Cash for Caulkers is a cute name for a proposed government energy incentive program that is more formally known as "Home Star".

Home Star is currently under deliberation by the government, so the final details aren't yet available. However, the latest proposal is that homeowners would receive direct incentives depending on how many efficiency measures they implement for their houses:

- You could get $2000 for doing 2 upgrades from a list of qualifying efficiency measures.

- Or, $3500 for doing 4 upgrades from a list of qualifying efficiency measures.

- Or, you could get $4000 for taking efficiency steps that reduce your home's overall energy consumption by 20%. And if you can achieve greater levels of energy savings, you could get $1500 for each additional 5% savings.

It's not certain yet, but if enacted, this government program would probably take the place of the current $1500 energy tax credit for implementing energy efficient measures that's good through the end of 2010.

To get the most money from the federal government for upgrading your home, your best bet is to make sure that you max out on the current $1500 tax credit (combined for tax years 2009 - 2010) and then be ready to use the Home Star program for further home efficiency upgrades when it comes out.

For more information on the Home Star/Cash for Caulkers program itself, check out the Efficiency First website - they're one of the primary industry associations driving the legislation.

Also, if you haven't seen the Jon Stewart Daily Show clip about Cash for Caulkers, it's definitely worth a watch.