Now that we’ve improved the energy efficiency of our cars through Cash for Clunkers, President Obama has proposed helping us improve our homes through Cash for Caulkers. The proposal would provide a tax credit of up to $12k per home for 50% of the cost of projects that improve the energy efficiency of existing homes. Unfortunately, Congressional funding to enact this legislation seems to have stalled.
Improving the energy efficiency of a home is more complicated than buying a vehicle. Each home is different and requires a thorough energy audit to identify and prioritize problems to deliver the best bang for the buck. The first challenge, of course, is to find a reputable and unbiased company to help you. Ask a guy who specializes in window replacement and just guess what he’s going to recommend.
Speaking of windows, it turns out that it may not pay to replace old single-panes with new double panes. In many cases, heat is lost primarily through lack of insulation around the frame and poor weatherstripping. It may be more cost effective to do a window tune-up rather than a replacement. Read the rest of this entry »
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