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, 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:
Minimum HERS index of 85
Thermal Bypass Inspection
Dust Blaster Test
Blower Door Test
For more information visit www.energystar.gov
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