President Obama was careful not to undermine the Home Star program by referring to its adopted media name, ‘Cash for Caulkers.’ That’s because this consumer rebate program, in comparison with its automotive counterpart, isn’t simply meant to stimulate the economy while promoting energy efficiency; this one’s about creating jobs, too.

From manufacturers on down to builders, the Home Star program will infuse jobs into a lackluster building industry that has seen better days. The eye-catching figure: 25 percent unemployment among construction jobs. But here’s the good news:

In Georgia alone, where the press conference was held, Obama cited 300 transportation projects currently in the works. And to create the workforce that can do it, he’s looking to put millions more in technical colleges like the one he toured today in Savannah.

Despite its comprehensive goals, the Home Star program’s roots are embedded in one key word: home. This is not only where the heart is, but the heat, too. So for homeowners looking to buy new furnaces or better-insulated windows, there’s a rebate for that. Need a better HVAC system? There’s a rebate for that, too. In fact, a large number of energy-saving home improvements are among the list for eligible rebates.

Taking a cue from grade school incentive programs, Home Star offers two levels of rebates: Gold Star and Silver Star. The following is a description of Silver Star rebates from the White House:

Consumers looking to have simple upgrades performed in their homes would be eligible for 50% rebates up to $1,000 – $1,500 for doing any of a straightforward set of upgrades, including: insulation, duct sealing, water heaters, HVAC units, windows, roofing and doors.

The maximum amount of rebates per home is $3,000.

The Gold Star rebates are performance-based. This is comprised of “a whole home energy audit and subsequent retrofit tailored to achieve a 20 percent energy savings in [consumers’] homes.”

According to Obama, the end goal of all these rebates is to “foster a secure economic future for middle class families.” He admitted that in order to do so, some upfront costs are unavoidable, as with all major system overhauls (he mentioned education and healthcare, specifically).

How will these rebates reach the hands of consumers? Directly, in many cases, say White House officials. At the point of sale or “the point of engagement with a contractor” the consumer will have access to the rebates.

In total, the program is estimated to cost $6 billion. But the government expects a quick trickle effect to spur job creation.  A home audit encourages contractors; when contractors buy materials they need retailers; and retailers get their supply from manufacturers.

To those afraid of investing in an expensive, energy-efficient heating system, Obama says fear not. With the Home Star program, consumers “will get their money back.”

Learn more about energy efficiency retrofits at EE Global’s Executive Dialogue Session 3A: Buildings, Breaking New Ground: Economic Recovery Through Efficiency Retrofits.