The federal government is reviewing a plan that would provide cash incentives to homeowners who complete home weatherization projects. According the initial document, the government is prepared to set aside $23 billion dollars for the program, which would encourage homeowners to undertake such projects as air sealing, insulation, and installing energy-saving appliances.

The proposed name for the program is Home Star, to jive with the established ENERGY STAR program, which promotes energy efficiency. However, the media has humorously dubbed the program “Cash for Caulkers”, which is similar to the government’s now-expired “Cash for Clunkers” program, which incented people to trade in their old cars (i.e. clunkers) in favor of purchasing a new car.

Multiple Benefits

The “Caulkers” program is an extension of the government’s earlier Recovery Through Retrofit report, which laid the groundwork for a self-sustaining home energy retrofit industry. The intention of that report, as well as the “Cash for Caulkers” program, is to stimulate job creation, to decrease our impact on the environment, and to provide monthly savings to homeowners through reduced energy costs.

Good News for Homeowners, Auditors, Contractors and Manufacturers

The program is good news for homeowners, who can earn up to $4000 in rebates while increasing their home’s energy efficiency (which will save them even more money on their energy bills each month). And the $23 billion injection into the weatherization industry is good news for energy efficiency retrofit contractors, manufacturers and home energy auditors.

Create More Than 500,000 Jobs

Efficiency First, a trade organization for the energy efficiency industry estimates that the program would create more than 500,000 new jobs. As it stands now, over half of the $23 billion of the program’s budget would provide rebates for retrofit projects according to the percentage of improvement in the home’s energy efficiency. An additional $2 billion would be spent directly on home energy audits, to ensure the proposed work met the intended results. However, the amount spent on home energy audits may be significantly larger, as some audits may be funded by energy efficient mortgage lenders, and other audits would be funded by homeowners, in order to assess the best areas for improvements.

Prime Employment Opportunity

The financial boost to the energy efficiency industry creates a prime opportunity for people wanting to enter the industry. Home inspectors and remodelers should consider adding home energy audits to their roster of services in order to cash in on this growing industry. Those currently unemployed due to the economic crisis might consider starting a new career as a home energy auditor. With no pre-requisite training or knowledge required, relatively little expense and a short training cycle, you could start a rewarding new career in a growing industry that helps people as well as the environment.

Complete Training and Certification Program

Home Energy Team Institute offers a complete training program for home energy auditors. Browse the website for more information about home energy auditing and the courses offered. You can sign up online, or call 1-800-518-1877 for more information.

In October, 2009, the Federal Government released a report entitled, Recovery Through Retrofit, where it set the ground work to kick-start a self-sustaining energy efficiency retrofit industry across the United States. The report was a collaboration between various government departments, including the Department of Energy, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Labor, the Office of the Vice President and the Executive Office of the President.

The Recovery Through Retrofit report seeks to benefit the country in several ways; by creating jobs in the energy efficiency retrofit industry, by helping homeowners to save money on their energy bills, and by reducing our nation’s impact on the environment.

The plan intends to tap into the $80 billion in the Recovery Act allocated to projects related to the environment and reductions in energy consumption.

The recommendations in the Recovery Through Retrofit plan intend to remove barriers that have prevented the energy retrofit industry from developing. The plan will:

1. Improve the information available to homeowners so they can make more informed decisions about energy retrofit. This will include developing a national standard for measuring home energy efficiency, and developing a benchmark such as ENERGY STAR certification for existing homes that meet certain standards of energy efficiency.
2. Improve homeowners’ access to financing for energy efficient retrofits by improving access to low interest loans and energy efficient mortgages.
3. Establish national training and certification standards for energy efficiency and retrofit workers, to improve consumer confidence in the industry and provide standardization.
4. Help energy audit and retrofit businesses by providing access to technical training as well as business training, in order to help businesses thrive even after stimulus money has been exhausted.

For more information about the Recovery Through Retrofit plan, read the document here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/Recovery_Through_Retrofit_Final_Report.pdf

The government’s firm commitment to establishing a self-sustained energy efficiency industry is good news for anyone in the energy assessment and retrofit industry, and anyone entering it now. The plan will create hundreds of thousands of jobs for Americans, helping the economic recovery for our country.

In the current economic downturn, many Americans are looking to start a new career or a new business.

Even if you don’t have any experience with energy assessments or retrofits, you can get into the industry as a home energy auditor quickly by completing your classroom training and passing the required certification exams. You can get certified in a matter of a couple of months, and be on your way to a new career.

The Home Energy Team Institute offers complete training and certification by both RESNET and BPI, the two organizations that set the standards for energy efficiency in the US. You will receive classroom instruction to learn the theory behind energy efficiency and how to conduct a home energy audit, as well as practical training for using diagnostic equipment such as the blower door, duct blaster and infrared camera.

Visit www.HomeEnergyTeamInstitute.com for more information, or call 1-800-518-1877.