The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

You must get and install the energy efficient appliances between January 1, 2009 until December 31, 2010.

The energy efficient improvements must be done on your property, principle residence.

If you make the energy efficient improvements to your second home or rental/investment properties by installing solar water heaters, solar panels, small wind energy systems you may be eligible for tax credits under Obama's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The maximum tax credit that is allowd is $1,500 for all of the energy efficient improvements you make, except for the instances where you installed : geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, solar panel arrays, fuel cells, and small wind energy systems. These items are not subject to the $1,500 cap and eligible for a larger 30% tax credit. Special provisions apply to fuel cells and building a new principle residence. (please contact your tax preparer for more information on this).