If you didn’t, and you’re kicking yourself as you shiver in the cold, you still have options.

At the last minute, the government added a suite of less-generous but still useful energy tax credits, available only to those who didn’t take advantage of the 2009-2010 program. Among these is a $500 credit for insulation.

Tax credit limits and deadlines:

  • 10% of expenditures, up to $500 for the year, for all energy improvements combined.
  • Install the insulation by Dec. 31, 2011—or gamble on another extension.
  • Save receipts and labels for Uncle Sam.