Efficiency First Blog » Blog Archive » Upcoming Webinar Series.

A new application for iPad and iPhone helps architects, builders, and homeowners evaluate home efficiency and energy ratings.

Home Energy Performance Audits and Advice at Your Fingertips – Software, Energy Efficiency – EcoHome Magazine.

Members of Home Performance Washington can now purchase FLIR and Fluke IR cameras at substantial discounts (20%+ off list) via a distributor-negotiated pricing program arranged with Platt Electric right here in Washington State. Individual and/or company members of Home Performance Washington may select their specifically preferred camera model(s) # from the FLIR & Fluke product lines and purchase directly from Platt via their designated Tools Specialist: Platt Electric Supply

Members can make their purchases from existing inventory on hand in most cases or to order & receive within 3-4 days on almost all other models that our group has been considering. Any special manufacturer promotions should be identified and tracked by the individual buyer without notification by HPW or Platt. If anyone is interested in financing and/or would like to open an account with Platt, they are prepared to assist you. Go to their website and download an account application. Alternatively, any HPW member may arrange their own financing and/or direct payments; orders will be taken but not processed or product delivered until paid in full. Members will not be afforded any further pricing negotiations or special payment plans by Platt, FLIR or Fluke.

Please contact HPW for more information…

Wednesday, June 30 – Financing Resources for Home Performance Contractors: Getting Ready for the HOME STAR Gold Rush

When: Wednesday, June 30, 2010, 2 pm Eastern time / 11 am Pacific time

Description:
HOME STAR and other proposed government and utility sponsored rebates and tax credits can offer the potential to reimburse homeowners for substantial portions of the cost of renewable energy and efficiency improvements … sometimes paid well after improvements are installed or when homeowners file their income tax return. In addition, PACE and other innovative financing programs have the potential for homeowners to finance up to 100% of home energy efficiency improvements for up to 20 years. But the financing sometimes comes with constraints that won’t allow contractors to get customer commitment to proceed “at the kitchen table” as is standard industry practice. Hear from industry experts on how these new incentives will create a surge in homeowner interest…. And what options to look into to overcome cash flow and operating capital challenges for contractors looking to grow their business.

Topics and Presenters Include:
Training Grants — Avi Yashchin, Clean Edison;
PACE Funding Opportunities — Cliff Staton and Adam Byrnes, Renewable Funding;
Rebate Optimization with Bridge and Expansion Financing, Bruce Matulich, EGIA

REGISTER: This webinar is free to all current Efficiency First members. Visit www.efficiencyfirst.org/financingwebinar to log into your Efficiency First account and register for the webinar.

Home Performance Washington is affiliated nationally with Efficiency First, and encourages our members to also join Efficiency First. A $100 joint discount is available; simply click here:

And, for Medium and Large Service Providers and Affiliates HPW is proud to offer a FREE membership in Efficiency First – $200 savings – once your registration in HPW is complete. Please email us for more information or click here to choose you membership type and pay with a credit card.

Via: Financing Resources for Home Performance Contractors: Getting Ready for the HOME STAR Gold Rush.

You’re cordially invited to Clover Park Technical College’s Sustainable Careers conference, to be held June 30, 2010.  The conference will be an opportunity for Pierce County businesses and organizations with an interest in green jobs and sustainability to connect with the public, particularly those interested in green jobs and weatherization careers. The Clover Park Foundation is generously funding this event, so there is no fee for booths.

Booths will be manned between 10:00am-5:00pm at Clover Park’s McGavick Center, and will provide an opportunity for you to connect with Clover Park weatherization program participants and the general public about your sustainable efforts, products, or services.  Booths that provide information to attendees on green or sustainable jobs, services, or products are all welcome.

Please note that approximately 30 Pierce County weatherization workers will be special invitees of Clover Park, so organizations that can relate information pertaining to the weatherization field would be particularly appropriate.

