August 10, 2012

MEMORANDUM

TO: Brian Ng

CC: Ga-Young Choi

FROM: Anne Rasmussen, Earl Harris, and Amber Stewart

SUBJECT: Preliminary Burden Estimates for Renewal of ENERGY STAR ICR 2193

Attached is the supporting statement from the currently approved Information Collection 

Request (ICR No. 2193.02). We are now reviewing it to identify program changes that have 

occurred since it was approved. Thus far, we have identified one major program change, which 

is that the Outreach Partnership has been terminated. We will continue to identify changes and 

reflect them in the ICR renewal (ICR No. 2193.03).
SUPPORTING STATEMENT FOR

INFORMATION COLLECTION REQUEST RENEWAL NUMBER 2193.02:

“INFORMATION COLLECTION ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH EPA’S ENERGY 

STAR®PROGRAM IN THE RESIDENTIAL SECTOR”

September 14, 2009

Prepared by:

Climate Protection Partnerships Division

Office of Air and Radiation

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE INFORMATION COLLECTION............................................ 1

1(a) Title and Number of the Information Collection ........................................................... 1

1(b) Short Characterization or Abstract................................................................................. 1

2. NEED FOR AND USE OF THE COLLECTION ................................................................. 13

2(a) Need and Authority for the Collection......................................................................... 13

2(b) Practical Utility and Users of the Data......................................................................... 14

3. NONDUPLICATION, CONSULTATIONS, AND OTHER COLLECTION CRITERIA... 18

3(a) Nonduplication............................................................................................................. 18

3(b) Public Notice Required Prior to ICR Submission to OMB.......................................... 18

3(c) Consultations................................................................................................................ 19

3(d) Effects of Less Frequent Collection............................................................................. 19

3(e) General Guidelines....................................................................................................... 22

3(f) Confidentiality.............................................................................................................. 22

3(g) Sensitive Questions...................................................................................................... 22

4. THE RESPONDENTS AND THE INFORMATION REQUESTED................................... 23

4(a) Respondents and SIC Codes ........................................................................................ 23

4(b) Information Requested ................................................................................................. 24

5. THE INFORMATION COLLECTED—AGENCY ACTIVITIES, COLLECTION 

METHODOLOGY, AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT .......................................... 41

5(a) Agency Activities......................................................................................................... 41

5(b) Collection Methodology and Management.................................................................. 45

5(c) Small Entity Flexibility................................................................................................ 45

5(d) Collection Schedule...................................................................................................... 46

6. ESTIMATING THE BURDEN AND COST OF THE COLLECTION ............................... 48

6(a) Estimating Respondent Burden.................................................................................... 48

6(b) Estimating Respondent Costs....................................................................................... 48

6(c) Estimating Agency Burden and Costs.......................................................................... 49

6(d) Estimating the Respondent Universe ........................................................................... 49

6(e) Bottom Line Burden Hours and Cost Tables............................................................... 57

6(f) Reasons for Change in Burden..................................................................................... 58

6(g) Burden Statement ......................................................................................................... 60

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1. IDENTIFICATION OF THE INFORMATION COLLECTION

1(a) Title and Number of the Information Collection

This ICR is entitled "Information Collection Activities Associated with EPA's ENERGY

STAR®Program in the Residential Sector," ICR number 2193.02, OMB Control 2060-0586). 

This ICR is an ICR renewal and is a non-rule related ICR.

1(b) Short Characterization or Abstract

ENERGY STAR®is a voluntary energy efficiency labeling program aimed at forming 

public-private partnerships that prevent air pollution rather than control it after its creation. The 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced ENERGY STAR in 1992 to label 

energy efficient computers. Since then, EPA and the Department of Energy (DOE) have 

expanded the ENERGY STAR Program to promote energy efficiency in over 60 product 

categories such as office equipment and consumer electronics, and in commercial and residential 

buildings. President Obama has made energy efficiency a key element of his effort to address 

energy independence and reliability and climate change. Increased energy efficiency through 

ENERGY STAR provides cost savings to businesses and consumers, reduces greenhouse gas 

emissions from power plants, and increases U.S. energy security and reliability.

This ICR renewal examines information collection activities under the ENERGY STAR

Program within the new home and existing home sectors. ENERGY STAR is part of EPA’s 

Climate Protection Partnerships Division (CPPD) within the Office of Air and Radiation (OAR). 

EPA announced ENERGY STAR for New Homes in 1995 as part of its effort to promote energy

efficient new home construction within the residential sector. EPA rolled out an existing homes 

initiative in 1999 to promote cost-effective energy efficiency retrofits. The first activity was a 

consumer Web site and a home energy benchmarking tool called the Home Energy Yardstick. 

