Andersen Corporation was invited to speak at an International Builders’ Show media event about Project ReEnergize. The Minnesota project was implemented in 2009 using $2.5 million in funds from the federal 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to provide rebates to homeowners for energy efficiency upgrades. Other panelists at the event included Pam Perri Weaver, executive officer of the Builders Association of Minnesota; Bill Killmer, National Association of Home Builders executive vice president for advocacy; and Shawn Nelson, president of New Spaces.
Not only was Project ReEnergize designed to help homeowners reduce their energy bills each year, it was designed to retain jobs for contractors hit hard by challenges in the home industry. It is one of the first state-run programs in the nation that allows homeowners to use federal money to purchase more energy-efficient windows. About 90% of the windows in today’s homes are older, single-pane glass styles that are much less efficient than modern double-pane, triple-pane, or argon-filled products.
The Builders Association of Minnesota, Andersen, and other manufacturers worked with Minnesota legislators to make sure that windows were included in Project ReEnergize. Before this change was made, the program mostly covered traditional weatherization products, such as insulation, water heaters, and weather-stripping materials.
“Other states are challenged with creating a program that effectively helps both homeowners and contractors,” said Maureen McDonough, director of corporate communications and public affairs for Andersen. “Everyone in Minnesota has worked together to make Project ReEnergize a success.”
Since Project ReEnergize was launched in October 2009, it has helped retrofit 1,400 homes with 8,700 energy-efficient windows. Andersen called back 600 jobs during this same period due, in part, to business improvement generated by this program, as well as the company’s strategic marketing and sales efforts. The success of Project ReEnergize has led to its use as a model for the federal Home Star program, nicknamed “Cash for Caulkers.”
“Minnesota’s example is a good one for other states to consider because of the benefits to homeowners, contractors and manufacturers. Andersen is extremely proud to have been a part of this success,” said McDonough.
