CHANGE FOR THE
BETTER WITH
ENERGYSTAR
U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency
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99.
EPA 430-F-03-023 April 2004
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"I would recommend ENERGY STAR to anyone looking to
buy a new home. If this house weren't ENERGY STAR
rated, I would n't have bought it."
David Vidal, Homeowner
Las Vegas, NV
"Our subcontractors send their best crews because they
know their work will be inspected."
Astoria Homes, Las Vegas, NV
ENERGY STAR Builder Partner
"The expense of heating and cooling a home is a major
part of the cost of home ownership. By participating in
the ENERGY STAR Program, we've drastically lowered
this expense and been able to deliver what homebuyers
really want—affordable value."
Michael B. Davis, President, Davis Homes
ENERGY STAR Builder Partner
Indianapolis, IN
"Our ENERGY STAR home met so many needs. We
wanted lots of light, a tight house, and low cooling bills.
We got exactly that—ENERGY STAR really does work!"
Sam and Churice Westbrook, Homeowners
Avondale, AZ
"My biggest selling point for buying an ENERGY STAR
home was resale value. I would highly recommend
ENERGY STAR to anyone because it will definitely save
them money in the long run."
Barry Ellison, Homeowner/Architect
Las Vegas, NV
"As consumers become more educated and familiar with
all of these benefits that energy efficiency has to offer,
in 5 years non-ENERGY STAR rated homes will become
functionally obsolete."
Karl Sayles, Darty Appraisal Service
Melrose, FL
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ENERGYSTAR
WHAT IS
ENERGY STAR*?
ENERGY STAR is the government-backed symbol for
energy efficiency. The mark identifies new homes and
more than 50 types of products that are energy efficient
and offer the features, quality, and performance that
today's consumers expect. Products that can earn the
ENERGY STAR include appliances, lighting, home office
equipment, consumer electronics, and heating and cooling
equipment.
A home that earns the ENERGY STAR is significantly more
efficient than a standard home. By purchasing an
ENERGY STAR qualified home, you can have all the
features you desire in your new home, plus lower utility
bills—all while helping to prevent greenhouse gas
emissions.
ENERGY STAR is a voluntary partnership between the
government and more than 8,000 organizations, including
3,500 of the nation's home builders. Together with home
buyers and their families, we are working to achieve a
common goal—protecting the environment for future
generations by changing to more energy-efficient
practices today.
It's our future. Together, we can make a change for
the better. In 2005, Americans with the help of ENERGY
STAR saved about $12 billion on their utility bills and
reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those
from 23 million vehicles.
HOW DO HOMES QUALIFY AS
ENERGY STAR?
Homes that earn the ENERGY STAR are significantly more
energy efficient than standard homes,' incorporating a
variety of features, including
EFFECTIVE INSULATION
Properly installed and inspected insulation in floors, walls,
and attics ensures even temperatures throughout the
house, while using less energy. The result is lower utility
costs and a quieter, more comfortable home.
HIGH-PERFORMANCE WINDOWS
Windows with advanced coatings and construction help
keep heat in during winter and out during summer. They also
block damaging ultraviolet sunlight that can discolor carpets
and furnishings.
TIGHT CONSTRUCTION AND TIGHT DUCTS
Advanced techniques for sealing holes and cracks in the
home's "envelope" and in heating and cooling ducts help
reduce drafts, moisture, dust, pollen, pests, and noise.
A tightly sealed home improves comfort and indoor
air quality, while lowering utility and maintenance costs.
MORE EFFICIENT HEATING AND
COOLING EQUIPMENT
Energy-efficient, properly installed heating and cooling
systems use less energy, which reduces utility bills. You
can expect higher quality and greater durability backed
by longer warranties now available on many models.
INDEPENDENT TESTING
While it's easy for builders to claim that their homes are
energy efficient, ENERGY STAR partners back that up
with a third-party inspection to verify the home's energy
performance.
ENERGY STAR qualified homes also undergo an additional
comprehensive inspection of insulation and air sealing
details to ensure that they deliver the full comfort and
energy savings they are designed to achieve.
' ENERGY STAR qualified homes are at least 15% more energy
efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential
Code (IRC).
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ENERGY STAR QUALIFIED HOMES
HOME OWNER BENEFITS
PEACE OF MIND
Home buying is complex enough without having to know
all the details of energy-efficient construction. Instead, look
for the government-backed ENERGY STAR to easily identify
homes that are truly energy efficient. Find the house of your
dreams and enjoy peace of mind knowing that it also meets
strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency.
LOWER OWNERSHIP COST
Compared with standard construction, ENERGY STAR qualified
homes use substantially less energy for heating, cooling, and
water heating—delivering $200 to $400 in annual savings.
Over the average 7 to 8 years you may live in your home, this
adds up to thousands of dollars saved on utility bills. Additional
savings on maintenance can also be substantial.
BETTER PERFORMANCE
Properly installed energy-efficient improvements deliver better
protection against cold, heat, drafts, moisture, pollution, and
noise. An energy-efficient home helps to ensure consistent
temperatures between and across rooms, improved indoor
air quality, and greater durability.
SMART INVESTMENT
To date, 3,500 home builders have partnered with EPA to
construct more than 650,000 ENERGY STAR qualified homes.
By the end of the decade, more than 2 million homes are
expected to earn the ENERGY STAR. The trend is clear.
By choosing a home with the ENERGY STAR, you can be
confident that it will have an increasingly valued feature
when the time comes to sell.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Did you knowthatyour home can be a greater source
of pollution than your car? In fact, about 17 percent of U.S.
greenhouse gas emissions are generated from the energy
used in houses nationwide.
Energy used in our homes often comes from the burning of
fossil fuels at power plants, which contributes to smog, acid
rain, and global warming. Simply put, the less energy we use
in our homes, the less air pollution we generate.
Homes that earn the ENERGY STAR prevent
greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict
energy efficiency guidelines set by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
For more information, visit www.energystar.gov
ENERGYSTAR
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EPA
UNITED STATES
ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
6202J
WASHINGTON DC 20460
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
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