New Homes

EPA 430-F-03-023 April 2004 

U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency 
"I would recommend ENERGY STAR to anyone looking to 

buy a new home. If this house weren't ENERGY STAR 

rated, I wouldn't have bought it." 

David Vidal, Homeowner 

Las Vegas, NV 

“Our subcontractors send their best crews because they 

know their work will be inspected.” 

Astoria Homes, Las Vegas, NV 

ENERGY STAR Builder Partner 

“The expense of heating and cooling a home is a major 

part of the cost of home ownership. By participating in 

the ENERGY STAR Program, we’ve drastically lowered 

this expense and been able to deliver what homebuyers 

really want—affordable value.” 

Michael B. Davis, President, Davis Homes 

ENERGY STAR Builder Partner 

Indianapolis, IN 

“Our ENERGY STAR home met so many needs. We 

wanted lots of light, a tight house, and low cooling bills. 

We got exactly that—ENERGY STAR really does work!” 

Sam and Churice Westbrook, Homeowners 

Avondale, AZ 

“My biggest selling point for buying an ENERGY STAR 

home was resale value. I would highly recommend 

ENERGY STAR to anyone because it will definitely save 

them money in the long run.” 

Barry Ellison, Homeowner/Architect 

Las Vegas, NV 

“As consumers become more educated and familiar with 

all of these benefits that energy efficiency has to offer, 

in 5 years non-ENERGY STAR rated homes will become 

functionally obsolete.” 

Karl Sayles, Darty Appraisal Service 

Melrose, FL 
WHAT IS 

ENERGY STAR®? 

ENERGY STAR is the government-backed symbol for 

energy efficiency. It identifies new homes and more than 

40 types of products that are energy efficient and offer 

the features, quality, and personal comfort that today’s 

consumers expect. Products that can earn the ENERGY 

STAR include appliances, lighting, home office equipment, 

consumer electronics, and heating and cooling equipment. 

The ENERGY STAR label on a new home means that it 

is significantly more efficient than a standard home. By 

purchasing an ENERGY STAR qualified home, you can 

have all the features you desire in your new home, plus 

lower utility bills. And you will help reduce air pollution. 

ENERGY STAR is a voluntary partnership between the 

government and more than 7,000 organizations, including 

more than 2,500 of the nation’s home builders. Together 

with home buyers and their families, we are working to 

achieve a common goal—protecting the environment for 

future generations by changing to more energy-efficient 

practices today. 

It’s our future. Together, we can make a change for 

the better. In 2004, Americans with the help of ENERGY 

STAR saved enough energy to power 24 million homes 

and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 

those from 20 million vehicles, while saving about 

$10 billion in energy costs. 

HOW DO HOMES QUALIFY AS 

ENERGY STAR? 

Homes that earn the ENERGY STAR are significantly more 

efficient than standard homes.1 ENERGY STAR home 

builders achieve this high efficiency for you by selecting 

from a variety of features: 

EFFECTIVE INSULATION 

Properly installed insulation in floors, walls, and attics 

ensures even temperatures throughout the house, while 

using less energy. The result is lower utility costs and a 

quieter, more comfortable home. 

HIGH-PERFORMANCE WINDOWS 

Windows with advanced coatings and construction help 

keep heat in during winter and out during summer. They also 

block damaging ultraviolet sunlight that can discolor carpets 

and furnishings. 

TIGHT CONSTRUCTION AND TIGHT DUCTS 

Advanced techniques for sealing holes and cracks in the 

home’s “envelope” and in the heating and cooling ducts 

help reduce drafts, moisture, dust, pollen, pests, and noise. 

A more tightly sealed home improves comfort and indoor air 

quality, while lowering utility and maintenance costs. 

MORE EFFICIENT HEATING AND 

COOLING EQUIPMENT 

Energy-efficient, properly installed heating and cooling 

systems use less energy, which reduces utility bills. You can 

expect higher quality and greater durability backed by 

longer warranties now available on many models. 

INDEPENDENT TESTING 

While it's easy to claim that homes are energy efficient, 

ENERGY STAR partners back that up with a third-party 

inspection verifying the energy performance of your home. 

1 Homes that earn the ENERGY STAR are at least 15% more 

efficient than homes built to the International Energy 

Conservation Code (IECC), depending on the region of the country. 
WHAT IS

ENERGY STAR®?

ENERGY STAR is the government-backed symbol for

energy efficiency. It identifies new homes and more than

40 types of products that are energy efficient and offer

the features, quality, and personal comfort that today’s

consumers expect. Products that can earn the ENERGY

STAR include appliances, lighting, home office equipment,

consumer electronics, and heating and cooling equipment.

The ENERGY STAR label on a new home means that it 

is significantly more efficient than a standard home. By

purchasing an ENERGY STAR qualified home, you can

have all the features you desire in your new home, plus

lower utility bills. And you will help reduce air pollution. 

ENERGY STAR is a voluntary partnership between the

government and more than 7,000 organizations, including

more than 2,500 of the nation’s home builders. Together

with home buyers and their families, we are working to

achieve a common goal—protecting the environment for

future generations by changing to more energy-efficient

practices today. 

It’s our future. Together, we can make a change for 

the better. In 2004, Americans with the help of ENERGY

STAR saved enough energy to power 24 million homes

and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to

those from 20 million vehicles, while saving about 

$10 billion in energy costs.

HOW DO HOMES QUALIFY AS

ENERGY STAR?

Homes that earn the ENERGY STAR are significantly more

efficient than standard homes.1 ENERGY STAR home

builders achieve this high efficiency for you by selecting

from a variety of features:

EFFECTIVE INSULATION

Properly installed insulation in floors, walls, and attics

ensures even temperatures throughout the house, while

using less energy. The result is lower utility costs and a

quieter, more comfortable home.

HIGH-PERFORMANCE WINDOWS

Windows with advanced coatings and construction help

keep heat in during winter and out during summer. They also

block damaging ultraviolet sunlight that can discolor carpets

and furnishings.

TIGHT CONSTRUCTION AND TIGHT DUCTS

Advanced techniques for sealing holes and cracks in the

home’s “envelope” and in the heating and cooling ducts

help reduce drafts, moisture, dust, pollen, pests, and noise.

A more tightly sealed home improves comfort and indoor air

quality, while lowering utility and maintenance costs.

MORE EFFICIENT HEATING AND 

COOLING EQUIPMENT

Energy-efficient, properly installed heating and cooling

systems use less energy, which reduces utility bills. You can

expect higher quality and greater durability backed by

longer warranties now available on many models.

INDEPENDENT TESTING

While it's easy to claim that homes are energy efficient,

ENERGY STAR partners back that up with a third-party

inspection verifying the energy performance of your home.

1 Homes that earn the ENERGY STAR are at least 15% more

efficient than homes built to the International Energy

Conservation Code (IECC), depending on the region of the country. 
UNITED STATES 

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 6202J 

WASHINGTON DC 20460 

OFFICIAL BUSINESS PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300 RECYCLED/RECYCLABLE—PRINTED 

WITH VEGETABLE OIL BASED INKS ON RECYCLED PAPER (MINIMUM 50% 

POST-CONSUMER CONTENT)