Energy Star Home
ENERGY STAR qualified homes are independently verified to be at least 30% more energy efficient than homes built to the 1993 national Model Energy Code or 15% more efficient than state energy code, whichever is more rigorous. 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.
These features contribute to improved home quality and homeowner comfort, and to lower energy demand and reduced air pollution. ENERGY STAR also encourages the use of energy-efficient lighting and appliances, as well as features designed to improve indoor air quality.
- Tight Construction (Reduced Air Infiltration)
- Tight Ducts
- Improved Insulation
- High Performance Windows
- Energy Efficient Heating & Cooling Equipment
Energy Efficient Heating & Cooling Equipment
Many ENERGY STAR qualified new homes feature a right-sized approach to high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment. By paying proper attention to air and duct sealing, insulation, and energy-efficient windows during construction, the size of an ENERGY STAR qualified new home's heating and cooling equipment can often be smaller than the equipment needed in a home built to the Model Energy Code.
Heating or cooling a home can account for over 50% of the home's total energy use. You can significantly lower utility bills by choosing equipment carefully. Learn more about these money-saving options by choosing the links below.
Heating a Home
By installing high-efficiency, heating and cooling equipment you can significantly reduce the amount of energy used to heat a home.
Cooling a Home
Properly sizing and installing high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment can significantly reduce the costs of cooling a home.
Right-sized, highly-efficient heating and cooling equipment can offer you:
- Lower utility bills - heating and cooling equipment doesn't "over-work"
- Fewer maintenance problems - heating and cooling equipment consistently runs at its optimal level.
- A quieter home - oversized equipment isn't continually cycling on and off to meet unnecessary heating and cooling demands.
Poor air and duct sealing dictates that typical home heating and cooling equipment be oversized so it can quickly meet the typical home's heating or cooling demand. This oversized equipment 'short-cycles', failing to run long enough to reach its most efficient levels. Moisture problems can result, as the system does not run long enough to properly pull moisture out of the air. Short-cycling also causes the system to run more frequently, which wears the equipment down quickly. By reducing a home's heating and cooling demand through better air and duct sealing, the need for oversized equipment can be avoided.