HOME STAR is legislation proposed by the Obama Administration and is designed to employ workers in the hard-hit construction industry, offer environmental benefits, and rack up energy savings for US consumers. This proposed initiative would establish a $6 billion rebate program to encourage homeowners to make immediate investment in energy-efficient appliances, building mechanical systems and insulation, and whole-home energy efficiency retrofits.

For a detailed description of the HOME STAR proposed legislation including the two types of consumer incentives, Silver Star and Gold Star, follow the links below:

• HOME STAR Coalition
• Efficiency First
  
  

On May 6, 2010, the House of Representatives passed HR 5019, the much-talked about HOME STAR Energy Retrofit Act of 2010, more commonly known as “Cash for Caulkers” with flying colors (246 to 161). The bill is now in the Senate for consideration. The bill has bi-partisan support and is backed by the HOME STAR Coalition, more than 1,300 supporters from labor unions, the Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, contractors, retailers, utilities and regulators, among many others;

For up to the minute updates on the status of HOME STAR follow the link below:

• HOME STAR Coalition
• Efficiency First
   

Yes. We do support HOME STAR demonstrated by our membership in the HOME STAR Coalition, a coalition of more than 1,300 supporters from a variety of industries that supports the passing of HOME STAR.
 
Although we support the passing of HOME STAR, we believe that to achieve the greatest sustained energy savings and environmental impact, HOME STAR must require homeowners and contractors to use the most energy efficient, longest-lasting materials when weatherizing a home.
 
Yet, in passing the bill through the House, language requiring products to last five years in order to be eligible for tax incentives was recently changed to just one year.
 
One year is simply an inadequate amount of time to realize the long-term economic and environmental benefits intended by the passing of this bill or to produce an adequate return on investment to American taxpayers.
 
Therefore, as the bill goes through the Senate, we are lobbying to include language requiring all products used to retrofit the home to have sustained energy-efficiency. We believe that the previous five-year requirement or, an even more effective 10-year requirement, represents a more sound policy, from both economic and environmental perspectives.
 
To get involved and demonstrate your support for HOME STAR with a minimum of a five-year product life for all tax incentive eligible products, please click here.

Yes. Under the currently proposed standards and the proposal to require products to last five years (or 10 years) in order to be eligible for tax incentives, caulks would be considered eligible for tax rebates under the HOME STAR program, if approved.
 
The proposed HOME STAR program would provide rebates to homeowners who retrofit their homes to increase energy-efficiency. Improved air sealing with caulk, insulation and advanced building materials are just some of the recommended measures that would be eligible for tax rebates.
 
For a detailed description of the HOME STAR proposed legislation including the two types of rebate programs, Silver Star and Gold Star, follow the links below:

• HOME STAR Coalition
• Efficiency First

To learn how to air seal, click here.
 

HOME STAR does not currently call out specific caulks to use for weatherization. But if you want savings that will last, use 100 percent silicone, not acrylic caulk.
 
Unlike acrylic caulk, which is vulnerable to the effects of Mother Nature and can break down over time, silicone remains permanently flexible, shrink-proof, crack-proof, and waterproof. In fact, 100 percent silicone remains unaffected by all weather and temperature conditions, helping prevent energy-wasting gaps and cracks.
 

If the HOME STAR program is approved, the rebate could be credited to consumers at multiple points in the transaction process including point of sale or completion of the job. The administrative process hasn’t been fully fleshed out. To learn more, click here.
 

To demonstrate your support, use the links below to find contact information for Senators from your state. Then call and/or write to their offices urging them to support HOME STAR with the inclusion of a minimum of a five-year product life for all tax incentive eligible products.
 

• To find contact information for your Senators, go to www.senate.gov. Select your state from the “Find Your Senators” drop-down menu on the upper right corner of the page and click “Go.”

Click here to download a sample letter that you can modify and personalize in any way you choose. In addition to sending this letter to your state Senators, please also consider sharing it with your local media, Twitter, and Facebook fans Winning widespread support for the five-year minimum is critical to help ensure HOME STAR delivers sustained savings for America.