many options available.

The government home improvement loans are ideal for adding that new room that you’ve always desired or for changing your appliances so that they are more energy efficient. Government home improvement loans can help even if you just want to repair your roof or windows or something small.

The value is increased by improving the look of your home. Hence governmet home improvement loan are worth it when you think of ability to have your investment return and more whenever you decide to sell your house. A government home improvement loan is just the way to go about if you don’t have enough money to complete those projects that you long to complete.

Try For A Government Grant First

To help those in need, it is noticed that the government has other program set up. For example, there are government grants in place that don’t require to pay back and that go to only those who qualify. Before trying for a loan, it’s best to apply for the grant first. You may as well go for a grant instead of a loan that you need to pay back if you qualify.

However if you don’t qualify for a grant, then a loan is just the thing you should go for if you desire to improve your home.

Improve The Look And Value Of Your Home

You can get those repairs or additions you’ve always wanted from the federal grants for home improvement but you won’t get rich. Improving your home improves not only the value but also the look which in turn improve the property value of the entire neighborhood.

Contact your local government offices and ask about federal grants for home improvement, if you’ve always wanted to improve the look and value of your home. You’ll love the look of your new home and the best part is that the money never needs to be paid back. You can redo the look of your home and you can save your money for more important things, like putting food on the table.