Gov. Jay Nixon announced a new homeowner energy certification program that encourages Missourians to join the state in efforts to reduce energy usage by making improvements or upgrades to their homes.
The Missouri Home Energy Certification (MHEC) validates energy-efficiency improvements and helps Missouri homeowners save energy as well as recapture the value of their investments.
“Energy efficiency is a win-win for consumers and our economy,” Nixon said. “This new certificate is the state’s seal of approval to those taking positive steps to reduce energy usage and invest in systems that will add value to their homes. This is another opportunity for Missourians to make a difference in our state’s energy future as well as create jobs in the energy solutions industry.”
A recent national poll by the Demand Institute showed that finding an energy-efficient house is a top priority among potential homebuyers. The MHEC will give homeowners an additional selling point and convey the value of their home’s energy-efficient features to potential buyers. Eligible homes can receive gold- or silver-level certification by achieving specified criteria in existing home energy rating systems and implementing significant energy-efficient improvements.
The Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Division of Energy will administer the program to recognize homes that have been audited by a certified home-energy auditor. Under the Missouri Home Energy Certification program, private sector energy auditors with certifications from the Building Performance Institute or the Residential Energy Network will be qualified by the state to issue homeowners a Missouri Home Energy Certificate.
Homeowners can recover some of the upgrade costs through the Missouri Home Energy Audit tax deduction (up to $1,000 for an individual and up to $2,000 per year for those filing a joint return).
Improving energy efficiency has been a central focus of Nixon’s efforts to become more energy independent and to grow the economy. Since the Governor’s Strategic Initiative for Economic Growth recommended supporting the energy solutions industry, the governor has championed many energy efficiency initiatives, including signing landmark legislation in 2009 that gives electric utilities an incentive to increase energy efficiency, transferring the division of energy to the Missouri Department of Economic Development to streamline business resources, and signing an executive order directing state agencies to reduce energy use by 2 percent each year.
In addition, Nixon signed an executive order charging the Division of Energy with developing a comprehensive statewide energy plan to chart a course toward a sustainable and prosperous energy future. The division held several public meetings throughout the state in 2014 as well as solicited comments through the end of January of this year from engaged citizens, businesses, and organizations.
With a report due to Nixon on May 31, working groups are currently reviewing public input on various topics including energy distribution and storage, energy usage, energy and the environment, energy security, and energy pricing, among others. The plan will also put Missouri in a better position to attract businesses working in the energy solutions industry, a sector that was identified for expansion in the Governor’s Strategic Initiative for Economic Growth. In 2013, the energy solutions sector provided jobs to more than 116,000 jobs in Missouri.
The division of energy worked with a diverse group of stakeholders from across the state, including administrators, nonprofits, investor-owned utilities, cooperative utilities, energy auditors, contractors, real estate agents, home appraisers and members of financial institutions, to develop the MHEC program guidelines and certification criteria.
For more information on the Missouri Home Energy Certification program, visit energy.mo.gov/energy/mhec.