JM Throws Weight Behind Proposed Homestar Program

Johns Manville joined President Obama earlier this month in Savannah, Ga., to support a proposed energy-efficiency program that will create jobs and help families save money on energy costs.

The President was in Savannah to outline the proposed Homestar program, new legislation designed to help create jobs by offering rebates that encourage homeowners to make energy efficiency improvements to their homes. Under the planned program, popularly known as “Cash for Caulkers,” consumers can be eligible for rebates between $1,000 and $1,500 for a variety of home upgrades, including adding insulation and sealing leaky ducts. Consumers getting home energy audits and then making changes to reduce energy costs by at least 20 percent will be eligible for up to $3,000 in rebates. Additional rebates will be available for savings achieved above 20 percent.

“Increasing home energy efficiency impacts our country positively in multiple ways,” said Mike Lawrence, Johns Manville vice president and general manager for the Insulation Systems business. “A national focus on home energy efficiency will create good-paying jobs in manufacturing, distribution, retail and in the installation and service industries. What’s more, energy efficiency also increases the health and comfort of homeowners and makes home ownership more affordable.”

Lawrence also noted that energy efficiency is the fastest and cheapest way to achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in the short term, another benefit of the proposed program. “Energy efficiency truly is a ‘no downside’ action that will save homeowners money immediately,” Lawrence said.

In addition to the proposed Homestar program, Johns Manville publishes information on other federal, state and local rebates, as well as home energy audit tools, on its Web site

www.jmhomeowner.com. The company’s building insulation meets both the Tier 2 insulation standards under the 2010 California Green Building Code as well as the updated 2010 ES-1350 standard for the residential environment.