‘Cash for Caulking’ – Are You Serious?
December 14, 2009 by Craig Baranowski
Filed under From My Blog
Yes you read that right…”Cash For Caulking”. I do my best to comment on the news without a political bias. But seriously…”Cash for Caulking?” What’s next “Cash for Tires” or “Cash for Shoes”. I always thought that if you built a great product for a competitive price it will sell and the market will force innovation and change. Why do we need to throw $12,000 more dollars towards something that will save only a few hundred dollars a year in energy savings?
President Obama proposed a program last Tuesday that would reimburse homeowners for installing energy-efficient appliances, windows and insulation.
Under what has been dubbed “Cash for Caulking,” homeowners would get a 50 percent rebate on items like energy-efficient air conditioners, heating systems, washing machines and dryers, refrigerators, replacement windows, and insulation up to $12,000, meaning a household could spend $24,000 and get $12,000 back. There will likely be no income restrictions.
Steve Nadel, director at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, who is helping to craft the legislation, says they are contemplating having contractors or retailers pay part of the cost upfront to ease the need for homeowners to come up with lots of cash.
I would like to be a vendor for this program. Can you please assist mein finding the criteria to participate. Thank You
It makes sense to me–what's the issue really? Since when will someone upgrade or change out to "green" voluntarily on a massive enough scale to matter unless there is a good enough reason…pain or pleasure. Pain motivates more, but in this case it is the pain similar to smoking—it is too far down the road when it is too late.