Following the successful (at least in Washington and most automakers' eyes) "Cash for Clunkers" rebate program conducted last year, President Obama and others in Washington are eyeing a new market in 2010 - your home. The President has repeatedly noted a proposal that would allow tax credits and other incentives for homeowners who make their homes more energy-efficient. Proponents of this proposed program - which would be known as Homestar but has taken on the "Cash for Caulkers" moniker as well - note that it will help to generate new jobs in the hard-hit construction sector, and also serve as an incentive for those firms to become more familiar with green jobs.
Obama was recently at a Home Depot to promote the program, which would provide up to $23 billion to incent homeowners to reduce energy waste through things such as replacing leaky windows and doors, adding more-efficient furnaces and fuel-pumps, using solar, geothermal and wind energy as fuel sources, etc. The challenge, however, will be getting BOTH contractors/service techs and homeowners on the same page. A concern that some are already raising is how the incentives will be paid out, if contractors will have to eat up-front costs and then receive funds after the upgrades have been made, and just how the effectiveness of the program will be judged. Many HVACR and plumbing/mechanical firms have been hard hit by the economic downturn, so suggesting that they may have to put even more investment up front in terms of products to offer customers in order to reap the rewards long-term may be a tough pill for some to swallow.
It's anyone's guess what will happen, but it certainly is a program that the HVACR industry, as well as the construction, plumbing and mechanical trades, need to keep an eye on. Especially since those in the Administration continue to face criticism about the slow flow of stimulus money down to everyday business owners and others.
No comments:
Post a Comment