HOME STAR Incentives

The Cash For Caulkers plan provides two types of incentives to homeowners – The SILVER STAR Incentive & GOLD STAR Incentive.

SILVER STAR Incentive Details

The Silver Star program is aimed at homeowners undertaking energy saving projects like replacing existing doors and windows, household appliances, air conditioner, furnace, water heater, duct sealing or replacement, increasing wall and space insulation and air sealing. This near-term incentive is mainly for investments that can be rapidly deployed. Homeowners will receive between $1,000 and $1,500 for every energy saving measure undertaken, or $250 per new energy efficient appliance. The benefit received cannot exceed 50% of total project cost or $3000 (whichever is less).

GOLD STAR Incentive Details

The Gold Star program will offer incentive to homeowners who carry out an energy audit of their house and perform repairs or make changes that will result in energy savings. A certified professional energy auditor will have to first carry out a comprehensive test of the home’s energy performance. The certified professional will have to be accredited with either the BPI (Building Performance Institute), RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network) or another  equivalent and government approved institute. The auditor will carry out the energy audit and come up with a customized plan for the homeowner. This customized plan will provide a list of changes, that will deliver verifiable energy savings for the homeowner, and a calculation of expected energy savings for the home. The energy auditor will have to be back on the scene after the retrofit plan has been implemented to verify that the changes have been properly implemented. Homeowners can receive $3,000 for modeled savings of 20%, plus $1,500 for each additional 5% of modeled energy savings, with incentives not to exceed 50% of total project costs.