STOUGHTON, Wis. -- Wisconsin homeowners have an extra incentive to cross out some of those items on their "to do" lists.

You’ve heard of "Cash For Clunkers." Now get ready for the sequel: "Cash For Caulkers."

President Obama’s proposed program, also labeled "Home Star," proposes a maximum rebate of $3,000 for home upgrades ranging from new windows and insulation to a home-energy retrofit that would more drastically cut homeowners’ energy use.

The cost of the "Home Star" program has been estimated at $6 billion dollars if Congress approves the plan. Which they might due to the employment boost it could create in construction and other related industries.

But in Wisconsin there is federal stimulus money available that homeowners may already qualify for.

Stoughton homeowner Britt Paquette found out she qualified after she grew increasinly exasperated of burning money while she burned her furnace.

"The heat bills were $300-$400 a month," said Paquette.

"My walls carried absolutely zero insulation upstairs, so my whole upstairs was basically letting the heat right out," continued Paquette.

Paquette knew she had to do something about her heat bills, but after being laid off from her teaching job, she thought the only option might be to move out.

Enter Project Home.

What’s Project Home?

"It's a program that's available to low-income people, to conserve energy in their homes, and generally it's at no cost to them, so it enables them to have a more comfortable home," explained Project Home’s Jan Reek.

Paquette’s house now has a new furnace, a new water heater, and whole house insulation with extra protection in the attic.

The cost to Paquette?

Nothing.

And the savings?

Significant.

"A couple of months ago, my energy bills were close to $400, and now they're $125," said Paquette.

Perhaps more importantly, not only is Paquette’s home now more affordable for her to live in, it’s also more comfortable and much more energy efficient.

"My kids have made comments that they don't have to sit on the couch with three blankets on," joked Paquette. "We don't have to wear 14 layers of clothing in the house, now we all look like normal people walking around."

The grand total for the upgrades that will save Paquette thousands of dollars in energy bills was about $20,000.

As of mid-February, it was estimated that only four percent of the 20,000 homes eligible for repair using the $141 million in stimulus money have actually been repaired.

To see if you qualify, go to the home page of the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program.