Understanding HOME STAR Legislation
President Barack Obama and Congress are currently developing a new program to stimulate job growth through a significant increase in home weatherization activity. According to a report by the President’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board, what is taking shape is a HOME STAR program designed to rapidly increase demand.
The concept is based, in part, on the Retrofit for Energy and Environment Performance (REEP) incentives, which the The National Trust for Historic Preservation supports, that are currently in the House and Senate energy/climate change bills. The new weatherization jobs program is designed to be rolled out quickly. In brief, it creates a new, two-track approach to achieving energy efficiency – SILVER STAR and GOLD STAR. The SILVER STAR would create a list of eligible measures and product s that can be purchased which qualify the homeowner with a matching payment from the government. The GOLD STAR program, much like REEP, is performance-based and would require an energy audit and the use of certified contractors to do the work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HOME STAR?
HOME STAR, sometimes referred to as the "Cash for Caulkers" program, is a proposed federal rebate program for homeowners who want to reduce energy use in their homes. The HOME STAR bill was introduced in the Senate on March 25, 2010, and it passed the House of Representatives on May 6. The bill is designed to meet the dual goals of creating jobs and improving the energy efficiency of homes. Supporters of the legislation expect that HOME STAR will be considered as part of a forthcoming jobs bill.
The program offers two paths – one that is product based (the silver path) and one that is performance based (the gold path).
Under the silver path, consumers can receive rebates of up to $3000 for the purchase of various products, including those for air sealing, insulation, new heating and air conditioning equipment, window and door replacement, and new storm units. Under the gold path, homeowners will work with professionals who audit homes and provide tailored recommendations improve energy efficiency most effectively. The National Trust for Historic Preservation advocates such performance-based retrofits, which considers unique conditions of a particular building, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. Gold Star provides home owners with $3,000 for a 20% reduction in home energy consumption, and an additional $1,000 for each 5% reduction up to $8,000, or 50% of the total retrofit cost, whichever is less.
How would HOME STAR help owners of historic homes?
Many retrofit strategies for historic and non-historic homes are the same (replacing old heating and cooling equipment and installing insulation in attics and crawlspaces, for example). However, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has been working with the Alliance to Save Energy, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and key members of Congress to make sure that the HOME STAR legislation meets the specific needs of owners of historic homes.
Previous drafts of the legislation did not allow for the purchase of storm windows, but thanks to friends of preservation in Congress, including Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Peter Welch (D-VT), the Senate bill includes language allowing owners to purchase new storm windows for homes listed on, or eligible for, the National Register of Historic Places. The House version allows for the purchase of new or replacement storm windows and doors for any home.
How do homeowners claim the rebates?
As with the "Cash for Clunkers" program, consumers would be eligible for direct HOME STAR rebates at the point of sale. As the White House explains, "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." Rebates will apply to materials, labor, and other installation-related costs.
Why do we need HOME STAR?
The operation of our nation's buildings accounts for well over 40% of the United States' carbon emissions. Reducing energy usage in our nation's housing stock is especially important to addressing climate change, yet the costs of retrofitting homes can be prohibitive. The HOME STAR bill offers substantial incentives – up to an $8000 rebate – for homeowners to green their homes.
Comments
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Submitted by Pane In The Glass at: November 28, 2010
I'm still waiting on Dates to these classes threw the Salem Recreation and Beverly Recreations Departments. Home owners are EXEMPT from this new Fed. Lead Laws. We will teach you how to Energize your home or building that will outperform any window,energy wise and mechanicaly longer than Any window on the market today. These windows have already STOOD THE TEST OF TIME!
Submitted by Pane In The Glass at: November 28, 2010
I will be teaching The TRUTH About Old Wood Windows a full breakdown and restoration proccedures and info on buying all the products nessisarry to do it yourself. I'm giving up my biz, because of how they want us to remove this lead paint/with PLASTICS!, wich is 100times more toxic than the lead paint! Now our Great Grandkids will have twice as much toxins to get rid of! So why are they trying to take the plastics out of our foods? It's the worst CANCER CAUSING AGENT ON THE EARTH! DIOXINS ARE KILLING US!
Submitted by Marjan at: May 17, 2010
How can I initiate the God Star program for my house. Who do I contact?
Submitted by bulleye at: May 11, 2010
This Home-Star baloney can only be taken advantage of by homeowners who are "do-it yourselfers". Only the wealthy will be able to afford to hire out someone to perform these questionable upgrades due to the new lead-paint rules imposed by the EPA, where, if they "catch" a contractor installing a storm window, for instance, without using plastic barricades with warning signs and also wearing a paper "space-suit", the contractor will be subject to a fine of $37,500 per day/per occurrence. Or you can simply tear down the house, for which this is perfectly legal. Questions? Contact the EPA and see for yourself. Our tax dollars hard at work.
Submitted by Brando at: May 7, 2010
We have oil heat,and some electrical units. Current cost reduction for decreasing energy usage is not available for home owners that have oil heat. Not Evan to help switch to an electric heat pump. Will this Home Star Bill help home owners with oil heat?
