Whitehouse tours energy efficient homes

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) - A Rhode Island lawmaker is pushing for incentives that would help homeowners make their homes more energy efficient.

On Wednesday, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse toured three homes in North Kingstown that built using green technology, such as energy-efficient insulation and solar panels.

"This house will have a payback period of zero because the day you move in, you are making money," says local homebuilder David Caldwell.

Caldwell claims it only takes about $5,000 extra to double or triple the energy efficiency of a new home.  Instead of being paid up-front, he says that money can be chopped up into one extra dollar a day in mortgage payments.

Senator Whitehouse says green homes are not only good for homeowners, but also for the environment, and for the economy.

"He's providing jobs to the Rhode Island construction industry, and what he's doing it providing jobs building completely green housing."

Last year, Senator Whitehouse introduced the Energy Efficient Housing Act, which would provide incentives for both homebuyers and builders to go green.

The bill is currently awaiting a vote in the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

Caldwell testified in support of the bill last summer.  He still wonders why people choose not to go with energy efficient homes.

"I'm not sure why.  It would be like buying a car with half the gas mileage."