Environment

Cash In On Government Incentives With an Austin Energy Audit

by Ethan Luke in 17.03.2010 21:54

For the 10 percent of Americans who are out of a job, there is a golden opportunity that many people are already taking advantage of. The stories are beginning to pour in of individuals who were out of work, enrolled in a training program, and now have jobs making homes more energy efficient. The Home Star program, frequently referred to as ‘Cash For Caulkers’ is a $300 million national home retrofit program that offers government incentives for families who are installing energy efficient upgrades to their homes. According to green-sector business leaders, the program is a “triple win” that creates jobs, makes homes more energy efficient, thus saving money, and lowering carbon emissions.

The program has two tracks to attract homeowners. The first, called “Silver Star,” subsidizes the purchase of services, such as roof installation, or products like efficient windows and furnaces. Some of the short-term upgrades, such as air-sealing, insulation, and furnace and water heater replacement, would give homeowners $250 rebates for each new appliance installed. The second, called “Gold Star,” offers incentives tied to overall reductions in home energy use. A 20 percent reduction in energy output would be eligible for $3,500 in rebates, with each additional 5 percent of energy output reduction adding $1,500 in incentives, though there is a limit of government spending at 50 percent of the project cost.

The key to the success of the project is training the workforce to carry out these upgrades and renovations. The Building Performance Institute (BPI) is a nationally recognized certification program which covers curriculum and testing that can fully equip individuals for a career in energy auditing and efficiency upgrades. The BPI program was recognized by the President’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board as a key contributor to the Home Star program and is widely respected because of the quality of their graduates, who experience fewer customer call-backs and higher customer satisfaction than those outside the program. Certification tells the world that you are knowledgeable and competent in your field because you have gone through the testing.

A BPI course from Green Energy Audits Certification covers energy efficiency through hands-on training, using field equipment to help teach how the equipment works and the process and procedure for field work. Additionally, courses cover indoor air quality and safety, including how to conduct tests and to measure metrics according to BPI standards – everything you need to conduct an Austin energy audit.

Green Energy Audit Certification provides the latest in green education, training, and testing to qualified individuals who want to obtain the Building Performance Institute Certification and become Building Analyst Professionals. These professionals will be at the forefront of the coming energy efficiency wave. Join a class today, and get your Energy Auditing Certification. If you’re looking to join the growing green market, call Green Energy Audit Certification at (512)452-4461 or go to http://www.txgreenenergyaudits.com/ and start your future in a growing field today.

Brian Reed. http://www.txgreenenergyaudits.com/ - Looking to earn your certification in Austin energy audits? Contact TXGreenEnergyAudits.com for more information!

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