For more information or to register for a (FREE) booth, please contact info@fullworldconsulting.com

Regards,
Arabie

Email: arabie.jaloway-hill@fullworldconsulting.com
Web: www.fullworldconsulting.com
USA Direct: +1 360.350.7545

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Program (BTP) is coordinating a volume purchase of R-5 windows, and low-e storm windows, to expand the market of these high efficiency products.

Price is the principal barrier to more widespread market commercialization. The aim of this volume purchase initiative is to work with industry and potential buyers to make highly insulated windows more affordable.

via Building Technologies Program: Windows Volume Purchase.

Dear Efficiency First Members,

HOME STAR bills have been introduced in the House and the Senate, and the bill has passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee. It’s up to all of us to bring the bill HOME.

This May 19 and 20, Efficiency First members and others will gather in Washington, DC to push HOME STAR through Congress– and we need you with us.

Will you be there?

Click here to sign up for Efficiency First’s DC advocacy days (May 19-20).

We’ll be set up in teams, meeting with members of Congress and their staffs, talking about the huge potential for job creation under HOME STAR legislation.

In the past, we’ve had 40 or more Efficiency First members come to DC. This time, we need to double that number — or more. It’s an opportunity to meet Efficiency First leaders and help make history.

We can pass HOME STAR, but we need you there, in person.

Register today for the May 19 and 20 DC advocacy days by clicking here.

We’ll see you in DC!

Jared Asch
National Director
Efficiency First

With momentum growing behind HOME STAR legislation in the House and Senate, Efficiency First is organizing a visit to Washington, D.C., next month that will give members an opportunity to speak directly with Senators, Congressional Representatives and legislative staff about the future of the Home Performance industry. Meetings will be scheduled from noon on Wednesday, May 19, through 5 p.m. Thursday, May 20. Please join us on Capitol Hill to build support for this important legislation and help us bring it HOME! Click here to register today.

via Efficiency First Blog » Blog Archive » Efficiency First Members Invited to Legislative Meetings on Capitol Hill.

Check out Puget Sound Energy’s Re-Energize Your Tool Belt – a collection of energy-saving tips and advice for you and your customers.

Reducing energy demand through efficiency is much less expensive than increasing supply through new power plants. There are also environmental qualities, with huge potential to reduce carbon emissions. And, energy efficiency is a significant part of our “green economy.” Our customers benefit from efficiency as well. They'll have greater comfort in their homes, lower utility costs and the satisfaction of knowing they're making good choices for our environment.

We appreciate your interest and support of PSE’s energy-efficiency services. You are a direct conduit to our customer and together, we can increase awareness and, ultimately, change consumer behavior to embrace energy efficiency.

via Re-Energize Your Tool Belt: Energy-saving solutions for contractors and their customers.

By now you’ve hear the announcement of the upcoming Home Star Program. Home Star will provide terrific rebates to homeowners that make their homes more energy efficient.

Home Star is broken into two programs, Home Star Gold and Home Star Silver. While it’s not official yet, and may change before passing, here’s roughly how it works.

Home Star Gold

Home Star Gold is all about making your home more energy efficient on a measurable basis. The idea is simple. Make your home 20% more energy efficient and you get $3,000 bucks. For each additional 5% of energy efficiency you reach, you get another $1,000. The limit is up to $8,000 total or 50% of the cost of the retrofit – whichever is lower.

Home Star Silver

Home Star Silver is more a la carte. Based on the energy retrofit measures you choose, you get various rebates. The rough breakdown is:

* $1,500 for whole house air sealing

* $1,500 for attic insulation

* $1,500 for wall insulation

* $1,000 for duct sealing or replacement

* $1,000 for crawlspace of basement insulation

* $1,000 for window replacement

* $1,000 for heating system replacement

* $1,000 for air conditioning system replacement

* $1,000 for water heater replacement ($250 for tankless gas)

* $125 for replacing doors with Energy Star doors

via Home Star Retrofits » Blog Archive » Home Star is Coming!.