Features
To earn the Energy Star, a home must meet guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes are at least 15% more energy-efficient than homes built to the 2004 IRC and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20–30% more efficient than standard homes.
And with homebuyers increasingly interested in green building, energy efficiency is the place to start. That’s because the energy used in homes often comes from the burning of fossil fuels at power plants, which contributes to smog, acid rain, and risks of global warming. So, the less energy used, the less air pollution generated. And the easy way to make sure a new home is energy efficient is to look for the blue Energy Star mark, the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency. Building green starts with Energy Star blue.
Benefits
Compared with standard homes, Energy Star qualified homes use substantially less energy for heating, cooling, and water heating-delivering $200 to $400 in annual savings. Over the average 7 to 8 years you may live in your home, this adds up to thousands of dollars saved on utility bills. Additional savings on maintenance can also be substantial.
- ADDED CONFIDENCE
- LOWER OWNERSHIP COST
- BETTER PERFORMANCE
- SMART INVESTMENT
- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
What are families saying about their Energy Star homes?
More than 1 million Energy Star qualified homes have been built in the United States. Last year, families living in these homes saved more than $270 million on their utility bills, while avoiding greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 370,000 vehicles.