ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR®
QUALIFIED HOMES
Assured Performance in
Every Qualified Home
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"ENERGY STAR was a smart choice for our first
home. It's not just about the savings. We like that our
home was built with cutting-edge technology and
the environment in mind. Protecting the environment
is important to us—and this
gave us an opportunity to be part
of the solution."
—Leona Fisher and Will Sankhla
Fontana, CA i
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DISCOVER THE ENERGY STAR
DIFFERENCE
Buying a new home is one of the biggest purchases you'll ever make.
By choosing one that has earned the government's trusted ENERGY STAR
label, you can have the house of your dreams and enjoy peace of mind
knowing it's been built to meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
With ENERGY STAR, you know you're making the right
decision—for your wallet, for your family, and for the
environment—bringing these important benefits:
• Lower Utility Bills
By using less energy for heating, cooling, and
water heating, ENERGY STAR qualified homes
deliver approximately 20% savings on annual utility
bills. Over the 7 to 8 years that a typical family lives
in a home, you can save thousands of dollars in
maintenance cost.
• Enhanced Performance
In ENERGY STAR qualified homes, comfort is ensured
with consistent temperatures between and across
rooms; indoor air quality is enhanced by reducing
dust, pollen, bugs, and excessive humidity; and
durability is improved with comprehensive water
protection, windows that block damaging sunlight,
and better grade equipment.
• Environmental Protection
EVERY ENERGY STAR
HOME FEATURES;*
1. A Complete Thermal
Enclosure System
2. A Complete Heating
and Cooling System
3. A Complete Water
Management System
4. Energy-Efficient
Lighting and
Appliances
5. Third-Party Verification
"These features refer to homes
using ENERGY STAR for Homes
Version 3 guidelines. Until
January 2012, builders may
use priorversions of the ENERGY
STAR guidelines. Askyour builder
for more information.
The energy used in our homes often comes from the burning of fossil
fuels at power plants. So, by using less energy to operate, ENERGY STAR
qualified homes help to prevent air pollution—an added benefit for today's
environmentally-conscious consumer looking for "green" choices.
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1. A COMPLETE THERMAL
ENCLOSURE SYSTEM
Comprehensive air sealing,
properly installed insulation,
and high-performance
windows work together to
enhance comfort, improve
durability, reduce maintenance
costs, and lower monthly
utility bills.
• Air Sealing
An average home contains a half-mile of cracks and gaps around
windows and doors—along with hundreds of holes for pipes, ventilation
ducts, lighting, and wiring. Sealing these cracks and holes helps reduce
drafts, moisture, dust, pollen, pests, and noise. A tightly sealed home
improves comfort and indoor air quality while reducing utility bills.
• Properly Installed Insulation
It's not the amount of insulation; it's the quality of installation that
makes all the difference. Proper installation includes careful
placement to eliminate gaps, voids, and compression; complete air
barriers that prevent air from bypassing the insulation; and building
techniques that minimize heat flow through framing. This ensures
consistent temperatures throughout the house, reduced energy use,
and increased comfort.
• High-Performance Windows
Advanced technologies, like protective coatings and improved frames,
help keep heat in during winter and out during summer. They also block
damaging ultravioletsunlightthat can discolor carpets and furnishings.
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2. A COMPLETE HEATING AND
COOLING SYSTEM
High-efficiency systems are
engineered and installed to
deliver more comfort, better
moisture control, improved
indoor air quality, and quieter
operation.
• Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment
Look for higher efficiency equipment that delivers premium
performance. This equipment uses less energy, operates at reduced
noise levels, and often comes with extended warranty coverage.
• Proper Design and Quality Installation Practices
The heating and cooling systems in ENERGY STAR qualified homes
are fully engineered and tested, including sizing of equipment and
ducts, sealing and testing ductwork, verifying proper refrigerant
charge (for central air conditioners and heat pumps), and ensuring
room-by-room air flow. This is all done in accordance with best
practices established by the leading industry association and
equipment manufacturers.
• Whole-House Mechanical Ventilation
The living space in ENERGY STAR qualified homes has a constant
source of fresh, filtered air to remove pollutants from your home.
