ENERGY
STAR
is a formal rating program for residential energy efficiency. It was
created in 1992 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as
a labeling program for energy-efficient products but has expanded to
include the entire building envelope.
Today ENERGY STAR qualified homes can include a variety of
energy-efficient features, such as effective insulation, high
performance windows, tight construction and ducts, cool roofing,
light colored exterior paint, efficient heating and cooling equipment,
and ENERGY STAR qualified lighting and
appliances.
According to the EPA, ENERGY STAR qualified homes are at least 15
percent more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004
International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional
energy-saving features that typically make them 20–30% more
efficient than standard homes.
Any home three stories or less can earn the ENERGY STAR label if it
has been verified to meet EPA’s guidelines for energy efficiency.
This includes site-constructed homes, attached or detached homes,
single or low-rise multi-family residential buildings, manufactured
homes, systems-built (e.g., SIP or modular) and log homes, existing
homes, or retrofitted homes.
GETTING STARTED:
This certification begins with an initial consultation with the
Home Energy Rater
to select from
a number of features when planning and building homes. Click here
for a list of
ENERGY STAR qualified home
requirements.
In order to earn an ENERGY STAR certification, the home must reach the minimums required for the following tests and inspections:
For more information visit
www.energystar.gov
A new version of the Energy Star program will go into effect in 2011. For information on the proposed changes, visit Proposed New Guidelines for ENERGY STAR Qualified New Homes.
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