ENERGY STAR^ and Home Improvement: Resources for Utilities, State Energy Offices, and Efficiency Program Sponsors Atypical U.S. household spends about$2,200 a year on energy bills! Through ENERGY STAR, the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, EPA provides a variety of tools and resources that can help you educate consumers about making their homes more energy efficient, reducing high energy bills, improving comfort, and protecting the environment—whether they are 'do-it-yourselfers' or choose to hire a qualified professional. ENERGY STAR HOME ADVISOR Get Customized Recommendations Get HEATING and COOLING tips from ENERGY STAR HOME ENERGY YARDSTICK ENERGY STAR'S Home Energy Yardstick allows homeowners to compare their energy use to others across the country to help decide if they should take action to improve the efficiency of their home. The Yardstick is also available as 'syndicated content' thatyou can host directly on your web site, www.energystar.gov/yardstick HOME ADVISOR ENERGY STAR'S Home Advisor helps homeowners get specific recommendations on home improvement projects to increase energy efficiency and comfort appropriate for the area where they live. Consider linking to this powerful tool from your own web site. www.energystar.gov/homeadvisor HEATING & COOLING QUIZ. This simple on-line tool asks homeowners five basic questions about their HVAC system to see if it is being properly maintained. Based on their answers, ENERGY STAR provides tips on increasing efficiency through proper maintenance. Consider hosting the Quiz on your own web site. www.energystar.gov/homeimprovement ENERGY STAR @ HOME TOOL This tool allows homeowners to take a room-by-room tour of ENERGY STAR @ home and learn what they can do to save energy, save money, and help protect the environment in their home. www.energystar.gov/home HOME PERFORMANCE WITH ENERGYSTAR DO-IT-YOURSELF GUIDE TO SEALING & INSULATING WITH ENERGY STAR. This Guide offers homeowners step-by-step instructions for sealing common air leaks and adding insulation to their attic to improve the energy efficiency and comfort. Also available in a Spanish Language version. www.energystar.gov/homeimprovement GUIDE TO ENERGY EFFICIENT HEATING & COOLING. This Guide gives homeowners in-depth recommendations that can help them save on their utility bills. It provides tips on system maintenance, help deciding if it's time to replace equipment, tips for working with a contractor, and getting a quality installation. Also available in a Spanish Language version, www.energystar.gov/hvacguide DUCT SEALING BROCHURE. In typical houses, about 20% of the air that moves through the ducts is lost due to leaks, holes, and poor connections. This brochure gives homeowners simple steps they can take to improve duct performance, as well as tips for working with a contractor to get the work done. www.energystar.gov/homeimprovement HOME PERFORMANCE WITH ENERGYSTAR. This program offers a new strategy to home improvement contracting that encourages whole-house energy improvements in existing homes that typically save homeowners 20% or more on their energy bills. Home Performance can be a cost-effective addition to existing energy efficiency program offerings that provides significant energy savings to homeowners, as well as improve the health, comfort, and safety of their homes, www.energystar.gov/hpwessponsors Instructions for hosting online tools are available on the ENERGY STAR Web site www.energystar.gov; and hard copies of guides and brochures can be ordered free-of-charge atwww.energystar.gov/publications. ENERGY STAR®, sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, helps us all save money and protect our environment. Learn more at www.energystar.gov. WHAT'S YOUR SCORE? ENERGYSTAR ------- |