ENERGY STAR® Certified Home Features Energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) EFFICIENT LIGHTING AND APPLIANCES ADVANCED LIGHTING ENERGY STAR builder partners offering advanced lighting options knowthatyou expect high-quality design and functionality. ENERGY STAR qualified fixtures and bulbs are found in many shapes and sizes—giving you a wide range of lighting choices to match the atmosphere you want in your home. The attractive designs are complemented by features such as quick starts and no humming; some models include dimming or switching capabilities, automatic daylight shut-off, and motion sensors. ENERGY STAR qualified lighting also offers significant cost savings and longer lifetimes when compared to standard products. Cost Savings - On average, ENERGY STAR qualified bulbs and fixtures use about 75 percent less energy than traditional models. An ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) that uses only 13 to 15 watts can replace a 60-watt incandescent bulb and save more than $40 in electricity costs over the bulb's lifetime. Long Life - Qualified bulbs and fixtures last 10 to 50 times longer than traditional incandescent light bulbs. This means you won't have to worry about regularly replacing bulbs— convenient for those hard-to-reach fixtures. The lighting and appliances in your home come with two price tags—the purchase price and the cost to operate and maintain them. ENERGY STAR qualified lighting and appliances meet strict energy efficiency guidelines that deliver better performance, provide better quality, and help reduce home operating costs through lower monthly utility bills, while creating the style you are looking for in a new home. During construction, ENERGY STAR builder partners often select efficient lighting and appliances to create a complete energy-efficient package that meets EPA's rigorous guidelines—a better approach to building a better home. High Quality — ENERGY STAR qualified fixtures and bulbs offer the same amount of light, measured in lumens, as incandescent or halogen lighting, while providing a true and natural color without the flicker, hum, or buzz of their infamous fluorescent predecessors. Safety and Reliability - ENERGY STAR qualified light bulbs must meet fire safety requirements, including UL standards (Underwriters Laboratories). When compared to incandescent lighting, ENERGY STAR qualified lighting produces about 75 percent less heat and is much cooler to the touch. All qualified lighting models are tested, must meet strict specifications for energy efficiency and quality, and come with at least a 2-year warranty. ------- ENERGY STAR QUALIFIED APPLIANCES Household appliances can account for nearly 20 percent of energy use in an average house. That is why many ENERGY STAR builder partners are helping buyers like you make smart choices about the models they choose for their new homes, which adds up to real savings in monthly utility bills. A comprehensive package of ENERGY STAR qualified appliances can reduce energy costs, but these models also offer premium features and improved performance over standard products. Refrigerators - A new ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerator is 20 percent more energy efficient than the federal minimum energy efficiency standard. Along with greater efficiency, ENERGY STAR qualified models operate more quietly. Redesigned doors provide better insulation to keep food fresher and, often the doors are deeper, providing more space for commonly used items. Dishwashers - ENERGY STAR qualified models are about 10 percent more energy efficient than conventional units. Their advanced technologies include more effective washing action to reduce pre-rinsing, energy-efficient motors for quieter operation, and sensors that determine the cycle length and water temperature necessary to clean the dishes. These "smart" features minimize water use, which helps reduce the cost of heating water each time you run a cycle. Clothes Washers - ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers come in front-loading and top-loading models. Both use over 50 percent less water and 30 percent less energy than standard clothes washers—saving a typical household about $50 peryear in energy costs. ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers incorporate high-quality features for improved performance. Gentler operation, more thorough rinsing, and the removal of more water in the spin cycle make washing clothes easier and help protect fabrics from fading and fraying. Ceiling Fans - ENERGY STAR qualified ceiling fans move air 50 percent more efficiently than conventional fans. This means you'll use less energy to get the same amount of cooling. Qualified ceiling fans with lights can save you even more on energy bills over the life of the fan. Ventilation Fans - ENERGY STAR qualified ventilation fans, like those used in bathrooms, utility rooms, and above cooking areas, use 70 percent less energy than standard models. They also employ high-performance motors and improved blade designs, so they make less noise when operating and provide better performance. 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 ------- |