HOME STAR: A Middle-Class Homeowner’s Perspective
This week Efficiency First received an email from an Illinois homeowner named Tom who’s trying very hard to do the right thing in terms of energy efficiency upgrades. Here’s what he had to say about the proposed HOME STAR incentive program:
I live in Central Illinois and I think this program (HOME STAR-Cash for Caulkers) is probably one of the better ideas yet. We just recently bought a house and because of the latest mortgage meltdown they appraised my house at what I paid for it leaving no room to get a little extra to do energy efficient upgrades.
Currently I am updating all my ductwork from all flex duct (which is what the previous owner installed) to insulated metal ductwork which is going to cost 3-4k, fortunately I have a HVAC contractor willing to give me a 90 days for when my first time house credit comes back. However I still need to insulate, replace my 80% furnace with a 95%, and change my a/c out and several other things.The biggest issue is how to pay for it? This new duct work will save me probably 30% off my heating bills, currently my attic insulation is at R-19 which needs to be closer to R-60 and my crawl space has no insulation at all.
So with the upgrades I want and need to do I could practically save 50% off my heating bills….but I make too much to get government help but not enough to save thousands in the bank along with paying my bills to do the upgrades…..this is called “The middle class syndrome.” Make too much for assistance and not enough to do what needs to be done.
Tom’s experience is illustrative of how pent-up consumer demand for Home Performance retrofits could be unleashed by HOME STAR incentives, especially in combination with affordable energy improvement financing.
Copyright © 2009 Efficiency First ·
Powered by
Hi Morris,
It’s great to hear from a real life homeowner who’s excited by HOME*STAR.
I agree that HOME*STAR will unleash a wave of pent-up demand from smart homeowners who want retrofits now, but can’t afford the investment or risk of the housing market.
Real stories like these can go a long way towards educating other homeowners and advancing HOME*STAR on the national agenda.
Cheers,
Alex Patriquin
Co-Chair of MA Chapter, Efficiency First
Founder & CEO, Wattzy
alex@wattzy.com
Follow us @Wattzy
Check out blog.wattzy.com
It is great to hear Tom’s enthusiasm for his proposed energy updates. However, as an energy consultant, I think his savings figures are considerably inflated. Has he had a HERS rater come in and do an analysis of his house and come up with some real figures? I realize that even the savings figures that one pulls out of REMRate are subject to variation, depending on the lifestyle of the occupants, but I suspect they will be reasonably accurate.
Tom, if you haven’t done so, I suggest you spend about $400 and have a HERS rater do a complete analysis for you upon which you can base your upgrade planning and come up with some realistic figures and payback times. Go to natresnet.org to locate a rater near you.
Good luck, and go for it!
First take flow hood measurements of all registers to see what you are getting now. Your HVAC contractor should have a target in mind for what they SHOULD read, and what he will guaranatee they WILL read after the very very expensive fix. I doubt that changing from flex to metal ductwork will lower your bill. Better would be to makes sure that each flex is pulled tight (removing excess length), and laid on the attic floor. Seal tight at both ends of the flex, and at all trunk joints, then blow over the top making sure that there is at least 6″ of material on top of the ducts. This duct repair costs 100’s of dollars, not 1000’s.
Good luck – it ain’t that hard
Ed Minch
Not seeing the actual text of the program, I too am excited by the prospects of the program. How does this fit withj Waxman-Markey where energy scoring is a major component? HomeStar sounds like all carrots. Waxman-Markey uses a stick that stigmatizes properties and does not, in my opinion achieve the goal of retrofitting homes to be more energy efficient. Thanks to EcoBroker for the information.
I would recomend a hers or BPI test before anything is done. Its money in the bank, and a game plan that uses building science not guess work on what can be done without waisting time and your hard earned money!Please before you do anything contact a HERS or BPI provider!
Most of these items are covered as tax deductions under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Look at the Department of Energy’s web page for more information.