ENERGY STAR® QUALIFIED NEW HOMES THE BASICS III Homes that earn EPA's ENERGY STAR incorporate energy savings in design and construction so they are significantly more efficient than standard homes. By choosing an ENERGY STAR qualified home, homeowners can be assured that their homes are truly energy efficient. ¦ ENERGY STAR qualified homes must be at least 30 percent more efficient than the national Model Energy Code for homes or 15 percent more efficient than the state energy code, whichever is more rigorous. ¦ Builders select from a variety of features to achieve an ENERGY STAR qualified home, such as: • Properly installed insulation: Improves comfort and reduces utility bills. • High performance windows: Keep heat out during summer and in during winter. • Tight construction and tight ducts: Reduce drafts, moisture, dust, pollen, pests, and noise, while lowering utility and maintenance costs. • Energy-efficient, properly installed heating and cooling equipment: Reduces utility bills and provides more consistent temperatures throughout the home. ¦I To date, over 2,000 builders have constructed more than 250,000 ENERGY STAR qualified homes in all 50 states. Twenty-four of the nation's 25 largest builders are ENERGY STAR partners. ¦I While other builders claim their homes are energy efficient, ENERGY STAR partners prove it by using third-party home energy raters to verify the energy performance of the home. THE BENEFITS ¦ The construction, insulation, and heating and cooling equipment found in ENERGY STAR qualified homes add comfort by keeping out excessive heat, cold, and noise and by ensuring consistent temperatures across rooms. ¦ People living in ENERGY STAR qualified homes breathe more easily because their homes are built to reduce indoor pollutants that contribute to allergies and asthma. ¦ The benefits of an ENERGY STAR qualified home go beyond its four walls. Fifteen percent of all greenhouse gases are generated from the energy used in houses nationwide. In fact, a home can be a greater source of pollution than the average car. ENERGY STAR qualified homes consume less energy, so homeowners help protect the environment while saving money. ¦ Just one ENERGY STAR qualified home can keep 4,500 pounds of greenhouse gases out of our air each year. HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY SOLUTIONS WITH ENERGY STAR ¦ ENERGY STAR is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency. ¦ The ENERGY STAR label helps consumers identify new homes and products that are energy efficient and also offer the features, quality, and personal comfort today's consumers expect. Products that can earn the ENERGY STAR include appliances, lighting, home office equipment, windows, consumer electronics, and heating and cooling equipment. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT THROUGH SUPERIOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY, VISIT www.energystar.gov RUN DATE: October/November 2004 PUBLICATION: Indianapolis New Homes Guide SIZE: 2 Page spread TITLE: ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes-EPA/Smiling Expectant Couple BUYING A NEW HOME IS REASON TO CELEBRATE. SO IS PROTECTING THE PLANET HELP YOURSELF AND THE ENVIRONMENT WHEN YOU BUY AN ENERGY STAR QUALIFIED HOME. ENERGY STAR qualified homes meet EPA's strict guidelines for energy efficiency. These homes provide greater comfort and durability while lowering utility costs. Energy efficiency also protects the environment by significantly reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. Learn more. Visit www.energystar.gov ENERGY STAR ------- |