ENERGY STAR® Certified Home Features
ENERGYSTAR
Energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
A COMPLETE HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM
Heating and cooling can cost the average homeowner more than
$1,000 a year—nearly half of the total energy bill. To help reduce
these costs, ENERGY STAR certified homes come equipped with
heating, ventilating, and cooling (HVAC) systems that are designed
and installed to optimize performance, lower utility bills, keep you
more comfortable, and provide better moisture control, better indoor
air quality, and quieter operation. During design and construction,
ENERGY STAR builder partners must meet all of the requirements of
EPA's comprehensive HVAC Quality Installation inspections and work
with trained and credentialed HVAC professionals to ensure that—
•	Heating and cooling equipment and associated ductwork are sized
and installed correctly to maximize comfort and performance*
•	Ducts are properly sealed to reduce air leakage, comfort
problems, and expenses.
•	Air is filtered and a mechanical ventilation system that draws in
outside air is provided to reduce indoor air pollutants.
When builders meet these rigorous requirements, you get a home
with a complete heating, ventilating, and cooling system—a better
approach to building a better home.
EFFICIENT EQUIPMENT
ENERGY STAR certified homes typically include high-efficiency
HVAC equipment that uses less energy, operates at reduced
noise levels, and often comes with extended warranty coverage,
helping you save on utility bills and maintenance costs.
PROPER SYSTEM DESIGN AND QUALITY INSTALLATION
Trained HVAC professionals design and install the heating
and cooling systems in ENERGY STAR certified homes in
accordance with best practices established by the leading
industry association and equipment manufacturers*
System Design and Sizing - Proper sizing of equipment and
ductwork is essential to achieving optimum performance
and comfort. Homes with oversized systems may not be as
comfortable because of frequent on/off cycling, which can
cause large temperature swings and lead to poor humidity
control. Incorrect sizing can also put stress on system
components and shorten the equipment's life. HVAC
professionals are required in most cases to perform
detailed calculations to determine the optimal heating and
cooling system for your ENERGY STAR certified home based
on factors such as home location and orientation, house size,
window types and locations, and insulation levels.
Duct Design and Installation - In many homes, ductwork
carries air from the central heater or air conditioner to
each part of the home and back again. In ENERGY STAR
certified homes where ducts are used, they are properly
sized to ensure that the right amount of air gets to each
room and has a path to get back to the central unit. HVAC
professionals install ducts without kinks, sharp bends,
or excessive coiling or looping to help air flow freely and
efficiently throughout the house. In addition, they insulate
ducts in unconditioned spaces, such as crawl spaces and
attics, to minimize energy losses.
* Applies to installation of ventilating systems and the most common types of heating and cooling systems in new homes.

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Duct Sealing - Sealing air ducts is an important step in the
installation process. In a typical house, about 20 percent of the
air moving through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes,
and poor connections. As the owner of an ENERGY STAR
certified home, you can be sure you are paying less to heat or
cool air because duct joints and seams are properly sealed
with durable materials. HVAC professionals will also typically
seal ducts at the connections to air inlets and registers to
prevent conditioned air from seeping into the walls, ceilings, or
floors, which could condense and lead to moisture problems.
System Tests - HVAC professionals work with trained Home
Energy Raters to perform several system tests of your
ENERGY STAR certified home, as applicable, to ensure that
the HVAC systems are operating properly. For example,
the HVAC professionals check the refrigerant charge in air
conditioners and heat pumps—an important step because an
improperly charged system can consume more energy and
provide less dehumidification. The HVAC professionals also
checkthe electrical connections of the equipment because
if the voltage or current is too high or too low, it can shorten
the life of the unit. Last, but not least, the HVAC contractors
take measurements to make sure that the proper volume of
air is flowing in the equipment and in each room—this helps
to avoid comfort problems and high utility bills. Raters also
test the duct system to verify that connections have been
properly sealed for optimum performance.
WHOLE-HOUSE MECHANICAL VENTILATION
Every ENERGY STAR certified home is built with a mechanical
ventilation system to provide outside air and to reduce indoor
air pollutants. These mechanical ventilation systems are
designed to ensure that any outside air inlets are located
away from known contamination sources, such as garages
or exhaust fans, and include screens to keep pests out.
Premium air filters (rated MERV-6 or higher) are used so you
can breathe easier knowing that outside air and indoor return
air are filtered to help reduce dust, allergens, and other
airborne pollutants. These filters are located to allow for easy
routine maintenance.
Exhaust fans are installed in bathrooms and kitchens to
vent moisture and fumes directly to the outdoors (fans in many
typical homes often vent to the inside of the home). Quieter
fans are also used so you can run the fans when needed
without being disturbed by noise.
improper Installation
Proper Installation
m
Ducts are crammed into cavity, kinked
and sharply bent.
Ducts are run straight and supported
properly.
Combustion appliances, such as furnaces, boilers, and water
heaters are directly vented to the outdoors; installed in lower-
risk areas, such as garages or attics; and combustion tests are
done to help ensure safe operation.
BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE
An ENERGY STAR certified new home delivers better energy
efficiency and so much more. An ENERGY STAR certified
home is built better and built to last because the best, tried-
and-true, integrated construction practices are used from the
ground up. The result is better quality and durability, better
comfort, better systems, a better value for today, and a better
investment for tomorrow—plus a label backed by EPA. In
short, better is better.
ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency in 1992 as a market-based partnership
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy
efficiency. ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers
energy-efficient solutions to decrease energy consumption,
save money, and help protect the environment for future
generations. Nearly 20,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR
partners, committed to improving energy efficiency in homes,
products, and businesses.
ENERGY STAR Certified Home Features
•	A Complete Thermal Enclosure System
•	A Complete Water Management System
•	A Complete Heating, Ventilating, and Cooling System
•	Efficient Lighting and Appliances
•	Independent Inspections and Testing
Ask your builder for more information.
Homes that earn the ENERGY STAR prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency
guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, www.energystar.gov
ENERGYSTAR

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