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3. A COMPLETE WATER
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
A comprehensive package
of best building practices
and materials protects roofs,
walls, and foundations from
water damage and helps
ensure durability and superior
indoor air quality.
• Water-Managed Construction Details
Tried-and-true building practices, such as flashing, moisture
barriers, and heavy-duty membranes, are employed to effectively
drain water from the roofs, walls, and foundations of ENERGY STAR
qualified homes.
• Building Materials
Proper storage and selection of materials helps prevent water- and
mold-damaged materials in ENERGY STAR qualified homes.
"Choosing an ENERGY STAR home has made a
significant difference for us. Our first electric bill was
extremely low—we love the savings! And knowing
that we have a safe, energy-efficient home we can
live in for years is so comforting."
—7776 Costa Family, Dallas, TX
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'We're dedicated to building energy-efficient homes
so that families who choose our homes not only
save money on their utility bills, but also enjoy the
comfort and durability of a home built to such
high standards."
—WGB Construction Company, South Grafton, MA
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4. ENERGY-EFFICIENT LIGHTING
AND APPLIANCES
ENERGY STAR qualified lighting, appliances, and fans can be
found throughout an ENERGY STAR home, helping to reduce
monthly utility bills, while providing high-quality performance.
• Advanced Lighting
ENERGY STAR qualified fixtures and bulbs come in many shapes
and sizes. This gives home buyers a wide range of lighting
choices that allow them to create the atmosphere they wantfor
their homes. ENERGY STAR lighting offers significant cost savings
and longer lifetimes than standard products.
• ENERGY STAR Qualified Appliances
Household appliances accountfor nearly 20 percent of energy
use in an average house. A comprehensive package of ENERGY
STAR qualified appliances can reduce energy costs, while
offering improved performance, quality, and durability. ENERGY
STAR qualified homes often include ENERGY STAR qualified
dishwashers, refrigerators, washing machines, ceiling fans,
and ventilation fans.
"We have noticed substantial savings, not only in our utility
bills, but in our overall energy consumption. This is due to
the added benefits of having ENERGY
STAR appliances, effective insulation,
and high-performance, energy- f^^
efficient windows."
-The Orrock Family
Las Vegas, NV
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5. THIRD-PARTY
VERIFICATION
• Climate-Specific Recommendations
For a home to be truly energy efficient, its design and construction
must consider local conditions. Home Energy Raters are trained in
climate-specific energy saving techniques, and their knowledge and
field experience help ENERGY STAR builder partners select the most
appropriate energy-efficient features.
• Field Verification
Raters conduct onsite inspections and testing
of ENERGY STAR qualified homes to ensure
they meet rigorous program guidelines. The
process typically includes a blower door test
to measure air leakage in the house, a duct
blaster test to measure duct leakage, and a
comprehensive set of inspections to assure
proper construction details.
• Quality Assurance
Homes that earn the ENERGY STAR typically undergo significantly
more systems engineering, inspections, and testing than homes built to
code. This verification process helps to identify and correct mistakes
before they become problems and holds builders accountable to higher
standards.
• Peace of Mind That Comes with Making a Smart Purchase
Lookforthe blue ENERGY STAR label—typically located
on a home's circuit breaker box. It assures you that the
home has been verified by an independent Home Energy
Rater to be truly energy efficient.
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JOIN THE ENERGY STAR
HOMES FAMILY
More than 1 million families across the country are
living in ENERGY STAR qualified homes. Together, these
homeowners saved more than $270 million lastyear on
their utility bills, while avoiding greenhouse gas emissions
equivalent to those from 370,000 vehicles. By choosing
ENERGY STAR for your new home, you'll join the growing
number of families enjoying a better home with lower
ownership costs.
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LEARN MORE AT
energystar.gov
ENERGY STAR was introduced by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992
as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy
efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and
consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy,
save money, and help protect the environment for
future generations. More than 17,000 organizations are
ENERGY STAR partners, committed to improving energy
efficiency in homes, products, and businesses.
Learn more, visit energystar.gov
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Air and Radiation (6202J)
EPA430-F10-001
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