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Cash for Caulkers? How 'bout Savings for Spot Coolers!

Posted by: Tina Behnke on Aug 13, 2010

We work hard to keep you cool.  Most of what we blog about concerns your server room air conditioningcommercial air conditioning, industrial spot cooling and special event air condtioning jobs. 

Thought you might find this article about the Cash for Caulkers program interesting.  Houston Neal from Construction Software Advice did an admirable job serving up digestible info nuggets in his review of the bill.  That's hard to do with the legal mumbo jumbo spoken on Capitol Hill!

Cash for Caulkers is nearly here. Earlier this summer the House of Representatives passed the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010. The bill still needs to be approved by the Senate, but supporters predict it will be approved before the end of the summer. 

In the meantime, homeowners need to "do their homework." The bill offers two rebate programs and each one has unique requirements:

  • describe the imageThe Silver Star program provides a $1,000 rebate for each retrofit described in the bill. The maximum amount paid out will be $3,000 or 50% of the total cost, whichever is lower. For example, if a homeowner spends a total of $4,000 on eligible retrofits, they will get $2,000 or 50% back as a rebate. If they spend $8,000 on eligible retrofits, they would only receive $3,000 in rebates instead of $4,000 (which would be 50% of the cost).
  • To qualify for the Gold Star program, homeowners must reduce their total home energy consumption by 20%. A $3,000 rebate will be rewarded for this reduction. Homeowners can receive an additional $1,000 for each additional 5% reduction, up to a total rebate of $8,000 or 50% of the total retrofit cost. Rebates may be provided for any of the retrofits listed under the Silver Star program, or for any other energy-saving measure, including: home energy management systems, high-efficiency appliances, highly reflective roofing, awnings, canopies, and similar external fenestration (window) attachments, automatic boiler water temperature controllers, energy-efficient wood products, insulated vinyl siding, and mechanical air circulation and heat exchangers in a passive-solar home.

The Home Star bill also outlines 13 different types of retrofits eligible for funding. Again, each one has unique requirements and rebate amounts. Fortunately there are many online resources that provide details. For example, Construction Software Advice has created an easy-to-read table that lists the 13 retrofits, along with their requirements and rebate amounts. To view their post, visit:http://www.softwareadvice.com/articles/construction/cash-for-caulkers-the-definitive-guide-to-the-home-star-bill-1061110/

Although we probably won't be able to get a Savings for Spot Coolers bill before the house, your business will save money and minimize downtime by using portable air conditioners and spot coolers to maximize productivity and....the bottom line! 

Tags: Portable air conditioner, Portable Spot Cooler