We spotted this highly informative & well-organized article on the web and wanted to share it with our customers as well as contractors interested in taking advantage of the Cash for Caulkers (the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010) program. 

Here's an excerpt:

"...in order to cash in on upcoming rebates, homeowners and contractors will need to do their homework. There are 13 types of retrofits eligible for funding. Each retrofit has unique eligibility requirements and set rebate amounts."

To read the rest of the article and check out the helpful tables and illustrations, click here: http://www.softwareadvice.com/articles/construction/cash-for-caulkers-the-definitive-guide-to-the-home-star-bill-1061110/#ixzz0svRAdTLY

The full text of the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010 (Cash for Caulkers) is available in PDF format here: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h5019eh.txt.pdf

It’s unpleasant to think about: could your home be making you or your family sick? The frightening reality is that, for many families, debris and mold in their homes are contributing to chronic problems like respiratory infections, asthma, and worse. These microscopic allergens can be hard to spot, but they’re dangerous and you need to be aware of the warning signs.

Mold and Condensation

While you can’t always see mold spores, there are other things you might notice: musty odors, water leaks, dampness, and condensation are all signs that there may be an undetected problem. Mold reproduces in moist places, so if your windows are collecting condensation on a regular basis, it may be time to consider your options to avoid future issues.

Attics in particular can be prone to condensation, as heat and humidity build up in the tight space. Properly insulating your entire home is vital when it comes to controlling indoor air quality. Once your house is fully insulated, you control the circulation of air by opening windows or using your indoor air system.

Mold doesn’t just make you sick – it can cause irreversible structural damage that could wind up costing you thousands in repairs. The moisture created by leaks and condensation can cause structural features like drywall and wood to rot, while mold spreads throughout older insulation like fiberglass. Homeowners who discover mold in their walls and flooring usually find they have a big problem on their hands. Don’t wait until you’re ready to move or someone in your family gets sick if you suspect a mold or moisture problem – call a licensed contractor immediately for an inspection.

Insulation in spring and summer? Absolutely – radiant foil insulation works by reflecting the sun’s heat before it gets into your home, reducing your cooling bills by up to 40%. Best of all, the insulation keeps heat from escaping from your home in the winter for year-round savings and comfort.

How does radiant barrier foil insulation work?

Radiant foil reduces the transfer of radiant heat (heat that radiates from objects, such as structural features of a house). The insulation is particularly effective in attic and ceiling installations, because it keeps hot air out in the summertime, reducing the burden on window unit and central air conditioning and making for a much more comfortable living space.

Attics get hot in part because of the sun’s rays heating shingles and roofing materials that then radiate heat into the attic space. Installing radiant foil insulation keeps your attic cool and also reduces heat throughout the home during hot and sticky summer months. You should see a drop utility costs like electricity, because your air conditioning units will not have to work as hard to cool the home (the difference you see depends, of course, on how energy efficient your home is to begin with). 

The government’s new Home Star program (known colloquially as “Cash for Caulkers”) is drawing lots of attention to a cause that Doctor Energy Smart has always championed: investing in improving the energy efficiency of our homes to add long-term value and save money.

The new federal program is still in its infant proposal stages, but is already garnering lots of attention. Home Star provides homeowners with incentives to weatherize and insulate their homes in order to save energy. Formally speaking, the plan would reimburse for upgrades that include air sealing and insulation, new light bulbs, and energy efficient appliances.

Saving Money

Aside from making our homes more comfortable, weatherization and insulation (like spray injection foam) help us lessen the burden we put on the earth when we burn fossil fuels for heat and use high amounts of electricity for cooling and appliances. We use less, and, in turn, spend less each month on utility bills. Efficiency First reports that the improvements covered by Home Star can account for a 20-40 percent reduction in home energy waste. That’s huge!

Making Jobs

Other benefits of the Cash for Caulkers program include the creation of some solid jobs in the construction sector that could put hundreds of capable hands back into the workforce, from installation to the manufacturing of weatherization products.

President Obama spoke in Savannah, Georgia today, March 2^nd, about Cash for Caulkers and energy in general. During his speech, he discussed retrofitting homes with weatherization products and techniques, saying “It will have some costs on the front end. You buy a new boiler, or you get some insulation, or you get some new windows, that’s going to have an initial cost…but it’s what’s right to plan for our future.”

Learn more about Cash for Caulkers from the Home Star Coalition.

It’s almost tax time and we all have money on our minds, specifically: how can we save more? If you’re thinking of doing some work on your home, now is a great time to go green and save some green.

