The government offered an outstanding tax credit to those who upgraded their heating and air conditioning system to an Energy Star-rated system.  The credit was equal to 30% of the system’s price (with a $1,500 cap).  Upgrading your system will also save money in the long run when you see your monthly energy bills go down.  Energy Star air conditioners are generally 14% more efficient than normal, while ES heating pumps are anywhere from 8-20% more efficient than what you may already have.

If you installed a geothermal heating system last year, you were eligible for a 30% tax credit with no cap.  Because it is typically reliant on tectonic plate boundaries (except in the case of enhanced geothermal systems), these sorts of systems can’t be installed everywhere.  Also, installation can sometimes involve expensive replacement of your home’s existing duct work.  However, this credit goes a long way toward making geothermal heating an attractive offer.  The same 30% tax credit is available for those who install wind or solar-powered systems—again with no cap.  This credit will be available through 2016, but remember that for a solar-powered system to be eligible, it must generate more than 50% of the house’s heat.

Buying new insulation for doors, windows, or roofing in 2009 made you eligible for another 30% tax credit up to $1,500, as long as the insulation is Energy Star-rated or meets other energy requirements.  Finally, hybrid, battery electric, and alternate fuel vehicle buyers were eligible for anywhere from $250-$7,500 worth of tax credits.  Many of these will be available again next year, so check with a tax consultant to see how going green can help save you—green.

Water conservation has become a serious issue in the past few years. Sadly, the issue is often overshadowed by more pressing concerns such as the burning of valuable fossil fuels and high costs of energy consumption. For the people and animals in the areas that depend on the water provided by lakes and groundwater which are quickly drying up, the issue is very much real.

There are two ways to go about conserving water. You can choose to work with what you have and change your habits, or buy water-saving products to replace your traditional equipment. If you opt to stick with the familiar, you’ll need to make a few minor adjustments in your daily routine. For example, only run the washer and dishwasher when they’re full; keep a pitcher of water in the fridge instead of waiting for tap water to get cold; water your lawn and garden in the morning when its cooler out to minimize evaporation, collect water from your drainpipes to water the garden, insulate your hot water pipes for more immediate hot water, wash your face and brush your teeth while in the shower, and wash dishes by hand by filling one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water so the faucet isn’t constantly running.

Your other option entails replacing your old bathroom and kitchen appliances with water-saving products. In your bathroom, you can replace your toilets with eco-friendly High Efficiency Toilets (HET) such as the revolutionary low-flush Niagra Power One 1.0 GPF Pressure-Assist HET, the EcoLogic 1.28 GPF HET, or the low cost Niagra Flapperless 1.6 GPF. In addition to replacing your potties, buy new water efficient showerheads that deliver consistent water pressure and cut back on water use. We recommend the Earth Massage 1.5 GPM Handheld Chrome Showerhead, The Rainfall 2.25 GPM Chrome Showerhead, or the low cost Earth Massage 2.0 Wall-Mount Showerhead for only $15.99. Be sure to check your water appliances for leaks and drips—fixing minor problems can lead to major water conservation in the long run.

While you wait for your eco-friendly laundry to dry, kick back and watch an Energy Star qualified TV. These TV’s use 40% less energy than standard TVs—guaranteed. You won’t have to sacrifice size or picture quality because even the best TVs come in energy efficient versions. If all TVs sold in the US met the Energy Star requirements set by the EPA, Americans would be saving $2.5 BILLION annually on energy costs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the emissions from 3 million cars.

As you’re watching TV and waiting on the laundry, you’ll probably head over to your fridge to grab a snack. If you’re fridge is relatively old, you should consider replacing it with a new and improved energy efficient one. Energy Star qualified refrigerators use 20% less energy than other fridges and cut your energy bills over $165. The older the fridge you’re replacing, the more money you’ll save.

By now, your clothes are probably done drying and you can hop in your hybrid car to pick the kids up from school, but only after you turn off the lights.

What’s so different about an Energy Star house? Thanks to required effective insulation systems, high-performance windows, tight construction and ducts, efficient heating and cooling systems and Energy Star qualified lighting/appliances, Energy Star houses are 20-30% more efficient than standard homes. These requirements may decrease energy, but they don’t decrease design appeal.

The first thing you’ll need to start construction on your energy efficient home is a contract with a builder in a Partnership Agreement with EPA. Builders must construct at least one Energy Star qualified home every 12 months to maintain the partnership, but many builders will build 100% Energy Star qualified homes. These builders know the guidelines and work directly with a selected Home Energy Rater to ensure the regulations are met with quality and precision. The raters will be checking on your home throughout the building process—from the architectural plans to the final touches of construction.  To find a builder partnered with Energy Star, use this Energy Star Partner Locator.

If you’re remodeling instead of rebuilding, a certified Home Energy Rater can come inspect your house to determine if your house is eligible for Energy Star qualification. Even if you don’t decide to go all out and make your home Energy Star qualified, you can still replace various appliances to make a reduction in your energy consumption and cost.

If any of these programs interest you or if you simply wish to environmentally revolutionize your household cleaning products, here are some of Seventh Generations favorite products:

• Disinfecting spray cleaners and wipes that kill 99.99% of germs naturally
• Chlorine Free baby diapers and wipes and 2X concentrated baby laundry liquid
• Natural fabric softener, Natural 2X Concentrated Laundry Liquid, and Natural 2X Concentrated Baby Laundry Liquid for your washing needs
• A Free and Clear line of Dishwasher Rinse Aids, Natural Dish Liquid, and Chlorine Free Bleach
• A carpet spot and stain remover perfect for removing your kid’s ‘oops’ moments without having to hold your breath
• A Natural all purpose cleaner that allows you to sprits down unclean areas and not wear a mask to cover your face as you clean
• A natural multi-surface concentrated cleaner for tougher stains
• 100% recycled bathroom tissue so your toilet paper doesn’t kill any trees
• Recycled trash bags—why use up more trash?
• Dishwater Gel and Powder free of harmful chemicals

Joining the Seventh Generation is easy to do. You’ll fall in love with the top-notch products and breathe easier knowing there are no harmful chemicals being emitted as you clean.

For example, wind can be converted into useful energy through the use of wind turbines for electricity, wind mills for mechanical power, wind pumps for water draining, and sails for ship transportation.  The main problem with using wind as an energy source is people’s “NIMBY” mentality. NIMBY, or ‘Not in my Backyard’, refers to people refusing to allow the construction of wind farms because they are not aesthetically pleasing. There are also geographic limitations on wind energy’s powers—it can only be effective in windy areas.

Another energy alternative that is growing in popularity is biomass. Bioenergy uses organic matter such as crops, trees, wastes and residues, animal wastes, municipal wastes, and other renewable resources to create make biofuels and convert previously worthless matter into energy. Currently, the US uses bioenergy for 3% of its primary energy consumption. The only renewable energy source with more availability in the US is hydropower. According to the US Department of Energy, the hydro electric facilities in the US can create enough power to supply 28 million households with electricity—that’s nearly 500 MILLION barrels of oil.

Though technology continues to advance and energy breakthroughs continue to be made on a small scale, the world is still desperately in need of a more reliable energy source. Since the devastating oil spill in the Gulf Coast, the need for alternate clean energy is even more pressing than ever.