Nov. 7--LIMA -- The advertisements promise easy cash, thousands of dollars in federal money available for the asking for anyone doing home remodels.

The reality is, there are state and federal tax credits available for a multitude of home upgrades, but not every upgrade counts and there are rules to follow if you want to collect.

On the federal front, the 2009 federal stimulus package includes up to $1,500 in tax credits for people who buy or install energy efficient products in 2009 and 2010. There is a long list of items eligible for the credit, including certain roofing materials, insulation, windows, doors, heating and air conditioning systems, water heaters and some biomass stoves.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, has been making a push in recent weeks to make sure Ohio residents take advantage of the credit. A representative from his office, along with regional economic development Director Jerry Good, will present seminars on the credits during this week's Home and Energy Expo at Veterans Memorial Civic Center.

The programs runs through 2010, but homeowners need to have products installed by the end of this year if they want to count it on their 2009 taxes.

"The senator has been working to connect Ohioans with resources through the Recovery Act and other resources from the federal government, including tax credits and other programs," said spokeswoman Meghan Dubyak.

The federal credit is based on what you buy and how much you spend. Homeowners can spend up to $5,000 during the two year period on a single or multiple products, and get 30 percent or $1,500 back as a tax credit. If they get the entire $1,500 credit in 2009, they can't get anything additional in 2010.

Federal tax credits aren't the only help out there. The state of Ohio has two programs to assist with the purchase of energy efficient systems and appliances.

The state's ECO-Link program, through the Ohio Treasurer's office, provides special loan rate for residents buying energy efficient systems for their homes. Working with area banks, the state will help reduce the interest rate on loans for those upgrades by three percent.

Beginning next year, the state will also offer a rebate on certain energyefficient appliances through the Department of Development. Cash rebates will range from $100 for someone buying a new refrigerator to $250 for an electric heat pump water heater.

The programs do more than provide extra money to Ohio residents, Good said. New appliances can save homeowners up to 30 percent on energy costs. And because the state rebates are attached to Ohio-made appliances, organizers hope it will create work for Ohioans.

"These are rebates on items actually being manufactured in Ohio so what we want to see happen for our manufacturers is an increase in sales," Good said. "It also helps the homeowner because it lowers utility cost and that's a savings that keeps going."

You can comment on this story at www.limaohio.com.

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