Chances are you have given some thought to your home’s cooling and heating systems this hot, steamy summer. It’s very MoneySmart of you, especially considering time is running out on a federal tax credit scheduled to expire Dec. 31.

If you buy certain qualifying energy-efficient heating and cooling products for your home, the government will credit you 30 percent of the cost, up to $1,500.

Here’s what is covered: Biomass stoves, such as pellet and wood-burning stoves, used to heat the home or water. They must have a thermal efficiency rating of at least 75 percent.

Advanced main air circulating fans, which help move the furnace’s hot air through the duct system. To qualify, it must use less than 2 percent of the furnace’s total energy.

Air source heat pumps, an alternative to traditional furnaces. They move heat rather than generate it.

Central air conditioning may qualify, ask your HVAC contractor which models do.

Gas, propane or oil hot water boilers with an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating of 90 or greater.

Natural gas or propane furnace with an AFUE rating of 95 or greater.

Oil furnaces with an AFUE rating of 90 or greater.

Insulation of all kinds, including batting, rolls and blow-in fibers. Weather stripping, seals, caulk and house wrap may also qualify. You can even do the installation yourself and still be eligible for a credit on the materials.

Metal and asphalt roofs with qualifying pigmented coatings or cooling granules.

Non-solar water heaters, such as gas, oil and propane water heaters, must have an Energy Factor of 0.82 or greater, or a thermal efficiency of at least 90 percent. Electric water heaters must have an Energy Factor of 2.0 or greater.

Windows, doors and skylights with aUFactor of 0.30 or less and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of 0.30 or less. Storm windows and doors must also haveaUFactor and SHGC of 0.30 or less.

Some important reminders: The products and systems purchased must be for your principal residence in order to qualify. New construction and rentals aren’t eligible for the credit.

The tax credit is nonrefundable, so you can’t get more back in tax credits than you paid in federal income tax.

The $1,500 cap is per home, not per person. And even if you make multiple qualifying energy-efficient purchases, your total credits cannot exceed $1,500 for the years 2009 and 2010.

Aside from insulation, roofing, windows and doors, installation costs also count toward the tax credit.

To apply, you’ll need to save your receipts as well as the manufacturer’s certification statement that came with your purchase (it’s a signed statement that shows the product qualifies for the credit). When you file your taxes, you’ll submit form 5695.

Not all Energy Star systems qualify —each category has its own efficiency requirements in order to qualify for the credit. Go to EnergyStar.gov for more information.

schristmann@buffnews.comnull