As the weather turns chilly in many parts of the country, homeowners are looking at improvements to help them keep their energy costs down - and the government can help with part of the bill.

Upgrade your insulation, windows, doors, roofing, heating and air-conditioning system or water heater, and you could qualify for a federal tax credit for 30% of the purchase price of the product - up to a $1,500 maximum credit.

The credits can be claimed on a homeowner's income taxes for 2009 or 2010, whatever year the improvements were purchased. With a credit, the amount comes off any taxes you owe. The credit is nonrefundable, meaning it allows taxpayers to lower their tax liability to zero, but not below zero, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

"It's a good time to be thinking about this," said Ronnie Kweller, spokeswoman for the Alliance to Save Energy. The alliance notes that a more energy-efficient home, along with the lower fuel costs and the mild weather expected for this winter, should make for lower heating bills - a blessing for many cash-strapped consumers

To qualify for the credit, you must place those purchases in service between Jan. 1, 2009, and Dec. 31, 2010.

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