EV News
Energy Vanguard has joined Efficiency First, an organization formed to promote the idea that we need to cut the amount of energy that homes use
before we stick photovoltaic panels on the roof. Their platform, as stated on the Efficiency First website, is:
National Incentives to help all homeowners retrofit their homes.
Significant performance-based incentives for home energy efficiency retrofitting will jump-start the industry and create viable markets nationally. These incentives must emphasize results, not particular products or technologies, and promote efficiency remediation and renewable energy generation on an equal basis. This approach will strike a balance that is economically sustainable on a large scale, and it will extend the impact of public investment by allowing homeowners to choose the most cost-effective measures for their homes.
Provide Financing option that allow homeowners to amortize retrofitting costs over time.
Federal loan guarantees, interest deductions and long-term low-interest unsecured financing options will allow homeowners to invest in improving their home's performance despite the current credit crisis. With proper financing, homeowners can achieve cost-effectiveness immediately by offsetting loan payments with energy savings.
Industry Standards and Certifications to ensure quality and results
Efficiency First advocates using the federal Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program as a standard model for efficiency retrofitting, including third-party verification. National contractor and auditor certification and accreditation should be mandated through RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network), BPI (Building Performance Institute) or other qualified accreditation agencies who conduct independent, third-party quality assurance on the work performed.
