I spoke with an Energy Star rep on Friday. I have been reluctant to get real excited about being a member as the customers in my area are more concerned with features and bottom line then energy efficiency but I did learn something that should be passed on to those looking at SIPs.

The thing I learned is that there is a prescriptive method to qualify for Energy Star using SIPs. It requires a SIP roof. This is a great argument for using roof panels that hasn't ever been argued in the great debate. I am not sure why JC has not jumped on this. This is important because many SIP structures have value where labor costs are high. Remote mountain locations come to mind. Since energy raters in my area charge around $600 plus 1.75/mile the prescriptive approach to put the label on your home would allow the benefits without negating the gain with the physical site test. And since the energy credit is only $2k you don't want to lose most of your gain just in validating the gain.

Check with your power company, in our area Progress Energy Florida does the energy rating /certification free!
In the state of Louisiana the dept. of natural resources has a rebate program that will give back about $2,000. when certain energy star criteria is met