Make the Home Star Program Happen
Have you heard the buzz about the new HOME STAR Program and how it could work for many middle-class American’s looking to retro-fit their homes around Northern Virginia? Mirroring the “Cash for Clunkers” program that got so many energy hogging automobiles off of the roads, the anticipated HOME STAR Program will allow for energy efficient upgrades to be made to homes while giving back generous rebates to participating homeowners and creating many new jobs in the sustainable development field. Here is the down low on this new program and how it could affect our Northern Virginia Communities.
Number one advocates for this amazing new program, The Home Star Coalition states that “the program will move quickly, with a minimum of red tape, and will act as a bridge to long-term market development of existing industries. This initiative establishes a $6 billion rebate program to encourage immediate investment in energy-efficient appliances, building mechanical systems and insulation, and whole-home energy efficiency retrofits. HOME STAR will rapidly create jobs in both construction and manufacturing, while saving families money on their energy bills.”
What can we expect from the HOME STAR Program? The HOME STAR Coalition breaks down the two consumer incentives quite simply:
1. The SILVER STAR prescriptive path provides a near-term incentive for specific energy saving investments that is simple to administer and easily introduced into the existing marketplace. Homeowners receive between $1,000 and $1,500 for each measure installed in the home, or $250 per appliance, with a benefit not exceeding $3,000 or at least 50% of total project costs (whichever is less). Covered measures include air sealing; attic, wall, and crawl space insulation; duct sealing or replacement; and replacement of existing windows and doors, furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, water heaters and appliances with high-efficiency models. The legislation will utilize existing standards for qualifying products at a level sufficient to significantly increase consumer demand for highly energy efficient building materials and mechanical systems. SILVER STAR improvements may be implemented by any appropriately licensed and insured contractor, but all participating contractors will receive information about opportunities for accreditation and training programs.
2. The GOLD STAR performance path offers an incentive to households that choose to conduct a comprehensive energy audit and then implement a variety of measures that are designed together to provide greater total returns in energy savings. This performance path represents the future of home efficiency: state-of-the-art building science is used to identify problems, present solutions and deliver verifiable energy savings, generating confidence among homeowners and investors alike. This technology-neutral approach is based on performance, not specific products, so market forces will direct funds to solutions that achieve the best results. A certified professional with accreditation from the Building Performance Institute (BPI), the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) or an approved equivalent conducts an energy audit before work begins, and a test-out when the performance retrofit is complete. Consumers receive $3,000 for modeled savings of 20%, plus an additional $1,500 incentive for each additional 5% of modeled energy savings, with incentives not to exceed 50% of project costs. Contractors implementing the GOLD STAR performance path must be BPI accredited.
This program is aiming to create jobs in the lagging construction industry and embracing the concept of sustainability in building. Northern Virginia hasn’t seen much of the construction lag, as we have actually been mentioned on the top of the list of areas least affected by recession, however, retrofitting homes has never been more important. Not only is the program hoping to ramp up construction, but also educate the public about follow through. All projects that are eligible for rebates must be completed and inspected by certified energy efficiency installers; our friends at EcoBroker International point out “The program would require that contractors be certified to perform efficiency installations. Independent quality assurance providers would conduct field audits after work is completed to ensure proper installation so consumers receive energy savings from their upgrades. States would oversee the implementation of quality assurance to ensure that the program was moving the industry toward more robust standards and comprehensive energy retrofit practices.” The fact is that we have to put teeth into our programs in order to ensure that sustainability can truly be achieved. By implementing regulations that require professionally certified installers and inspectors to be a part of this program, better construction will hopefully be attained and sustained.
We are currently in the holding pattern to see if the program will pass. If you think that this program would be beneficial, you can reach out to your local senator and or check out the HOME STAR Coalition’s website for more details.
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