Eco-friendly tax breaks

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The 11th Annual Austin Spring Home and Garden Show was in full bloom this weekend. The Austin Convention Center was transformed into a home owner's paradise. Nearly 300 local vendors took part in the event. Many of them offered ways to remodel houses and yards in an eco-friendly way.

"This is a stream we built," said Heather McLean, Goodness Grows in Austin Owner. "It's amazing what we could do with a convention center concrete floor."

During the three day event, people learned how to make their own home and garden more earth-friendly. From solar panels to spray foam insulation, environmentally-friendly remodeling can save home owners anywhere from 50 to 60 percent on their energy bills

"It's not just doing something for the environment, it's doing something for your pocketbook as well," said Curah Beard, Show Manager.

The Federal government is also offering up to $500 in energy efficiency and renewable energy tax credits. Home owners can save 10 percent off their environmentally-friendly projects like installing energy efficient windows, exterior doors, roofing, insulation, furnaces, hot water heaters, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning improvements.

For more information, visit Alliance to Save Energy at http://ase.org/content/article/detail/2862 or Energy Star at http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits or Department of Energy http://www.energy.gov/taxbreaks.htm Web Sites.