What is
ENERGY STAR?
ENERGY STAR is the government-backed symbol for
energy efficiency. The mark identifies new homes,
buildings, and more than 50 types of products that
are energy efficient and offer the features, quality,
and performance today's consumers expect.
Homes that earn the ENERGY STAR are significantly
more energy efficient than standard homes.1 By
purchasing an ENERGY STAR qualified home, you
can have all the features you desire in your new
home, plus better performance and lower utility
bills—all while helping reduce greenhouse
gas emissions.
ENERGY STAR was introduced by EPA in 1992
as a voluntary partnership to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions through increased energy efficiency.
Today, ENERGY STAR offers consumers and
businesses energy-efficient solutions to save energy,
save money, and help protect the environment for
future generations.
LEARN MORE AT
energystar.gov
Only ENERGY STAR qualified
homes are eligible to earn the
Indoor airPLUS label.
ENERGY STAR qualified homes are at least 15% 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.
SEPA
Indoor airPLUS
Better Environments
Inside and Out
www.epa.gov/indoorairplus
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Air and Radiation (6609J)
EPA 402/F-09/001 I January 2009
All Indoor airPLUS qualified homes also meet strict
guidelines for energy efficiency set by ENERGY STAR,
the nationally-recognized symbol for energy efficiency.
ENERGY STAR
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EPA Indoor
airpius
Better Environments, Inside and Out
Look for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) Indoor airPLUS and ENERGY STAR labels on
your new home. Reduced indoor air pollutants help
protect your family inside. Reduced greenhouse gas
emissions help protect the air outside.
Homes with the Indoor
airPLUS label are designed
for improved indoor air
quality compared to homes
built to minimum code.*
Why does
indoor air quality matter?
People are increasingly concerned about mold, radon,
carbon monoxide, and toxic chemicals in their homes.
In fact, EPA studies show that levels of air pollution
inside the home are often two to five times higher than
outdoor levels. And poor indoor air quality can lead to
eye irritation, headaches, allergies, respiratory problems
such as asthma, and other serious health problems.
How can building practices
help improve
indoor air quality?
Builders can use a variety of construction practices
and technologies to decrease the risk of poor indoor air
quality, including careful selection and installation of
moisture control systems, heating, ventilating, and
air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, combustion-venting
systems, and building materials. But it's not easy for
homebuyers to keep track of all the preferred
construction details that lead to improved indoor air
quality. That's why EPA created the Indoor airPLUS
label. Ask for it on your next new home.
How do homes earn the
Indoor airPLUS label?
Start with ENERGY STAR
A home must first be designed and built to earn the
ENERGY STAR—the government-backed symbol for
energy efficiency. The result is a home that is
significantly more energy efficient than a home
built to minimum code, helping reduce greenhouse
gas emissions.
Add indoor air improvements
More than 30 additional home design and construction
features are included in the Indoor airPLUS label to help
protect qualified homes from moisture and mold, pests,
combustion gases, and other airborne pollutants.
Complete the package with independent
testing and verification
The home's energy performance and many key features
of Indoor airPLUS are inspected by an independent
third-party to ensure that the builder has properly
followed EPA's rigorous guidelines for energy efficiency
and indoor air quality.
'"Indoor airPLUS construction specifications are designed
to help improve indoor air quality (IAQ) in new homes
compared with homes built to minimum code. However, these
features alone cannot prevent all IAQ problems. Occupant
behavior is also important for IAQ, For example, products used
negatively impact the home's IAQ and the performance of the
specified Indoor airPLUS features.
www.epa.gov/indoorairplus
What features are included in
new homes that qualify for
Indoor airPLUS?
Moisture Control: Moisture problems can lead to mold
and other biological pollutants that can negatively impact
health. With Indoor airPLUS, builders use a variety of moisture
control features designed to minimize these risks, including
improved control of condensation and better roof, wall, and
foundation drainage.
Radon Control: Exposure to radon, a naturally occurring
radioactive, invisible, and odorless gas, is the second leading
cause of lung cancer in the United States. In high radon
potential areas, homes meeting the Indoor airPLUS
specifications are built with radon-resistant construction
techniques. Homebuyers in these areas are also provided
with test kits to check radon levels after they move in.
Pest Management: Residue from pests such as rodents
and cockroaches are known to trigger allergy and asthma
episodes. With Indoor airPLUS, builders provide a first-line
defense against these problems by fully sealing, caulking, or
screening likely pest entry points. When these physical barriers
are combined with proper pest management techniques, fewer
pesticides may be needed.
www.epa.gov/indoorairplus
Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC):
Poorly designed and installed HVAC systems can lead to
comfort and air quality problems. Homes with the Indoor
airPLUS label include properly engineered systems, improved
duct and equipment installation, improved filtration, and
whole-house and spot ventilation to dilute and remove indoor
pollutants. Builders also inspect air-handling equipment and
ductwork to ensure they are clean and free of debris and
provide adequate air-flow.
Combustion Venting: Homes with the Indoor airPLUS label
can help protect residents from potential exposure to combustion
pollutants by requiring heating equipment that cannot leak
combustion gases inside the home, installing carbon monoxide
alarms in each sleeping area, and taking steps to prevent
pollutants in the garage from entering the house.
Building Materials: The types of materials that builders
choose and the way they manage them during construction can
affect a home's indoor air quality. Builders following the Indoor
airPLUS specifications reduce sources of pollutants by protecting
materials stored on-site from weather damage, using materials
with reduced chemical content, and ventilating homes prior to
move-in to help improve indoor air quality.
Homeowner Education: After purchasing a home with the
Indoor airPLUS label, owners receive a checklist of verified
indoor air quality features, and instructions for operating and
maintaining equipment to continue minimizing risks of indoor
air quality problems.
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