Home builders and home buyers across the country are increasingly interested in green building and energy star efficient homes.
Typical features to look for in ENERGY STAR qualified homes include:
- An Efficient Home Envelope, with effective levels of wall, floor and attic insulation properly installed, comprehensive air barrier details, and high-performance windows
- * Efficient Air Distribution, where ducts are installed with minimum air leakage and are effectively insulated
- Efficient Equipment for heating, cooling, and water heating
- Efficient Lighting, including fixtures that earn the ENERGY STAR
- Efficient Appliances, including ENERGY STAR qualified dishwashers, refrigerators, and clothes washers.
What comes after energy efficiency?
Homebuyers can also look for the Indoor airPLUS label — a new specification developed by EPA to address the indoor environment component of green building. Homes that achieve this level of excellence are first qualified as ENERGY STAR, and then also incorporate more than 60 additional home design and construction features to control moisture, chemical exposure, radon, pests, ventilation, and filtration. Together, these features help protect qualified homes and their residents from mold, chemicals, combustion gases, and other airborne pollutants.
Completing the green home picture
Through ENERGY STAR qualified homes and the Indoor airPLUS Program, homebuyers can address two critical green home elements. Then, look to the wide variety of available green home programs to complete the picture with water-efficient products, renewable energy technologies, waste reduction, recycling, and sustainable land development practices.
Savings for Home Owners
These energy efficiency improvements save homeowners money — sometimes unbelievable amounts of money. More importantly, monthly energy savings can easily exceed any additional mortgage cost for the energy efficiency improvements, resulting in a positive cash flow from the first day of home ownership. As a result, the cost-effectiveness of ENERGY STAR improvements can help offset additional costs associated with other green home features.
ENERGY STAR qualified homes are independently verified to meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes save money on utility bills, provide a more comfortable living environment with better indoor air quality, and help protect the environment.