Watch the video on Energy-Star-Rated Homes.
Consumers today want homes that don't cost an arm and a leg to heat and cool. An energy efficient home cuts down on utility bills while conserving natural resources and contributing to a cozy, comfortable home.
Builders who are new to energy efficiency may be daunted by just how to go about it. The best practice for building energy efficient homes is to follow the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Energy Star program.
Energy-Star-rated 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 use and are typically achieved with a combination of:
- Building envelope upgrades, such as increased insulation in the walls, roof, and foundation.
- High performance windows. If you've ever stood next to an old window in winter and felt drafts, you can imagine how much heat is lost through windows. High performance windows incorporate technologies such as double glazing and low-e coatings to substantially reduce heat loss and gains.
- Advanced air sealing. There are hundreds of penetrations through a typical home's exterior. These gaps and holes include penetrations for wiring, plumbing, and ducts. A home's exterior should be sealed with caulking, and any penetrations like electrical boxes and plumbing pipes should be sealed with expanding sealant.
- Energy efficient heating and air conditioning systems. Heating or cooling a home can account for more than 50% of the home's total energy use. By installing high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment, you can significantly reduce the amount of energy used to heat and cool a home. In addition, systems should be the right size for the home—bigger isn't always better. Oversized equipment is continually going on and off, making noise and ramping up the amount of energy used.
- Tight ductwork. Typically, ducts are so leaky that more than 35% of the conditioned air is lost before it arrives at the room the duct is trying to reach. This means that more than 20% of the energy used to condition the air is wasted. Improved duct performance depends on sealing the seams between the ducts. Duct tape, which is commonly used, does not adequately seal the joints nor does it last very long. UL listed tapes or duct mastic should be used to seal all joints and seams in the ductwork.
The Energy Star label is earned only after the home's energy efficiency is verified, either by an independent third-party such as an accredited home energy rater or Builder Option Package (BOP) verifier, or by adhering to the quality control procedures established for HUD-code manufactured homes .
Any single-family or multi-family residential home that's three or fewer stories in height can qualify to receive the Energy Star label. Traditional site-constructed homes as well as modular, systems-built (e.g., insulated concrete forms, structurally insulated panels), and HUD-code manufactured homes can qualify.
For more information about the Energy Star program, visit www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=new_homes.hm_index.
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