ENERGY STARŪ for Homes

ENERGY STAR Program Overview

Benefits of an ENERGY STAR Home

The ENERGY STAR for homes program was developed by the EPA and DOE's ENERGY STAR program to promote the move to energy efficient and sustinable residential buildings. The program leverages the highly recognizable ENERGY STAR name and logo as a promotional tool for homes that are at least 15% more efficient than code built homes as verified by independent 3rd party Home Energy Raters.

Qualified homes include the following features:

  1. Effective Insulation in floors, walls, and attics for increased comfort
  2. High Performance Windows which keep warm air in the home during the winter and block unwanted summer heat rays
  3. Tight Construction and Ducts which reduce drafts, indoor air pollutants and increase comfort
  4. Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment which lower utility costs year round
  5. Efficient Products including ENERGY STAR Labeled refrigerators, dishwashers, fans, and more
  6. Third Party Verification which assures homeowners that all ENERGY STAR features are properly installed

ENERGY STAR Benfits for Builders

As an ENERGY STAR builder, you can use the government-backed ENERGY STAR label to differentiate your homes for their energy efficiency, quality, and reliability with a name that consumers trust. In addition, your sales department can use ENERGY STAR promotional materials to highlight the energy efficient features of your homes and to attract new customers. Some benefits of ENERGY STAR Homes are:

  1. Confidence - Because of the inclusion of high quality heating, cooling, and water heating equipment and the 3rd party review of the home, consumers have more confidence that the home they are buying will be more comfortable and long lasting.
  2. Reduced Utility Bills - The energy efficient features of the home will guarantee that homeowners pay $200 to $400 less for utilities each year than if they bought a standard home.
  3. Building Performance - Consumers don't have to worry about inexplainable cold drafts or 2nd floor rooms which won't stay cool in the summer because of enhanced thermal envelope design.
  4. Selling Power - As the ENERGY STAR program passes its 1 million mark, homeowners can be sure that when they choose to sell their home will be competitive with other homes.
  5. Helping the Environment - As the demand increases for us to reduce our energy usage, purchasing an energy efficient home is one way to do our part without altering your lifestyle.

Program Requirements

**PLEASE NOTE THAT ENERGY STAR VERSION 3.0 GUIDELINES ARE NOW AVAILABLE AND WILL TAKE FULL EFFECT FOR ALL BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED AFTER 1/1/12. FOR VERSION 2.0 REQUIREMENTS PLEASE SEE BELOW.**

For a complete list of the ENERGY STAR Version 2.0 requirements please visit here; however, below is a simplified list of program requirements which must be verified by a 3rd party HERS Rater:

  1. HERS Rating of 85 or lower as verified by use of an approved HERS Rating Software
  2. Envelope Leakage Test (Blower Door Test) of <=6.0 ACH50
  3. Duct Leakage to Outside Test of <= 6CFM25 per 100ft^2 of conditioned space
  4. Completion of the ENERGY STAR Thermal Bypass Checklist (TBC)
  5. Inclusion of at minimum 1 ENERGY STAR Qualified product category in the home. Eligible Product Categories are:
    1. Windows
    2. Heating or Cooling Equipment including Furnaces, Air Conditioners or Heat Pumps and Geothermal Heat Pumps
    3. Water Heating Equipment
    4. 5 or More ENERGY STAR Qualified Light Fixtures, Appliances, Ceiling Fans, or Ventilation Products

The ENERGY STAR for Homes Process

Step 1 - Plan Review

BOP Plan Review for ENERGY STAR Performance Path

Atlas works with the architects, engineers, and builders of ENERGY STAR homes in the planning stages to verify that the building design will meet the minimum program requirements. This includes:

  1. Modeling the Home for Energy Usage and to determine the Projected HERS Rating
  2. Reviewing Specifications for Compliance with ENERGY STAR Requirements
  3. Creating a Detailed Plan and Schedule for the Inspection Process

Step 2 - Pre-Drywall Inspection

Pre Drywall Inspection for ENERGY STAR Homes

Pre-drywall Inspection

The Pre-drywall inspection occurs after mechanical and electrical rough ins and after insulation is installed. At this stage, the following items are checked:

  1. Total Duct Leakage
  2. Numerous Thermal Bypass Checklist Items

Step 3 - Close Out Inspection

A Blower Door Set up for a Final Inspection for the ENERGY STAR Homes Program

Blower Door Testing
at Final Inspection

Final inspection occurs after all mechanical equipment and appliances are installed, attic insulation is installed, and drywall and floors are finished. Inspection items include:

  1. Envelope Leakage Test Using a Blower Door System
  2. Total Duct Leakage to Outside
  3. Remaining Thermal Bypass Checklist Items
  4. Mechancical Equipment Model Numbers

Step 4 - Issuing the ENERGY STAR Label

The ENERGY STAR for Homes Electrical Panel Label

ENERGY STAR Electrical
Panel Label

Following the final inspection, the ENERGY STAR label is issued for the home. Issuance of the label includes:

  1. A Sticker for the Home's Electrical Panel
  2. An ENERGY STAR Paper Certificate for the Builder
  3. A HERS Rating Certificate for the Builder

Become an ENERGY STAR Builder Today!

Atlas Home Energy provides all plan review, inspection, and labeling services required to qualify homes for the ENERGY STAR label. Contact Us to become a partner today!

If you would like to learn more about the partnership process from ENERGY STAR click here.

Green Living Tip

**"Each ENERGY STAR qualified home can keep 4,500lbs of greenhouse gases out of our air each year. And Because our homes have such a long life-span, this environmental benefit lasts for many many years." - ENERGY STAR**