Preparing for the Home Star program with BPI certification

HOMESTAR coming to Missoula, Montana.

The HOME STAR program has passed the house of representatives and has strong support in the senate. This $6 billion incentive program is designed to create jobs in the construction and home energy retrofit industries as well as improving the energy efficiency of the existing housing stock in the US.

Silver Star and Gold Star.

The HOME STAR program offers two paths to getting rebate money.

The SILVER STAR program is a prescriptive approach whereby the homeowner will get rebates of up to $3,000 for specific energy improvement upgrades including: air sealing; attic, wall, and crawl space insulation; duct sealing or replacement; and replacement of existing windows and doors, furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, water heaters and appliances with high-efficiency models.

The GOLD STAR program is a performance based approach which will provide rebates of up to $8000 for verified home energy performance improvements (up to 50% over current energy usage). This will require having a comprehensive energy audit performed as a first step. The audit must be done by a Building Performance Institute (BPI) Certified Professional (or other approved accreditation) and the predicted improvements in energy performance must be verified by computer energy modeling using an approved software program. The actual improvements to the home must also be performed by a BPI Accredited Contractor.

Energetechs staff preparing for BPI certification.

For this reason Energetechs is sending two of our staff, Russ Hellem and Andy Lemann, to Helena to complete the necessary requirements to become BPI Certified Professionals. This will ensure that both Energetechs and our sister company, Montana Energy Services, will have the qualifications to perform any type of work under the HOME STAR program. We will be one of only a few performance testing companies in Missoula and Montana to carry these highly regarded qualifications. In conjunction with our combined total of well over 100 years of experience in the green and energy efficient design and construction fields this will help to keep Energetechs at the very forefront of the  Home Energy Retrofit industry in Missoula, Montana.

Home Energy Retrofit Improvements under the HOME STAR program.

HOME STAR is just one of many federal, state, and utility company incentives for Missoula’s homeowners to improve the energy performance of their homes. Contact Energetechs today for more information about these as well as the many other benefits of improving your home’s performance including reduced utility bills; improved comfort, health, safety, and indoor air quality; and improved building durability.

CONTACT US – Energetechs, Inc., – ph.

MONTANA ENERGY SERVICES

Or visit our sister company MONTANA ENERGY SERVICES at saveheatnow.com for information on energy improvement installations including heating, cooling,ventilation, insulation, crawl space and attic upgrades. We are Missoula’s highest quality, full-service, energy efficiency contractors.