The Home Owner Managing Energy Savings (HOMES) Act will provide rebates to homeowners who invest in energy efficiency improvements. Homeowners who demonstrate a 20 percent energy savings will receive a $2,000 rebate. For every 5 percent in additional energy savings, they can receive another $1,000 — up to a total of $8,000 or 50 percent of the project’s cost.

“Vermont has led the nation in energy efficiency. This legislation will bring the Vermont model to the rest of the country to save homeowners money, put contractors back to work, and improve the environment,” Welch said. “And, in an era of partisan gridlock, energy efficiency is a practical, common sense idea where lawmakers can find common ground.”

The HOMES Act is modeled after the Welch-authored Home Star Energy Retrofit Act (H.R. 5019), which passed the House with bipartisan support in the 111th Congress but did not gain approval in the Senate.

Publication date: 02/20/2012