Pouring cement in your basement will not qualify you for an energy efficiency tax credit, but there are plenty of other improvements you can make that will increase your home’s energy efficiency and qualify for the credit.

For example, if you have an older home, you may want to consider adding insulation to your attic or air sealing your home to make it less drafty. Both insulation and air sealing are eligible for the U.S. Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit and the Maine Home Performance program, which covers up to 50 percent of project costs.