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What is Energy Star®
ENERGY STAR ® is a
voluntary government program that gives people the power to reduce air
pollution and greenhouse gases through energy efficiency. New homes earn the
ENERGY STAR by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ENERGY STAR® qualified new homes are at least 30% more
energy-efficient than homes built to the national energy code. Even in states
with more rigorous energy codes, the U.S. EPA ensures that
ENERGY STAR remains the symbol for
truly energy-efficient performance. These homes are good for businesses,
consumers, and the environment.
These
savings are based on heating, cooling, and hot water energy use and are
typically achieved through a combination of:
- building envelope upgrades,
- high performance windows,
- controlled air infiltration,
- upgraded heating and air conditioning systems,
- tight duct systems and
- upgraded water-heating equipment.
Benefits of owning an
ENERGY STAR qualified new home include:
A Label Backed by the
Government –
All ENERGY STAR qualified new homes are certified to
meet EPA’s strict guidelines for energy efficiency. This exemplary performance
is verified by an independent third party.
Lower Utility Costs
– Compared with standard homes, ENERGY STAR qualified new homes use
substantially less energy for heating, cooling, and hot water heating.
Homeowners can expect to save about $200-$400 annually on their utility bills.
More Comfortable/Quieter
Homes – The
energy-efficient features of ENERGY STAR qualified new homes keep out
excessive heat, cold, and noise, and ensure consistent temperatures between and
across rooms—making these homes more comfortable to live in.
Helping to Create a
Better Future
– By purchasing an ENERGY STAR qualified new home, you are
joining millions of consumers who have changed to
ENERGY STAR, helping our nation
reduce our energy needs and building a cleaner environment for the future.
Features of an ENERGY STAR
qualified new home include:
Increased Insulation
– Improved and effective use of insulation helps achieve even temperatures
throughout the house while using less energy. The result is lower utility costs
and a quieter, more comfortable home.
High-performance Windows
– High-performance windows help keep heat in during winter and out during
summer. They also block damaging ultraviolet sunlight that can discolor carpets
and furniture.
Tight Construction and
Tight Ducts –
Tight ducts and tight construction help eliminate drafts, moisture, dust, pests,
and pollen. This improves comfort and the quality of indoor air, while lowering
maintenance costs.
Energy-efficient Heating
and Cooling Equipment
– More efficient and properly installed heating and cooling systems use less
energy, which reduces utility bills. These systems also turn on and off less
frequently, removing more humidity and providing better comfort.
For
more information on how to qualify your homes for the ENERGY STAR label
contact us
MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ENERGY STAR program:
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Envelope 2,3,4 |
Completed Thermal Bypass Inspection Checklist |
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Ductwork 5,6 |
Leakage ≤ 6 cfm to outdoors / 100 sq. ft. |
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ENERGY STAR Products 13,14 |
Include at least one ENERGY STAR qualified
product category:
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Heating or cooling equipment 7; OR
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Windows 8; OR
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Five or more ENERGY STAR qualified light
fixtures 9,10, appliances 11, ceiling fans equipped with
lighting fixtures, and/or ventilation fans 12
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ENERGY STAR Scoring Exceptions |
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On-site power generation may not be used
to decrease the HERS Index to qualify forENERGY STAR.
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A maximum of 20% of all screw-in light
bulb sockets in the home may use compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)
to decrease the HERS Index for ENERGY STAR compliance.
CFLs used for this purpose must be ENERGY STAR qualified.
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The appropriate climate zone for each
building site shall be determined by the 2004 International
Residential Code (IRC), Table N1101.2. The HERS Index must be
calculated in accordance with the RESNET Mortgage Industry
National Home Energy Rating Standards.
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The Thermal Bypass Inspection Checklist
must be completed for homes to earn the ENERGY STAR label. The
Checklist requires visual inspection of framing areas where air
barriers are commonly missed and inspection of insulation to
ensure proper alignment with air barriers, thus serving as an
extra check that the air and thermal barriers are continuous and
complete.
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Envelope leakage must be determined by a
RESNET-certified rater using a RESNET-approved testing protocol.
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To ensure consistent exchange of indoor
air, whole-house mechanical ventilation is recommended, but not
required.
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Ducts must be sealed and tested to be ≤ 6
cfm to outdoors / 100 sq. ft. of conditioned floor area, as
determined and documented by a RESNET-certified rater using a
RESNET-approved testing protocol. If total duct leakage is < 6
cfm to outdoors / 100 sq.ft. of conditioned floor area, then
leakage to outdoors does not need to be tested. Duct leakage
testing can be waived if all ducts and air handling equipment
are located in conditioned space (i.e., within the home’s air
and thermal barriers) AND the envelope leakage has been tested
to be ≤ 3 ACH50 OR ≤ 0.25 CFM 50 per sq. ft. of the building
envelope. Note that mechanical ventilation will be required in
this situation.
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EPA recommends, but does not require,
locating ducts within conditioned space (i.e., inside the air
and thermal barriers), and using a minimum of R-4 insulation for
ducts inside conditioned space to prevent condensation.
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All cooling equipment, regardless of
whether it is used to satisfy the ENERGY STAR products
requirement, must be sized according to the latest editions of
ACCA Manuals J and S, ASHRAE 2001 Handbook of Fundamentals, or
an equivalent computation procedure. Maximum oversizing limit
for air conditioners and heat pumps is 15% (with the exception
of heat pumps in Climate Zones 5 - 8, where the maximum
oversizing limit is 25%). This can be accomplished either by the
rater performing the calculations or reviewing documentation
provided by the professional contractor or engineer who
calculated the sizing (e.g., HVAC contractor). In specifying
equipment, the next available size may be used. In addition,
indoor and outdoor coils shall be matched in accordance with ARI
standards.
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Where windows are used to meet the ENERGY
STAR qualified product requirement, they shall be ENERGY STAR
qualified or meet all specifications for ENERGY STAR qualified
windows. Additional information can be found at
www.energystar.gov/window
For the purposes of meeting the ENERGY
STAR requirement, qualified lighting fixtures in the following
locations cannot be counted: storage rooms (e.g., closets,
pantries, sheds), or garages.
Efficient lighting fixtures represent a
significant opportunity for persistent energy savings and a
meaningful way to differentiate ENERGY STAR qualified homes from
those meeting minimum code requirements. In 2008, EPA intends to
propose and solicit industry comments on adding the ENERGY STAR
Advanced Lighting Package (ALP) as an additional requirement for
ENERGY STAR qualified homes in 2009. To learn more about the
ALP, refer to
www.energystar.gov/homes
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Eligible appliances include ENERGY STAR
qualified refrigerators, dish washers, and washing machines.
ENERGY STAR qualified ventilation fans
include range hood, bathroom, and inline fans.
Further efficiency and savings can be
achieved by installing ENERGY STAR qualified products, in
addition to those required (e.g., additional lighting,
appliances, etc.). For more information, visit
www.energystar.gov
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In homes with heat
pumps that have programmable thermostats, the thermostat must
have "Adaptive Recovery" technology to prevent the excessive use
of electric back-up heating.
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Learn more about ENERGY
STAR qualified new homes at
http://www.energystar.gov/.
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