In this entry, we’ve outlined some of the most important tax incentives for homeowners who want to conserve energy and make improvements to their homes that will reap real benefits, both by saving on utility bills and by making a more comfortable living space to enjoy.

The Homeowner Tax Credit for Insulation Improvements

If you own a home and are planning to add energy efficient insulation, replace windows and doors, or install a new energy efficient HVAC system, you may be eligible for a tax credit. If you opt for spray foam insulation, for example, the IRS has indicated that foam and polyurethane insulation products qualify for tax credits as “eligible building envelope components”. The general dollar amount attributed to these credits is 30% of the cost of the material, up to $1,500.

Visit the Department of Energy’s guide to energy tax breaks by clicking here. There are plenty more incentives to be had depending on your level of dedication to “greenifying” your home – if you install a geothermal heat pump or solar panels, for example, you can save another 30%.

These tax credits were recently extended for 2010, so don’t worry if you missed out in 2009. Just don’t put it off another year!

Even the best heating and cooling systems can fail at keeping your home at a steady, comfortable temperature if drafts are present. It can seem like there’s nothing worse than having to bundle up in blankets to avoid the chill when you want to relax in your living room after a long day. If you notice your heat system kicking on more frequently than you’d like, or your energy bills seem unusually high, it may be time to inspect your home for air leaks and drafts.

The Old Fashioned Candle Method

This is a very basic technique anyone can utilize. Simply wait for a cool, windy day. Inspect your doors and windows and any other suspicious areas, and slowly move a lit candle or burning incense stick around the perimeter. When the flame or smoke moves, you’ll know you have a draft problem.

High Tech Solutions

There are some high tech imaging options available that will show you not only the typical, visible draft areas of your home, but can also uncover some frequently overlooked problem areas where insulation is either insufficient or non-existent. Thermal imaging equipment is used to show where heat is being lost in the home. It’s common knowledge that the majority of heat loss occurs through windows and doors, but many homeowners are surprised to find other cold spots in walls, floors, and other structural features that most likely would have not been discovered were it not for thermal imaging.

Fixing Drafts and Air Leaks

A great way to fill in drafty areas and under-insulated sections of walls and floors is to install insulation, and you can also invest in new energy efficient windows and doors. There are many types of insulation on the market, but we recommend spray foam for its versatility and high R value. There simply is no better alternative when it comes to tightly sealing these problem areas with accuracy and quality, and spray foam is budget-friendly.

As most of America already knows, this past year has been quite a roller coaster in terms of the economy. Many families are cutting back on their spending habits to reduce the costs of the home. Not many people realize that some of the best tools and tricks to save energy and reduce utility bills are lying around your house. Allow us at DoctorEnergySmart.com to share with you a few tips we found are most helpful in reducing pesky high-cost home energy bills.

1.) When leaving a room, make certain all lights are turned off. This can be a simple and effective approach to save energy in the household. Saving energy isnt a "all-in-one" solution, it is the cumulative result of many efficient home improvements and techniques. 

2.) Replace any incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. CFL bulbs use seventy-five per cent less energy that ordinary incandescent bulbs.

Additionally, the average Energy Star qualified CFL bulb is meant to last 8,000 hours, or 7 years at 4 hours per day. The CFL bulbs pay for themselves well before the end of your first year.

3.) Avoid any "standby" power usage. Many devices and electronics use a small amount of voltage even when they aren't on. To avoid this, simply *unplug any appliances or electronics taht arent being used.

4.) Save water by installing low flow aerators and shower heads. Repair any leaky faucets or toilets that "run-on". Running water is a large factor in your energy costs, and regulating it is a great way to cut costs even more.

5.) Regulate your thermostat and be more conservative. Reduce your thermostat by 5 degress (of your "usual" tempurature) in the winter and lift 5 degrees in the summertime. You’ll be amazed at how comfortably and easily your body will adapt. Make certain all heat sources are not being blocked by anything (such as furniture) and be sure to change your heating systems air filters regularly.

6.) Cut your home heating loss from inefficient windows. Install indoor storm window kits, which can be found at most construction/material retailers. Make certain that the plastic is thoroughly  fastened around the edges of the window. Additionally,  close your curtains and shades at night to reduce radiant heat loss.

7.) Reduce your costs for your water-heater. The water-heater thermostat should be no higher than 120 degress. Insulate your water heater if it is located in a non-insulated basement or other cold area. The savings from your first year alone will pay for this improvement.

By implementing these easy "do it yourself" tips you can drastically reduce you home utility bills and energy costs.

- Doctor Energy Smart