The holiday season is in full swing. We've been focusing on ways to keep our homes warm during the cold months of winter, whether we're home or on vacation. In case you've missed anything this month, here's a recap of November along with some important reminders.

Did You Know...

• Thinking about completing a home energy efficiency project? Check our Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency page to see what federal tax incentives are available before you purchase and install.


• Rebates for ENERGY STAR® appliances are still available in some states and territories. If you're in the market for an appliance,check if your state is one of them before you buy.


• Find local incentives using the new Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) widget.

On the Blog, In Case You Missed It

This Month

• Saving Energy: The Next Generation
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This week, we discussed how consumers are financing solar energy systems and the new PowerSaver pilot loan program, which will help consumers finance energy-saving improvements for their homes. When making home improvements, cost is almost always a consideration, and sometimes upfront costs can put some energy-saving technologies out of reach. But some homeowners have found ways to purchase efficient products or use renewable technologies that doesn't require a huge cash investment upfront. Others may make the purchase with cash, knowing they'll get a chunk of their investment back in the form of rebates or tax credits.

How do you finance energy-saving improvements?

Each Thursday, you have the chance to share your thoughts on a question about energy efficiency or renewable energy for consumers. Please comment with your answers, and also feel free to respond to other comments. [More]

For anybody who has heard about the many benefits of upgrading your home with an energy efficient water heater or furnace—or has wanted to make simple energy-saving home improvements such as insulating their attic, sealing their ducts, and installing better doors and windows—there may be a new financing option coming to a lender near you.

As readers of this blog know, putting energy efficient products and installing renewable energy systems in your home can slash your monthly energy bills, but a hurdle that some would-be energy savers run up against is difficulty covering the initial costs of energy efficient products, which may cost a bit more up front than conventional ones. Unfortunately, many families opt to buy the cheaper product even though it will cost them more over the long haul. However, with a financing program to help them purchase the products that make sense for them, many homeowners will make the energy-smart choice. [More]

Editor's Note: This entry has been cross-posted from DOE's Energy Blog.

We commonly think that the sun provides free energy. That’s true, but photovoltaic panels and other equipment to harvest that energy aren’t free. The question is: how are they paid for?

U.S. residential and commercial solar system customers have historically paid the old-fashioned way: with cash. But the large upfront cash requirements can place solar energy systems out of reach for many utility customers. Financial markets are responding and increasingly providing solar customers with new options. Purchases can be rolled into mortgage refinances, and consumers can opt to lease solar equipment just as they can lease a car. Others are choosing power purchase agreements, in which homeowners host equipment on their roof or property. In these agreements, homeowners neither buy nor lease the equipment; instead they agree to purchase the power produced.

The growing list of financing options is exciting, but we don’t know much about what type of financing consumers are choosing, how often and with what results.

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As you're probably aware by now, every state and U.S. territory has been given funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to allow eligible consumers to receive rebates for the purchase of new energy-efficient appliances when they replace used appliances.

So, how's the program working? The answer is: great overall. The response has been enormous (as many of you have probably witnessed) as people have purchased an unprecedented number of washers, dryers, and other home appliances.

Here's an example of the program's impact in Florida: [More]

The last time we talked about U.S. federal tax credits was in January where we posted 5 (More) Things to Know Before You Claim Your Energy Tax Credit: Part 2. You might think the information is outdated at this point, but that's not the case. (NOTE: This is not the same as the Rebates for ENERGY STAR^® Appliances program, which is a state-by-state incentive and cannot be claimed on your federal tax return.)

While there are several items that are only eligible for tax credits on your 2009 and 2010 tax returns, many more are eligible through 2016. That leaves plenty of time to plan ahead —especially for big-ticket items such as geothermal heat pumps and small wind electric systems. [More]