Cash for Caulkers Qualifications

Wondering what the cash for caulkers qualifications will be? Because this program is still under consideration and hasn't been enacted as of November 2009, you will have to speculate in regards to what the actual qualification requirements will be. As of now, the current proposal does not place limits on who can and cannot apply for the incentive money. It appears that all homeowners who are willing to take on approved projects that will create energy savings will qualify for stimulus money of varying amounts.

Current Proposals
For now, the proposed details look like this:

The cash for caulkers program, officially titled Homestar, would be funded by about $23 billion derived from the stimulus package passed in 2009. This money would be part of a jobs program enacted in 2010.

A list of approved Homestar projects will be made available to the public. Whenever a homeowner completes a specific number of projects on the list, he will become eligible for a certain amount of money. Here's an example of how it will work:

• Completion of two approved weatherization projects would make a homeowner eligible for up to $2,000.
• If you completed four approved weatherization projects, you would be eligible for up to $3,500.
• If you completed a major weatherization project or combination of projects that resulted in at least a 20% energy savings, you would be eligible for up to $4,000.

You, the homeowner, would always have to pay for at least 50% of the project cost.

For an idea of what the cash for caulkers program will probably resemble, you can take a look at two existing programs that both have a similar purpose. This first plan, REEP, Residential Energy Efficiency Program, is a program in Texas that is being looked at as an example. You can read up on this program by following this link: http://www.houstontx.gov/reep/index.html

You can also learn about a plan that was recently passed in New York with a similar goal: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-york-state-passes-pace-finance-enabling-legislation-70276767.html

As you can see, this will be a difficult program to explain and enforce, since there are so many variables at stake. However, the benefits to the economy, job market and environment could be significant. Keep your eyes peeled for the enactment of the Homestar program, and for details about what you'll need to do to take advantage of this opportunity.