Minnesota’s Stimulus Money: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

[Eieio]

* From: Remodeling magazine 2009* Posted on: November 23, 2009


Minnesota’s Stimulus Money: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
Within one month, homeowners claim the state’s $2.5 million in Recovery Act money for weatherization rebates.

By:Nina Patel



In June, Minnesota's Department of Commerce directed the Builder’s Association of Minnesota (BAM) to use stimulus money from the Department of Energy to help weatherize houses and create jobs. BAM created Project ReEnergize and by Sept. 15, had registered and trained 855 contractors who would help homeowners claim the money for their energy-efficient projects. By the end of October, the program had applied its entire budget of $2.9 million.

The program is administered by BAM on behalf of the state Department of Commerce. It offers rebates to homeowners of pre-2000 homes to replace windows and upgrade insulation. Homeowners receive $250 per opening, $300 per opening with attic air sealing, $800 for advanced air sealing, $800 for attic insulation, and $800 for exterior-wall insulation. Program requirements include:


*The house must be owner-occupied;

*Constructed prior to year 2000;

*3,000 square feet or less.

*The homeowner must work with a qualified contractor.

*Projects must be completed before the rebate application is submitted.

“We wanted to get real consumers considering real remodeling projects in this economy. Who are they right now? The only people who know them are remodelers," says Pam Perri Weaver, BAM’s executive vice president. "We wanted to reach the consumer on the fence now to do that bath or kitchen remodel. It is about jobs as much as it is about energy.”

She says that BAM reached out to the state’s 13,000 licensed contractors with information about the training for the program. “But we only had enough to train 850,” she says. The 855 contractors who completed the training are listed on the Project ReEnergize website. To receive a rebate, homeowners choose a general contractor, who will then work with a trained sealer/insulator. The group teamed up with Minnesota’s Center for Energy and Environment to develop a six-hour class for air sealers/insulators.


Link to full article: http://www.remodeling.hw.net/green-policy/minnesotas-stimulus-money-here-today-gone-tomorrow.aspx

[Allrounder]

I have a friend who is one of the 825 designated contractors, he installs windows, he was only able to help 2 families before the money ran out. A lot of screwing around and a lot of paperwork for very little benefit.

[naptownCr]

Virginia got 15 million for solar rebates from ARRA
the program opened on Nov 4
They were out of money on Nov 18

[Dusty]

Seems like all of these federal programs turn out to be a joke.

In my opinion you contractors are better off putting your energy into advertising and attracting new customers. Getting qualified to participate in these fly-by-night gov't programs is a waste of time.

Am I wrong?

[naptownCr]

Qualifying isn't the problem
getting there in time is the problem.
The main problem with the govt. programs is if they are using ARRA money the grants/ rebates are subject to Davis Bacon.
the prevailing wage for the solar industry which has yet to be determned by the DOL is well below what we pay our guys. This isn't the issue. The reporting requirements are somewhat onerous and a PITA. This drives the costs up and the money doesn't go as far. In the instance of Virginia and the solar rebates they made the rebates waaaay too generous.
Therefore there were a few people(Mostly the very wealthy) Who took advantage of the program to the exclusion of everyone else. I would have liked to see much smaller rebates but more of them.

[Dusty]

So the Government's involment is pushing cost up. They are dictating what the contractor and his/her employees should be paid (vs. their worth). All at the expense of the American tax payer.

This money is being burned so fast that it will ultimataly have a negative effect on our economy.

Quote Naptown:In the instance of Virginia and the solar rebates they made the rebates waaaay too generous.
Therefore there were a few people(Mostly the very wealthy) Who took advantage of the program to the exclusion of everyone else. I would have liked to see much smaller rebates but more of them.
Could this be because the wealthy were the ones who could afford the new installation of solar panels? Honestly. How long does it take to recoup the cost of investment on solar energy for ones home? I don't know.
Could it be that that specific rebate made more financial sense to the weathly then it would to middle class family?
And the wealthy should be as welcome as anyone else when taking advantage of these programs. Fair is fair.

[naptownCr]

So the Government's involment is pushing cost up. They are dictating what the contractor and his/her employees should be paid (vs. their worth). All at the expense of the American tax payer.

This money is being burned so fast that it will ultimataly have a negative effect on our economy.

Quote Naptown:In the instance of Virginia and the solar rebates they made the rebates waaaay too generous.
Therefore there were a few people(Mostly the very wealthy) Who took advantage of the program to the exclusion of everyone else. I would have liked to see much smaller rebates but more of them.
Could this be because the wealthy were the ones who could afford the new installation of solar panels? Honestly. How long does it take to recoup the cost of investment on solar energy for ones home? I don't know.
Could it be that that specific rebate made more financial sense to the weathly then it would to middle class family?
And the wealthy should be as welcome as anyone else when taking advantage of these programs. Fair is fair.

I will give you an example based on your house for solar hot water
I will make some assumptions
you have a south facing roof
your roof pitch is 6/12
There is no shading on the roof
I need some info from you
How many people live in the house
do they bathe regularly? (just kidding)
What is your zip code
what fuel do you use to heat hot water and how much do you pay for it

[Dusty]

6.5 people
yes we all bathe regularly. Sometimes twice.
43612
Gas bill avg. $180 mo.

[naptownCr]

6.5 people
yes we all bathe regularly. Sometimes twice.
43612
Gas bill avg. $180 mo.

good start but I need cost per cubic foot or therm including all delivery charges etc

Explain the 1/2 person
Sounds like something Modern would have around

[Dusty]

Boy is only here part time.

CCF=.899
Delivery=27.87

Is this what you are looking for?
This is from my sept bill and it says avg. month usage is 129ccf

[WarnerConstInc.]

That is an expensive gas bill each month.

[Dusty]

That is an expensive gas bill each month.

It is a monthly budgeting average. But it is an old house with old windows. We need some updates.

[naptownCr]

here is a Return on investment worksheet for you
You heat your water with Gas which is artificially low in cost right now
I will do another one for the same family heating water with electricity at 17 cents a kilowatt hour and you will see how much sense it makes

[WarnerConstInc.]

It is a monthly budgeting average. But it is an old house with old windows. We need some updates.

Mine is too but, I refuse to pay the budget plan.

I only spend 30 bucks a month to run my water heater.

Jan-Feb usually hits me for a 200 gas bill to heat the place.

[naptownCr]

Here are the aame loads but heating with electric at .17 per kilowatt hour

[naptownCr]

bump:idea:

[Dusty]

Please explain the 2 collums on the right. and do the figures include the gov't incentives?

[naptownCr]

The two columns on the right show cumulative savings over 25 years. the far right column is to show what the savings equals in earnings before taxes. The column second from the right is just a running total of what it has saved.
Both are calculated based on the net cost after tax credits and incentives

[Silvertree]

I average about $300 a month Natural Gas.

80% EFU furnace heating 3400SF

I am thinking of installing my own furnace. Too far North for a heat pump so I'm looking at a 90 to 94 rating.

[naptownCr]

I average about $300 a month Natural Gas.

80% EFU furnace heating 3400SF

I am thinking of installing my own furnace. Too far North for a heat pump so I'm looking at a 90 to 94 rating.

Just make sure whatever unit you choose comes with a long warranty on the heat exchanger.

[Dusty]

The two columns on the right show cumulative savings over 25 years. the far right column is to show what the savings equals in earnings before taxes. The column second from the right is just a running total of what it has saved.
Both are calculated based on the net cost after tax credits and incentives

Thank you.