ENERGY STAR®
QUALIFIED HOMES
Assured Performance inEvery Qualified Home“ENERGY STAR was a smart choice for our firsthome. It’s not just about the savings. We like that ourhome was built with cutting-edge technology andthe environment in mind. Protecting the environmentis important to us—and thisgave us an opportunity to be partof the solution.”—Leona Fisher and Will Sankhla
Fontana, CA

DISCOVER THE ENERGY STARDIFFERENCE
Buying a new home is one of the biggest purchases you’ll ever make.
By choosing one that has earned the government’s trusted ENERGY STARlabel, you can have the house of your dreams and enjoy peace of mind
knowing it’s been built to meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by theU.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
With ENERGY STAR, you know you’re making the rightdecision—for your wallet, for your family, and for theenvironment—bringing these important benefits:

EVERY ENERGY STAR
HOME FEATURES;*• 	 Lower Utility Bills

1. 	A Complete Thermal
Enclosure System	By using less energy for heating, cooling, andwater heating, ENERGY STAR qualified homes
deliver approximately 20% savings on annual utility
bills. Over the 7 to 8 years that a typical family lives
in a home, you can save thousands of dollars inmaintenance cost.

• 	Enhanced Performance	In ENERGY STAR qualified homes, comfort is ensured
with consistent temperatures between and acrossrooms; indoor air quality is enhanced by reducing
dust, pollen, bugs, and excessive humidity; anddurability is improved with comprehensive water
protection, windows that block damaging sunlight,
and better grade equipment.

• 	 Environmental Protection2. 	A Complete Heatingand Cooling System3. 	A Complete Water
Management System
4. 	Energy-EfficientLighting andAppliances
5. Third-Party Verification*These features refer to homes
using ENERGY STAR for Homes
Version 3 guidelines. Until
January 2012, builders may
use prior versions of the ENERGYSTAR guidelines. Ask your builder
for more information.	The energy used in our homes often comes from the burning of fossil
fuels at power plants. So, by using less energy to operate, ENERGY STAR
qualified homes help to prevent air pollution—an added benefit for today’senvironmentally-conscious consumer looking for “green” choices.

1. A COMPLETE THERMALENCLOSURE SYSTEM
Comprehensive air sealing,properly installed insulation,and high-performancewindows work together toenhance comfort, improve
durability, reduce maintenancecosts, and lower monthly
utility bills.
• 	 Air Sealing	An average home contains a half-mile of cracks and gaps aroundwindows and doors—along with hundreds of holes for pipes, ventilation
ducts, lighting, and wiring. Sealing these cracks and holes helps reducedrafts, moisture, dust, pollen, pests, and noise. A tightly sealed homeimproves comfort and indoor air quality while reducing utility bills.

• 	 Properly Installed Insulation	It’s not the amount of insulation; it’s the quality of installation thatmakes all the difference. Proper installation includes carefulplacement to eliminate gaps, voids, and compression; complete airbarriers that prevent air from bypassing the insulation; and building
techniques that minimize heat flow through framing. This ensuresconsistent temperatures throughout the house, reduced energy use,and increased comfort.

• 	 High-Performance Windows	Advanced technologies, like protective coatings and improved frames,
help keep heat in during winter and out during summer. They also block
damaging ultraviolet sunlight that can discolor carpets and furnishings.

2. A COMPLETE HEATING AND
COOLING SYSTEM
High-efficiency systems areengineered and installed todeliver more comfort, better
moisture control, improved
indoor air quality, and quieter
operation.

• 	 Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment	Look for higher efficiency equipment that delivers premium
performance. This equipment uses less energy, operates at reduced
noise levels, and often comes with extended warranty coverage.

• 	 Proper Design and Quality Installation Practices	The heating and cooling systems in ENERGY STAR qualified homes
are fully engineered and tested, including sizing of equipment andducts, sealing and testing ductwork, verifying proper refrigerant
charge (for central air conditioners and heat pumps), and ensuring
room-by-room air flow. This is all done in accordance with bestpractices established by the leading industry association andequipment manufacturers.

• 	 Whole-House Mechanical Ventilation	The living space in ENERGY STAR qualified homes has a constantsource of fresh, filtered air to remove pollutants from your home.

