Government and Tax Incentives

There are two different types of government incentives for energy improvements: energy efficiency incentives and incentives to create renewable energy.

The federal government has a tax credit program that encourages people to increase the energy efficiency of homes by giving tax credits to individuals who add insulation, replace windows and doors, upgrade furnaces and air conditioners, upgrade water heaters, and install energy efficient roofs. The cap on this program is $1500 and it expires December 31st, 2010.
For details, visit energystar.gov Tax Credits

The State of North Carolina has a two-phase rebate program to help residents replace older, inefficient appliances with ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances. The first phase of the program, tentatively scheduled to begin in April 2010, will be a limited-time, instant rebate for refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, and dishwashers.  A Phase 2 mail-in rebate for several types of water heaters, as well as gas furnaces and central air conditioners is tentatively scheduled to begin in June 2010 and will continue until remaining funds are depleted.  For details, visit energyStar.org Rebates

There is a 30% federal tax credit and a 35% state tax credit for individuals who purchase and install renewable energy producing equipment (examples: solar photo-voltaic, solar hot water, and wind power).  There is a cap on these programs, but the cap and other details vary by the type of renewable energy equipment that an individual installs.