Home Performance with ENERGY STAR

For Homeowners For Contractors For Sponsors

HPwES Program Report

Read the HPwES Program Report PDF (1.49MB) which outlines the Department's plans for continued evolution of the HPwES Program.

HPwES Achievements

Check out our new project tracking dashboards, which offer a region-by-region review of where HPwES projects are happening.

HPwES Newsletters

Read our most recent HPwES Stakeholder newsletter and look out for the next edition, to be sent in early March.

Want to stay updated on the Program? Join our mailing list by emailing homeperformance@energystar.gov

View past newsletters

News and Events

Webinar Recording: HPwES Program Report

On Jan. 29, 2013, the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR team hosted a webinar to review the newly released HPwES Program Report PDF (1.5MB). In follow up to last year's efforts to gather and review comments from the HPwES community, the Report presented the action plan for evolving HPwES and is based on over 650 comments received on the proposed changes collectively known as HPwES v2.0.

Interested stakeholders are invited to watch the webinar recording or download a copy of the presentation PDF (3.1MB). Please send comments and questions to homeperformance@energystar.gov.

Stakeholders' comments were based on the proposed changes PDF (4.1MB) that the Department introduced in March 2012. For more information on the proposal, the Department developed a webinar series, FAQs PDF (805KB), and hosted a Q&A session PDF (251KB) for interested industry stakeholders.

Energy Tax Credit for Homeowners extended through 2013 Exit ENERGY STAR

On January 3, 2013, Congress passed the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 Exit ENERGY STAR, which includes an extended tax credit for incremental residential energy efficiency improvements (Title IV- Energy Tax Extenders, Section 25C). As homeowners consider investing in their Home Performance with ENERGY STAR project, remember homeowners can claim credits for energy efficiency measures installed in 2012 and 2013. Homeowners can receive 10% credit for approved measures, not to exceed $500 in total credits including all tax credits received prior to 2013.

Energy efficiency measures eligible for the credit include the following products:

  • Biomass fuel property
  • Central air conditioning unites and air-source Heat Pumps
  • Electric Heat Pump Water Heater
  • Home Sealing
  • Insulation
  • Natural Gas and Propane Furnaces
  • Natural Gas, Propane, Oil Water Heaters
  • Windows
  • Window Film

To receive the tax credit, homeowners need to enter information about the cost of their installation measures in their 2012 or 2013 tax returns. Only costs for materials can be claimed. Labor costs are not eligible for the energy tax credit. Homeowners should keep a copy of the product and manufacturer information on file.

For more information on product eligibility, visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewable and Efficiency Exit ENERGY STAR, or the Tax Incentives Assistance Project Exit ENERGY STAR.

HPwES Achievements

In 2012, the HPwES Program reached two major milestones: the national Program celebrated its 10th anniversary and together, Sponsors and their participating contractors completed over 200,000 energy efficiency projects in homes across the country since the Program's inception.

Join the momentum in your area by contacting a local Sponsor to get started with home assessments or, if you are an interested contractor, to find out how you can offer homeowners solutions for their energy-related problems.

Interested in sponsoring a local program? Email HomePerformance@EnergyStar.gov.

Industry Events