Wednesday, May 12, 2010

168,000 Jobs, $ 9.2 Billion In Energy Savings - Cash Of Caulkers

Cash For Caulkers - $ 9.2 Billion In Energy Savings, 168,000 Jobs

Cash for Caulkers 2010, which is known as the Home Star bill also, gives homeowners rebates from $ 3,000 to $ 8,000 for energy-efficient improvements to their homes. The Cash for Caulkers 2010 bill, which was passed on Thursday, will dole out $ 5.7 billion over two years for a program aimed to stimulate the construction industry, which has been severely gutted by the recession. Republicans were nearly united in being against the Cash for Caulkers bill which needs Senate approval still before Obama can sign it.

Details in Cash for Caulkers

Homeowners won't need instant cash for thousands of dollars in energy saving home improvements with Cash for Caulkers 2010. The bill is very much inspired by the Cash for Clunkers 2009 bill that encouraged automobile buyers to get rid of their gas hogs. CBS News reports that Cash for Caulkers details consist of two programs: The Silver Star program provides upfront rebates of up to $ 3,000 for specific energy-efficient improvements in homes, such as installing energy-efficient appliances or duct sealing, insulation or new windows or doors. A Gold Star program entitles individuals to up to $ 8,000 when they conduct comprehensive energy audits and implement measures that reduce their energy used throughout their homes by a lot more than 20 percent.

Cash for Caulkers rules

To prevent fraud, Cash for Caulkers rules require licensing for all participating contractors and a certain percentage of projects can be inspected. The Silver Star program provides upfront rebates for renovations such as insulation, improved windows and doors and water heaters at the time of purchase. The credit could be used for up to $ 1500 per improvement and is capped at $ 3,000 or at least fifty percent of the total cost. Following an energy audit, the Gold Star program will provide $ 3,000 for energy savings of at least 20 percent, with an additional $ 1,000 for each and every additional 5 percent energy savings. This rebate is capped at $ 8,000 or 50 percent of the project cost.

Cash for Caulkers home energy audit

Cash for Caulkers details about the Gold Star home energy audit requirement can be found on the web. A home energy auditor can help you determine how much energy you use and can conserve with improvements. Five minutes and also the last 12 months of utility bills are all it takes for a do-it-yourself home energy audit using energystar.gov. Professional home energy auditors can deliver a lot more energy savings. A professional home energy auditor can be using a variety of equipment more effective for testing such as blower doors, which measure the rate heating or cooling escapes the home, and infrared cameras, which reveal hard-to-detect areas of air infiltration and missing insulation.

Cash for Caulker's impact on economy

Cash for Caulkers moves to the Senate now that it has passed within the house. CBS news suggests the Cash for Caulkers bill can be attached to the next jobs bill. Supporters of the Cash for Caulkers bill say it could create 168,000 jobs. They also estimate that 3 million households could take advantage of its programs, saving $ 9.2 billion in home energy costs over 10-years. They said it would create 168,000 jobs. The Cash for Caulkers bill would approve at least $ 600 million over two years for grants to states for replacing their mobile homes with more energy efficient models.

Sources

CBS News reports

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/05/06/politics/main6467175.shtml

energy audit

http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/energy_audits/index.cfm/mytopic=11160

energystar.gov

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_audits



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