The HOMES Act of 2012 is a national effort to advance home energy efficiency and promote use of high-efficiency building methods and materials while also boosting local economies with jobs and commerce.
Short for the Home Owner Managing Energy Savings Act, HOMES will incentivize homeowners to make needed upgrades in their homes by offering rebates tied to the expected percentage of energy reduction realized by the project.
From its inception, Sage Builders has stood for energy conservation and performance in a design/build process that takes the homeowner from the planning phase to finished project with seamless oversight and quality control. The HOMES Act is a welcome adjunct to this philosophy because it promotes designs and construction practices that build in energy conservation from the drawing board.
Homeowners planning to upgrade or restore efficiency to existing structures and add-ons can benefit from the terms of this legislation.
What HOMES has to offer
Homeowners are required to demonstrate that energy-efficient improvements have been made by an approved, established contractor. The provider must be locally licensed and insured, as well as accredited by the Building Performance Institute, the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) or another similarly recognized, approved program.
Qualifying retrofit projects include:
- Installation of energy-efficient windows
- Installing new insulation or adding to existing layers
- Upgrading HVAC equipment to higher-efficiency models
- Sealing ductwork and structural air leaks
- Other improvements that enhance energy efficiency
Rebates will be based on expected energy savings as determined by a professional energy audit. The rebates begin at $2,000 for projects that result in 20 percent energy savings and increase in increments of $1,000 for each additional 5 percent savings up to a maximum of $8,000.
Sage Builders specializes in sustainable, efficient design/build solutions for residential renovations and additions. Contact us for more details about applying the benefits of the HOMES Act to your project.