Window Film Industry praises house passage of legislation to promote energy retrofit program
Bill Includes Home Star Rebate for Window Film Products
MARTINSVILLE, VA – The International Window Film Association (IWFA) today applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for passage of residential energy efficiency retrofit legislation that provides rebates to consumers who purchase and install specified energy saving measures, including window film products. The House bill (H.R. 5019) creates the Home Star Retrofit Rebate Program which provides two opportunities – the Silver Star path and the Gold Star path – to facilitate energy efficiencies in homes. H.R. 5019 passed the House by a vote of 246-161.
“Congressional passage of Home Star program legislation is a major victory for the window film industry and consumers who wish to lower their home energy bills,” said John Parker, president of IWFA. Darrell Smith, IWFA executive director, added, “This skillfully crafted bill recognizes the importance of highly-efficient window film, while embracing fiscally responsible and environmentally friendly home improvement solutions. I commend Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (CA), Energy and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey (MA), and Representatives Rick Boucher (VA) and Tom Perriello (VA) for their dedication to the window film industry and the Home Star program.”www.iwfa.com.
Under H.R. 5019, homeowners would be eligible to receive a rebate totaling up to 50 percent of an energy efficiency project, not to exceed $3,000 per home (Silver Star). The Gold Star path provides homeowners with rebates of $3,000 who reduce home energy consumption by 20 percent, with additional rewards of $1,000 for each 5 percent improvement up to $8,000 or 50 percent of the total retrofit cost. Certain window film qualifies under the Silver Star and Gold Star paths, with Silver Star rebates totaling $500 for window film installed on at least 8 exterior windows, doors or skylights, or 75 percent of the total exterior square footage of glass in the home.
For more information on the International Window Film Association, visit www.iwfa.com.
