It hasn't been 2012 very long, and we're already getting inquiries regarding federal tax credits. Since we know everyone likes to save money and energy - preferably at the same time - here is the rundown on what you can get tax credits for, and how long you have to get them.

First, we'll answer the question: Have the 2011 federal tax credits been extended into 2012?

The short answer is, no. There have been no extensions to the federal tax credits. If that changes, however, we will update you here on the blog and on our Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency page.

Next, we'll add some clarification about the tax credits: [More]

2011 proved to be another successful year for consumers wanting to save money and energy at home. The Energy Savers website continues to be a great resource for readers interested in learning more about energy efficiency and tips for saving money and energy at home and on the road—and ways to use renewable energy.

Here’s a look at the past year’s 10 most popular Web pages:

10. Demand (Tankless or Instantaneous) Water Heaters

Demand (tankless or instantaneous) water heaters provide hot water only as it is needed. They don't produce the standby energy losses associated with storage water heaters, which can save you money. Here you'll find basic information about how they work, whether a demand water heater might be right for your home, and what criteria to use when selecting the right model. [More]

Our 1970's-vintage house always seemed a bit too welcoming when howling winter winds swept up Colorado's foothills. Each year, the annual road show staged by Jack Frost and his Chillers would take center stage in our home despite our best efforts to keep these rowdies at bay.

There were plenty of reasons why this happened. Instead of playing the role of picky bouncers, our doors acted more like enthused Middle School kids at a Justin Bieber concert, welcoming the arctic Canadian travelers though gaps in the doorjambs and frames. The leaky windows were no better, taking up the rattling chorus and forcing us to crank up our thermostat. I'm surprised someone from our utility company wasn't outside selling custom "It's Cool to be Cold" T-shirts for this expensive draft-a-palooza. [More]

This week, Andrea showcased the new Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) incentive search widget, which people can use to quickly find rebates and other incentives for purchasing renewable energy or energy-efficient items for their homes and businesses. Eric continued the theme by highlighting the different ways to Save Money on Your Energy-Saving Upgrades. [More]

Summer is one of the best times of the year to get motivated to make those energy efficiency upgrades on your to-do list, and the Department of Energy can point you to some incentives to make the initial investment more affordable. Energy-saving products will save you considerable money over the long term, helping these products pay for themselves and significantly reducing your monthly energy bills.

Homeowners ready to take advantage of the savings should check out the energy efficiency tax credits offered through the IRS and promoted by the Department of Energy. [More]

The Energy Savers mailbox gets requests for the latest in tax credits, appliance rebates, and other energy efficiency incentives on a regular basis. So when the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) released its new incentive search widget, we were thrilled to post it on the Rebates, Tax Credits, & Financing section of the website! [More]