Retrofitting Professionals Get an Industry Association

Individuals and companies who audit and retrofit homes for greater energy efficiency now have a trade association, Efficiency First. The group hopes to encourage the home retrofit industry through its support of national standards, legislation, incentives, financing, and training. Among the inaugural members are the Building Performance Institute and Affordable Comfort, Inc., both respected industry groups.

Efficiency First offers several levels of membership, from $25 for an individual and $100 for a business to $1,000 for a supporting member. The launch of Efficiency First comes just after a federal economic stimulus bill set aside $5 billion for building retrofits, and as more emphasis is being placed on creating and maintaining “green collar” jobs. More information is available at www.efficiencyfirst.org.