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

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 by the House, will dole out $ 5.7 billion over two years for a program aimed to stimulate the construction industry, which has been gutted severely 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.

Cash for Caulkers and details

With Cash for Caulkers 2010, homeowners may not need quick cash for thousands of dollars in energy-saving home improvements. The name of the bill is word-play inspired by the 2009 Cash for Clunkers bill that encouraged vehicle buyers to get rid of their gas hogs. CBS News reports that Cash for Caulkers information consist of two programs: There is the Silver Star program that 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 more than 20 percent.

Rules in Cash for Caulkers

To prevent fraud, Cash for Caulkers rules require licensing for all participating contractors and a certain percentage of projects could 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. This credit is worth up to $ 1,500 per improvement and capped at $ 3,000 or 50 percent of the total project cost. Following an energy audit, the Gold Star program can provide $ 3,000 for energy savings of 20 percent, with an additional $ 1,000 for each and every additional 5 percent energy savings. This can be capped at $ 8,000 or fifty percent of the cost.

Home energy audit in Cash for Caulkers

Cash for Caulkers information about the Gold Star home energy audit requirement can be found on the web. A home energy auditor can help home owners assess how much energy their homes use and evaluate what measures will improve efficiency. Five minutes and the last 12 months of utility bills are all it takes to do an at home energy audit using energystar.gov. A professional home energy auditor will tell you a lot more energy savings. A professional home energy auditor could be using a variety of equipment a lot 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 in the house. CBS News reports that the Senate will likely attach Cash for Caulkers 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, which would end up saving $ 9.2 billion in home energy costs over 10-years. It should create 168,000 jobs. The Cash for Caulkers bill would approve $ 600 million over two years for grants to states for replacing mobile homes with a lot more energy efficient models.

Article Resources

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