ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Requirements for Energy Efficiency Program Sponsors 1

ENERGY STAR® Certified Homes Program Requirements for Energy Efficiency Program Sponsors 

Partner Commitments

Eligible Organizations:

Utilities; national, regional, state, or local government entities; or other organizations involved in coordinating 

and/or administering an energy-efficiency program that promotes ENERGY STAR certified homes. 

Intent

The ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Program seeks to transform the residential new construction market by

encouraging stakeholders to adopt more energy efficient building practices and by raising consumer 

awareness about energy efficient homes. Organizations such as utilities and local governments are

increasingly looking to implement energy efficiency programs to meet regulatory obligations, reduce peak 

demand, and contribute to environmental protection. These organizations can partner with the ENERGY 

STAR Certified Homes Program as Energy Efficiency Program Sponsors (EEPS) to work towards meeting 

their goals. 

Participating EEPS use the ENERGY STAR platform in designing and implementing energy efficiency 

programs for their markets. EEPS that successfully implement ENERGY STAR Certified Homes programs in 

their markets typically incorporate the following program elements: 

 Design approaches that are based on the local housing market and unique program goals and reflect 

the most important regional factors for program success;

 Marketing strategies that increase awareness of ENERGY STAR Certified Homes;

 Training sessions to help stakeholders be successful program participants;

 Strategic incentive structures that help to offset upgrade costs and encourage participation;

 Outreach approaches that create strong relationships with stakeholders, communicate procedures and 

expectations, and share important program information;

 Quality assurance protocols to ensure the integrity of the ENERGY STAR label and the EEPS’ 

program; and

 Measurement and evaluation processes to assess progress and attainment of goals and facilitate 

continuous improvement in the implementation of the program.

For more specific program design recommendations, visit: www.energystar.gov/newhomessponsors.

Commitment

The following are the terms of the ENERGY STAR Partnership Agreement as it pertains to ENERGY STAR 

Certified Homes EEPS. The ENERGY STAR Partner must adhere to the following program requirements to 

maintain its partnership:

Specific Requirements

For EEPS offering financial incentives:

 EEPS partners shall maintain an active status with the ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Program by

directly incentivizing ENERGY STAR certification in a manner appropriate for the market and/or 

providing ENERGY STAR-related training for local stakeholders – i.e., builders, Home Energy Raters, 

HVAC contractors, real estate professionals, etc. – and raising consumer awareness through marketing 

and education.

 EEPS partners who seek to use “ENERGY STAR” in their program name must obtain approval from EPA 

by contacting energystarhomes@energystar.gov. EPA will only grant approval if the program offers at 

OMB Control No. 2060-0586
ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Requirements for Energy Efficiency Program Sponsors 2

least one tier that requires and incentivizes ENERGY STAR certification. ENERGY STAR does not need 

to be mandatory for ALL incentive eligibility. 

For EEPS not offering financial incentives:

 EEPS partners shall maintain an active status with the ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Program by

providing ENERGY STAR-related training for local stakeholders – i.e., builders, Home Energy Raters, 

HVAC contractors, real estate professionals, etc. – and/or raising consumer awareness through 

marketing and education. 

 EEPS partners who seek to use “ENERGY STAR” in their program name must obtain approval from EPA 

by contacting energystarhomes@energystar.gov. EPA will only grant approval if the program

demonstrates that they conduct marketing, education, and outreach activities tied to ENERGY STAR 

Certified Homes. 

General Requirements for Partners

 This agreement is voluntary and can be terminated by either party at any time for any reason, with no 

penalty.

 Partners will assume good faith as a general principle for resolving conflicts that may arise in relation to 

their program partnership and will seek to resolve all matters to preserve maximum public confidence in 

ENERGY STAR.

 Partners shall not construe, claim, or imply that participation in ENERGY STAR constitutes federal 

government approval, acceptance, or endorsement of anything other than partners’ participation in the 

ENERGY STAR program. Partnership does not constitute federal government endorsement of the 

partner.

 Partners shall use the ENERGY STAR Certified Homes program in a manner consistent with the national 

ENERGY STAR efforts as a platform to promote highly efficient new homes that meet or exceed the 

ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Program’s specifications; 

 Partners will adhere to the ENERGY STAR Identity (Logo Use) Guidelines and ensure that authorized 

representatives, such as program implementers, contractors, and advertising companies, also comply.

 ENERGY STAR will actively pursue misuse of the ENERGY STAR name and logos. In cases where an 

organization is found to be in severe violation of the federal ENERGY STAR trademark, EPA may refer 

the matter to the U.S. Department of Justice for consideration of civil or criminal penalties.

 Partners must respond to annual inquiries from EPA regarding information on the ENERGY STAR EEPS

partner’s program to maintain an active partnership with EPA.

 Partners will keep their My ENERGY STAR Account (MESA) up-to-date, including updating contact 

information when a change in designated responsible parties occurs and adding additional relevant 

contacts (i.e., program implementers) as necessary to ensure that the appropriate contacts are receiving 

ENERGY STAR communications.

 EPA strongly recommends that EEPS partners submit any mass market promotional efforts (for 

example, multi-media marketing campaigns) that feature ENERGY STAR for review prior to final 

production or printing. EPA will review materials for consistency with the ENERGY STAR Identity (Logo 

Use) Guidelines. EPA will strive to provide feedback within two (2) business days of receipt of materials. 

Large scale efforts may require a longer review. Materials for review should be submitted to 

energystarhomes@energystar.gov.

 Failure to comply with any of the terms of the ENERGY STAR Partnership Agreement can result in 

termination of the organization’s partnership and its access to program benefits, including use of the 

ENERGY STAR logo.

EPA Form 5900-272

The government estimates the average time needed to fill out this form is 0.25 hours and welcomes suggestions for reducing this effort. Send comments (referencing OMB Control 

Number) to the Director, Collection Strategies Division, U.S. EPA (2822T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20460.