ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.
Results are already adding up. Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved enough energy in 2006 alone to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 25 million cars — all while saving $14 billion on their utility bills.
What Makes An ENERGY STAR home?
Building houses to the ENERGY STAR standard helps to save the earth, and save you money. Without a great deal more effort, new homes can be built to the EPA’s ENERGY STAR® standard. Typical ENERGY STAR Upgrades include:
- Enhanced Insulation: Greater insulation levels in walls, floors, and attics result in better energy performance and greater comfort. The higher the R-value of insulation, the greater the performance. The insulation value of windows is also important. ENERGY STAR homes often have low-E, argon gas-filled double-pane windows.
- Air Sealing: Caulking and foaming holes and gaps in the building envelope can improve comfort, reduce annual heating/cooling loss and utility bills by over 30%, and create a quieter interior environment. Air sealing, one of the most cost-effective ENERGY STAR® upgrades, can be performed easily and inexpensively during
the construction of your home.
- Ventilation: All ENERGY STAR homes are equipped with a quality ventilation system to ensure optimum indoor air quality. Building science tells us that the best way to achieve a highly comfortable, energy efficient home is to “build tight, and ventilate right”.
- High-efficiency Appliances: Why spend $1,000 a year to run your HVAC system when you can spend less? That’s the idea behind ENERGY STAR-rated heating and cooling systems, which are over 30% more efficient than average equipment. Choosing ENERGY STAR refrigerators, dishwashers, and lighting also help to make your home
more affordable.
ENERGY STAR Certification – Step by Step
- Plans Review and Energy Rating. Home Energy Solutions energy experts will perform a Home Energy Rating by reviewing your plans and assessing the energy efficiency of the home as currently designed. HES will make recommendations for energy-saving improvements to get your home at – or above - the required minimum score
for ENERGY STAR certification.
- Home Testing and Inspection. Your home will be inspected three times during the construction phase.
- Prior to insulation, inspecting for air sealing requirements;
- After the insulation is installed and before the drywall is placed;
- Final inspection - after the drywall and the installation of mechanical equipment for final performance testing.
- ENERGY STAR Home Certification. Once your home is completed, a final Home Energy Rating is conducted to assess the home’s energy efficiency and certify that it meets ENERGY STAR Homes guidelines.
ENERGY STAR Homes:
- Are performance tested by a third party energy conservation specialist to verify the quality of the installed energy features.
- Have minimal callbacks. Homes built using the “house as a system” approach have very few, if any, builder callbacks. For example, air leaks in a code-built home not only waste energy and cause occupant discomfort, they can contribute to moisture problems in a home’s structure. Common homeowner complaints such
as “sweaty” windows, and mold growth are non-issues in an ENERGY STAR® Home.
- Are more durable. Due to the high level of craftsmanship of ENERGY STAR® Home builders, these homes tend to be more durable than code-built homes. The greater attention to energy details is indicative of a builder’s attention to the other construction details of the house. Enhanced durability also results in
reduced maintenance costs for the homeowner.
- Have lower “life cycle” costs. The features of an ENERGY STAR® Home can save the homeowner thousands of dollars in energy costs and create a higher quality of life for the homeowner.
- Have a higher resale value. A study by the EPA concludes that energy efficiency substantially increases the market value of homes. Homeowners who invest in energy efficiency can expect to recover 2 to 4 times the initial cost of their investments when they sell their homes, or $8,400 for a typical ENERGY STAR®
Home. The study also finds that a home’s value increases by $20 for every $1 reduction in annual utility bills
- Are Healthier. Mechanical ventilation in an ENERGY STAR® Home can provide fresh air to your house at exactly the recommended rate as opposed to relying on the variability of outdoor temperature and wind conditions to provide ventilation through leaks and gaps in the building envelope. “Building tight and ventilating
right” ensures that the homeowner is provided with a controlled supply of clean and healthy air at all times.
- Reduce harmful emissions. The burning of fossil fuel produces other environmentally harmful emissions such as sulfur dioxide (SOx), nitrous oxide (NOx), and mercury. ENERGY STAR® Homes help to reduce the emission of these substances into our environment.
- Help to prevent global climate change. The energy used by American homes accounts for 20% of total US carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Since CO2 is a major contributor to global climate change, limiting its emissions into our atmosphere by building more efficient homes is essential for improving the environment. Save
You Money!
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Efficient Home
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Monthly
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Annually
|
|
Utility Savings
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$40
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$480
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|
Additional Mortgage Costs (upgrades)
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$12
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-$144
|
|
Savings
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$28
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$336
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Based on $2000 additional cost @ 6% interest over 30 years
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