Residential  New Construction: An  Overview of
Energy Use and Energy Efficiency  Opportunities
Energy Use in Residential New Construction
The residential sector accounts for 21 percent of the nation's energy use, and the average American household contributes twice as
much greenhouse gas to the environment as the average vehicle, while spending $1,900 a year on energy bills.

Because homes can be enjoyed from 50 to 100 years, ensuring their energy efficiency during design and construction is an excellent
way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save American homeowners millions of dollars.
Energy Efficiency Opportunities
ENERGY STAR qualified homes are at least 15 percent more efficient than homes built to current
energy codes, with many achieving 20 to 25 percent more efficiency without costing more to
build than a regular home.

More than 725,000 ENERGY STAR homes have been builtthrough 2006, resulting in annual
savings of $170 million for homeowners. Over 12 percent of all single-family new home starts in
2006 earned the ENERGY STAR. In many areas, newly built ENERGY STAR homes represent 20
percent or more of new construction.

Over 3,500 builders across  the country have partnered with ENERGY STAR, ranging from large,
national  builders who construct hundreds  of home each year, to individuals building their own
homes.

ENERGY STAR builders choose from a variety of proven energy efficiency features to meet
program guidelines:

Effective Insulation
Properly installed and inspected insulation in floors, walls, and attics ensures consistent
temperatures with less energy use. The result is lower utility costs and a quieter, more
comfortable home.

High Performance Windows
Energy-efficient windows use advanced technologies to keep heat in during the winter and  out
during the summer. They also block damaging ultraviolet sunlight that can discolor carpets and
furnishings.

Tight Construction and Ducts
Advanced techniques for sealing holes and cracks in a 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.

Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment
In addition to  using less energy to operate, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems can run quieter, reduce indoor humidity, and
improve  overall home comfort.
Homebuilders Making a Difference:
Ence Homes has been an ENERGY STAR
partner since 1998, building all of its homes to
ENERGY STAR guidelines. In 2006,281 Ence
homes earned the ENERGY STAR label,
bringing the company total to more than 1,700
homes. This represents a reduction of nearly 8
million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.
Ence collaborated with Utah Power Slight to
create a case study about ENERGY STAR and
the role it has played in homes built bythe
company; it also participated in the Energy
Efficient Launch bythe Fannie Mae
Foundation of Utah.
Haven Properties, an Atlanta-based
homebuilderthatalso builds 100 percent of its
homes to ENERGY STAR guidelines, has
contributed significantly to the growth of
ENERGY STAR in that market. The company
has increased consumer awareness of
ENERGY STAR through a weekly two-minute
TV spot on Sunday mornings. Haven
participated in the ENERGY STAR Change a
Light, Change the World campaign and
promoted it at an employee and agent launch,
followed by a public event, where they gave
away compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) and
encouraged consumers to take the pledge to
change at least one incandescent light bulb to
an ENERGY STAR qualified CFL
ENERGY STAR® is a government-backed program helping businesses
and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency.
         LEARN  MORE AT
         energystar.gov

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Residential New Construction: An Overview of
Energy Use and Energy Efficiency Opportunities
Energy Efficiency Opportunities (cont.)
Efficient Products
ENERGY STAR homes are often equipped with ENERGY STAR qualified products such as CFLs and lighting fixtures, vent fans,
and appliances.

Third-Party Testing
With the help of an independent Home Energy Rater, ENERGY STAR builders choose the most appropriate energy-saving features for
their homes. The rater conducts on-site inspections and testing to verify the energy efficiency measures that qualify the home as
ENERGY STAR.

Talking to Homebuilders About Energy Efficiency
Enhanced Homebuyer Satisfaction
ENERGY STAR builders help consumers save money, be more comfortable at home, and protect our environment. The quality features
built into qualified homes often translate into increased customer satisfaction and more positive referrals. Recent J.D. Power surveys
suggest a  strong correlation between participation in ENERGY STAR and higher customer satisfaction ratings.

Increased Profit
The energy-saving features found in  ENERGY STAR  homes offer the opportunity to enhance profitability and are in high demand by
today's consumers. Buyers can use projected energy savings to pay for other high-value upgrades.

Reduced Liability
The details of home building that were once hidden  behind walls are now easy to see with infrared cameras. ENERGY STAR
construction helps reduce homeowner callbacks resulting from poor construction practices detectable by infrared cameras. ENERGY
STAR builders report reduced customer callbacks and warranty claims that can eat into the bottom  line.

ENERGY STAR Resources
ENERGY STAR builder partners have  access to a variety of technical and marketing materials at no cost:
> ENERGY STAR logo marks for use in marketing materials and publicity
> An online Toolkit that makes it easy to produce customized marketing materials
> Consumer brochures describing the features and  benefits of ENERGY STAR
> Detailed factsheets about typical features found in qualified homes

Recognition for Achievements
Partnering with ENERGY STAR distinguishes builders as leaders in  efficient construction and environmental stewardship. EPA provides
builders with recognition for their participation in the program through:
> Listings on the ENERGY STAR Web site
> Awards for reaching program milestones
> Public Service Announcements publicizing ENERGY STAR and its partners
> Local market consumer outreach featuring participating builders

Visitwww.energystar.gov/homesformore information on ENERGY STAR resources and recognition.
ENERGY STAR® is a government-backed program helping businesses
and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency.

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