Residential energy credits are available for a variety of home improvement projects through the end of 2010.  These credits expire at the end of the year so start planning now as theses types of projects can take time to schedule and complete.  These credits can save you big bucks on some of these projects- both in the form of the refundable tax credit as well as saving electricity in daily use.  I had a non-qualifying HVAC placed in my downstairs in 2008 and a qualifying highly-efficient unit placed in my upstairs in 2009.  The efficient unit operated better and at a lower electricity unit.  In addition, when you factor in the tax credit the upstairs unit actually cost lest than the downstairs unit.  Here is a first-hand look at some of the things that can be replaced and possibly qualify for the credit: