The government released more details on the proposed “Homestar Energy Effiency Retrofit Program.” Here are some of the details.
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Rebates delivered directly to consumers: Like the Cash for Clunkers program, consumers would be
eligible for direct HOMESTAR rebates at the point of sale for a variety of
energy-saving investments in their homes. A broad array of vendors, from small
independent building material dealers, large national home improvement chains,
energy efficiency installation professionals and utility energy efficiency
programs (including rural utilities) would market the rebates, provide them directly
to consumers and then be reimbursed by the federal government.
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$1,000 - $1,500 Silver Star Rebates: Consumers looking to have simple upgrades
performed in their homes would be eligible for 50% rebates up to $1,000 -
$1,500 for doing any of a straightforward set of upgrades, including:
insulation, duct sealing, water heaters, HVAC units, windows, roofing and
doors. Under Silver Star, consumers can chose a combination of upgrades for
rebates up to a maximum of $3,000 per home. Rebates would be limited to the
most energy efficient categories of upgrades—focusing on products made
primarily in the
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$3000 Gold Star Rebates: Consumers interested in more comprehensive energy
retrofits would be eligible for a $3,000 rebate for a whole home energy audit
and subsequent retrofit tailored to achieve a 20% energy savings in their
homes. Consumers could receive additional rebate amounts for energy savings in
excess of 20%. Gold Star would build on existing whole home retrofit programs,
like EPA’s successful Home Performance with Energy Star program.
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Oversight to Ensure Quality Installations: 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.
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Support for financing: The program would include support to State and
local governments to provide financing options for consumers seeking to make
efficiency investments in their homes. This will help ensure that consumers can
afford to make these investments.
For more details, you can visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/fact-sheet-homestar-energy-efficiency-retrofit-program