3. A COMPLETE WATERMANAGEMENT SYSTEM
A comprehensive packageof best building practices
and materials protects roofs,walls, and foundations fromwater damage and helps
ensure durability and superiorindoor air quality.

• 	 Water-Managed Construction Details
	Tried-and-true building practices, such as flashing, moisturebarriers, and heavy-duty membranes, are employed to effectively
drain water from the roofs, walls, and foundations of ENERGY STAR
qualified homes.

• 	 Building Materials	Proper storage and selection of materials helps prevent water- andmold-damaged materials in ENERGY STAR qualified homes.

“Choosing an ENERGY STAR home has made asignificant difference for us. Our first electric bill was
extremely low—we love the savings! And knowingthat we have a safe, energy-efficient home we canlive in for years is so comforting.”—The Costa Family, Dallas, TX

“We’re dedicated to building energy-efficient homes
so that families who choose our homes not only
save money on their utility bills, but also enjoy thecomfort and durability of a home built to suchhigh standards.”—WGB Construction Company, South Grafton, MA4. ENERGY-EFFICIENT LIGHTING
AND APPLIANCESENERGY STAR qualified lighting, appliances, and fans can befound throughout an ENERGY STAR home, helping to reduce
monthly utility bills, while providing high-quality performance.
•	A
 dvanced Lighting	ENERGY STAR qualified fixtures and bulbs come in many shapesand sizes. This gives home buyers a wide range of lighting
choices that allow them to create the atmosphere they want for
their homes. ENERGY STAR lighting offers significant cost savingsand longer lifetimes than standard products.

• 	 ENERGY STAR Qualified Appliances	Household appliances account for nearly 20 percent of energy
use in an average house. A comprehensive package of ENERGYSTAR qualified appliances can reduce energy costs, while
offering improved performance, quality, and durability. ENERGYSTAR qualified homes often include ENERGY STAR qualified
dishwashers, refrigerators, washing machines, ceiling fans,and ventilation fans.

"We have noticed substantial savings, not only in our utilitybills, but in our overall energy consumption. This is due tothe added benefits of having ENERGYSTAR appliances, effective insulation,and high-performance, energyefficient windows."—The Orrock Family
Las Vegas, NV5. THIRD-PARTYVERIFICATION• 	Climate-Specific Recommendations	For a home to be truly energy efficient, its design and construction
must consider local conditions. Home Energy Raters are trained inclimate-specific energy saving techniques, and their knowledge andfield experience help ENERGY STAR builder partners select the mostappropriate energy-efficient features.

• 	 Field Verification	Raters conduct onsite inspections and testingof ENERGY STAR qualified homes to ensure
they meet rigorous program guidelines. The
process typically includes a blower door test
to measure air leakage in the house, a duct
blaster test to measure duct leakage, and acomprehensive set of inspections to assure
proper construction details.

• 	 Quality Assurance	Homes that earn the ENERGY STAR typically undergo significantly
more systems engineering, inspections, and testing than homes built tocode. This verification process helps to identify and correct mistakes
before they become problems and holds builders accountable to higherstandards.

• 	 Peace of Mind That Comes with Making a Smart PurchaseLook for the blue ENERGY STAR label—typically locatedon a home’s circuit breaker box. It assures you that thehome has been verified by an independent Home Energy
Rater to be truly energy efficient.

JOIN THE ENERGY STARHOMES FAMILY
More than 1 million families across the country areliving in ENERGY STAR qualified homes. Together, thesehomeowners saved more than $270 million last year on
their utility bills, while avoiding greenhouse gas emissions
equivalent to those from 370,000 vehicles. By choosing
ENERGY STAR for your new home, you’ll join the growing
number of families enjoying a better home with lower
ownership costs.

ENERGY STAR was introduced by theU.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992
as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reducegreenhouse gas emissions through increased energy
efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses andconsumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy,
save money, and help protect the environment forfuture generations. More than 17,000 organizations areENERGY STAR partners, committed to improving energy
efficiency in homes, products, and businesses.

ENERGY STAR qualified homes must
be verified by an independent Home
Learn more, visit energystar.gov
Energy Rating System (HERS) rater

who conducts a comprehensive seriesof detailed inspections and uses
specialized diagnostic equipment totest system performance.

United States Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Air and Radiation (6202J)
EPA 430-F10-001