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Obama Introduces HOMESTAR's "Cash for Caulking"

Incentive Program

President Obama recently proposed an incentive-based solution sure to create thousands of jobs, save tax-payers millions and reduce the nation's dependency on fossil fuels. The "Cash for Clunkers" reminiscent HOMESTAR program would reimburse homeowners for residential energy upgrades such as air sealing, insulation, new light bulbs and new appliances.  Aiming to increase demand for energy efficient goods and services, HOMESTAR would also generate thousands of desperately needed jobs within the construction and manufacturing industries.

Consumer-rewarding HOMESTAR programs include:

• Silver Star: Rebates between $1,000 and $1,500 for a variety of home upgrades including: adding insulation, sealing leaky ducts & replacing water heaters, HVAC units, windows, roofing & doors. Rebates are capped at $3,000 per home.

• Gold Star: Rebates for home energy audits & design upgrades reducing energy costs by at least 20% would be eligible for a $3,000 rebate, (additional rebates would be available for savings above 20%).

Homeowners may also take advantage of local and state government provided financing options for approved efficiency improving upgrades.

HOMESTAR incentives would be capped at 50% of total project costs and a portion of projects would require contractors to be certified to perform efficiency installations.  Offering homeowners numerous tax-deductable, energy- saving window & door solutions, The Window Factory's certified Master Installation^TM team provides expert installation at factory low prices. Take advantage of these stimulus programs before they run out; click here for a free estimate!

-JJ

Web- heads at Google now offer pollution and emissions tracking for all U.S. counties. The EPA and Google Earth partners have developed a powerful tool for residents to track the exact toxins circulating in their neighborhoods (and by whom). These annual summaries are also holding big businesses accountable for their carbon-emissions as residents begin to call for action against industrial giants responsible polluting their neighborhoods.

A recent study by Forbes magazine sited Los Angeles and Bakersfield as the nation's most polluted cities. Surrounded by steel mills, car exhausts and smokestacks, Southern California is a breeding ground for murderous pollutants like carbon monoxide, lead & nitrogen oxide. These toxins have all been linked to Cancer, anemia, kidney failure, hearing loss and even death.

How safe is your neighborhood? Find out here.

Properly sealed windows and doors reduce the risk of these toxic fumes entering your home. Energy efficient, low-E glass will also reduce the effects of UV radiation on your family and home furnishings.

Protect your family my filtering the air circulating in your home with custom-fit windows and doors today and check out The Window Factory's latest energy-efficient windows!

Reducing utility costs and making your home more energy-efficient can be costly and time consuming. Here are 5 quick-fixes for short-term energy savings!

1.Inspect the indoor / outdoor caulking around the electrical hoses and water pipes entering your home. Fill any holes or gaps with temporary caulking to better insulate your home.

2.  Install cost-effective insulation gaskets and child-proof covers for unused electricity outlets.

3. Repair water heater leaks. A dripping tap will waste over 2,000 liters a month. Install low-flow fixtures for around $10 to reduce water bills by 60%.

4. Turn down your thermostat by 1 degree and reduce your heating bill by 10%. Get chilly? Snuggle up with a blanket or a loved one.

5.Buy a clapper! At $5.99 this cost-effective energy saver will reduce your utility costs by turning off unneeded lighting.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a massive recall of roll-up window blinds and Roman-style shades made by Vertical Land Inc. The faulty "Cellular" series blinds do not feature inner-cord stop devices that prevent potential strangulation opportunities for curious young children.

In 2000, more than 200 infants and children died due to strangulation involving window cords. If you have children and blinds in your home, inspect the window coverings immediately to see if the cords can be separated to form a loop that could present a strangulation hazard.

Vertical Land blinds are sold throughout the U.S. by Target, JC Penny, Ace Hardware, Pottery Barn, IKEA and Wal-Mart. This recall affects more than 50 million blinds and shades that have been sold since 1994.

Consumers can contact the Window Covering Safety Council at www.windowcoverings.org or 800-506-4636 for a free repair kit. For Roman shades, these kits will substitute rings for cords. For roll-up blinds, the kits offer breakaway cords that separate under force.

For UV filtering, family-safe window solutions visit The Window Factory's latest energy efficient windows!

-JJ