Submitted by John Leeke, American Preservationeer at: January 1, 2010
kate writes: "...We wanted to use a V-shaped metal weatherstripping that fits into the runners. We searched for the product and ...were told it is no longer made..." This is a common myth promoted by the building products industry that would rather sell you a whole new plastic window. Of course you can still get metal weatherstripping. Find several sources right over here at the Historic HomeWorks Forum: http://historichomeworks.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1444 John www.HistoricHomeWorks.com
Submitted by SpokaneRose at: December 28, 2009
These are great suggestions to improve the HomeStar Program. I love the windows on my old home and have found that wood interior air cell storms have been marvelously effective both on the monthly utility bill and on our comfort in those rooms. I am always disappointed that people are encouraged to replace old windows rather than restore and storm them. I am house superintendent in a large historic building where 10 wonderful windows were removed and replaced with "energy efficient windows". The new windows, 10 years later need replacing, because they are broken or leaking. Vinyl windows do not stand up to wear and tear so the replacement cost is far more significant than any energy savings for the few years these windows functioned. Old windows in the older part of the building, not replaced, still work great and and have the added value in that they look like they belong on the building. We need workers who understand old houses. It is so frustrating to spend my time teaching the worker who I am paying how to do the job right.
Submitted by kate at: December 24, 2009
We recently refurbished two windows in our 1889 house. We wanted to use a v shaped metal insulation that fits into the runners. We searched for the product and could only purchase enough for 1.5 windows and were told it is no longer made. How does this help restoring old windows? Product availability is necessary. If they don't make it, we can't buy it!
Submitted by RedoSue at: December 21, 2009
When the idea was proposed to make Historic Buildings more Energy efficient, I knew this would impose restrictions to change history. What is this administration planning to do, erase all of the historical details, thus history itself. Details on many of the homes and buildings have stood the test of time. It certainly does not need a Socialist Administration to erase the beauty of detail, character, and longevity just to save grace in the international field of "lower emission" concerns. When living in an historic home, the home owner should consider the lifestyle of how the orginal owner would have combated the weather of cold and heat. For the most part, most of the occupants would consider the season and dress the windows and doorways appropriately by using heavy velvet, lined drapery panels to keep the draft out. In the New England homes, interior shutters of wood would be placed in the deep wells of the windows to protect the draftiness of cold air. The summer poses the use of lighter weight fabrics to sheild the warmth and used panels to dim the direct sunlight. Trees were planted in areas to shield the direct sunlight as well. We live in Historic homes for their beauty, not ours. We must appreciate the structure of history, and adjust to its demands,not for ours. Many traits were used then and can be used again to keep the historic features be free from beaurcratic harms.
Submitted by spshlk4 at: December 21, 2009
please make sure in the storm window section that APPROPRIATE storms for historic homes be used! Wood storms are much more energy efficient-metal conducts cold-and can be made to co-ordinate with historic exteriors. Removab;e panels can be made to change from screen to storm use, as well.
Submitted by John Leeke at: December 21, 2009
While there are some tradespeople who are skilled in saving old windows, training more is a critical issue. There are now a few training programs, which need financial support, and many more training programs need to be set up. John Leeke www.HistoricHomeWorks.com
Submitted by Reader at: December 21, 2009
Try to tell this to the Fed Dept of Energy. Look at their WEB site and try to find help for historic home owners in their Weatherization information. No real go. And they are a perceived authority on the subject of weatherization. As a fed agency they have a historic preservation committee. The agency's weatherization information can be changed.
Submitted by lswoodall at: December 19, 2009
I agree.
Submitted by window hugger at: December 19, 2009
Thank You for speaking out against the American obsession with replacement windows. Why it seems so many are determined to basterdise wonderful vintage homes with bad vinyl replacement windows is beyond me. Unfortunately our Real Estate prefessionals in this country only exascerbate the problem.
Submitted by Bill at: December 19, 2009
Someone was really thinking when these recommendations were compiled. I especially like the suggestion of making it easy for people to buy from local (smaller) lumber yards - a dying breed which needs saving. I also applaud the comment about using appropriate doors.
Submitted by David at: December 19, 2009
Since I live in a hurricane-threatened area, I would need to include high wind protection in any window retrofit. Still looking for a thermally efficient, hurricane adaptable, preservation-sensitive window.
Submitted by lori at: December 19, 2009
Please include exterior doors in your recommendations. Some really inappropriate doors are being placed on historic buildings in the name of weatherization.
Submitted by Jamie at: December 18, 2009
all for strong incentives for keeping existing windows. Couple of other things, too, though: incentives for repair and rehabilitation of existing heating systems should be included. All too often older heating systems have suffered neglect, but need very little -- but intelligent -- work to bring them fully up to the latest standards of efficiency and comfort. This would require some training and publicity... And the other thing would be to come up with some sort of tax credit or something of the sort for restoration of historic private residences (perhaps limited to National Register eligible, and certainly limited to genuine restoration) including energy efficiency projects. At the moment, the private house is pretty well on its own.
Submitted by Richard at: December 18, 2009
The recommendations in this article, if adopted, could save homeowners of historic buildings significant money, while providing a trained workforce for restoration of historic buildings. The replacement of historic windows is unnecessary if windows are properly retrofitted and quality storm windows installed. Even interior storm windows can provide additional savings. I'm a retired professor of architecture with a specialty in energy-efficient design and environmental controls and historic preservation. Let me know if I can help.
Submitted by Anonymous at: December 18, 2009
I think the first step of rewarding people who do a comprehensive home energy audit will help eliminate unnecessary window replacements. It would be interesting to add in not only storm windows, but some sort of qualified insulated blinds.