Then in 2001, EPA launched Home Performance with ENERGY STAR. And in 2008 EPA 

launched an ENERGY STAR HVAC Quality Installation program. These efforts promote home 

envelope improvements, (i.e. proper installation of adequate insulation, air sealing of holes and 

gaps into the home, and installation of energy efficient windows) proper installation of high 

efficiency heating and cooling equipment and duct sealing and repair. To date nearly 1,000,000 

ENERGY STAR qualified homes have been built in the U.S. and over 50,000 have been 

retrofitted through Home Performance with ENERGY STAR programs. This shift to more 

energy efficient homes is saving Americans more than $200 million in energy costs per year. 

Please note that the ENERGY STAR Program is jointly managed by EPA and DOE. 

Each agency leads work on different product categories, with EPA managing the residential 

building category. This ICR covers only those information collection activities undertaken by

EPA to promote the construction and sale of energy efficient new homes and to improve the 

energy efficiency of existing homes. It does not cover activities that primarily support other 

federal, state, or local energy efficiency programs, public or private.

EPA believes collecting information from the public regarding ENERGY STAR in the 

residential sector is critical to the program’s sustained success in forming and nurturing 
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voluntary agreements with the private sector to build and promote energy efficient homes. 

Partners view the ENERGY STAR label as a very effective marketing tool for highlighting the 

energy efficiency of their products, services, and homes to homebuyers and homeowners. In 

addition, ENERGY STAR provides partners with recognition as environmental leaders. 

Collecting information about partners and about ENERGY STAR’s impact in the residential 

marketplace is necessary to ensure continued success and delivery of valuable benefits to 

partners such as market differentiation, competitive advantage, and public recognition. 

Throughout ENERGY STAR’s existence, EPA has attempted to streamline its 

information collection activities to focus on information needed to provide incentives and public 

recognition to organizations promoting ENERGY STAR (e.g., ENERGY STAR Awards 

Program). EPA has done this by both minimizing the amount of information collected from 

program participants and by utilizing technology (i.e., Web-enabled databases) to more 

efficiently collect information. For example, EPA has utilized the Web to make tools and other 

resources readily available to help both organizations and consumers overcome the barriers to 

evaluating residential energy performance and investing in cost effective residential energy

efficiency improvements. EPA has continued to utilize technology to streamline its information 

collection activities since the initial ICR was approved in 2006. For example, since 2006 we 

have deployed an online partnership agreement for home builders and verification organizations 

as well as an online partnership review and approval tool called PARA. Within the past three 

years we have moved away from collecting paper partnership agreements and sending paper 

welcome aboard packages to partners. Both functions have moved online via an Online 

Partnership Agreement across all program offerings and an electronic welcome email that 

contains hyperlinks to programmatic materials.

Because ENERGY STAR is a voluntary program, all information collection activities 

undertaken are of a voluntary nature. Respondents are not required to participate. Any

information received to date has been submitted voluntarily to EPA. Sections 1 through 5 of this 

document describe the collections (e.g., from the standpoint of need and use/utility of the 

information collected). These sections also describe respondent and Agency activities. In 

Section 6, EPA estimates the total annual hour and cost burden to respondents and the Agency

under the collections. 

ENERGY STAR IN THE RESIDENTIAL SECTOR

The ENERGY STAR Program for the residential sector consists of the following 

participant groups:

 Home Builders. This participant group includes production home builders, 

custom home builders, manufactured home manufacturing plants, modular home 

manufacturing plants, and developers. Organizations of all sizes are encouraged 

to join the Program. Partners make a commitment to building and selling 

ENERGY STAR qualified homes.

 Verification Organizations. This participant group includes companies involved 

in independently verifying that homes meet ENERGY STAR guidelines for 
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residential energy efficiency. They act as third-party providers of home energy

rating services who are independent from ENERGY STAR. There are two types 

of verification organizations that participate in ENERGY STAR as partners: 

certified home energy raters and accredited home energy rating providers. The 

manufactured and modular home industry utilizes third-party consultants called 

plant certifiers who certify a manufacturing plant’s ability to consistently produce 

and install ENERGY STAR qualified manufactured and modular homes. Plant 

certifiers are not ENERGY STAR partners. Verification organizations are 

contractors hired by homebuilders to perform home energy ratings.

 Lenders. This participant group commits to deliver energy efficient mortgages 

(EEMs) to buyers of energy efficient homes and homeowners financing energy

efficiency improvements to existing homes. EEMs are based on the premise that 

owners of energy efficient homes are better borrowers because they spend less on 

utilities and therefore are able to keep more of their income making them more 

likely to stay current on debt payments. EEMs incorporate the present value of 

future utility bill savings into the mortgage itself, allowing borrowers to qualify

for a larger mortgage or obtain more favorable loan terms than they could 

otherwise in the marketplace. This participant group also includes lenders 

participating in the ENERGY STAR Mortgage Pilot Program. This pilot 

program, launched in January 2009, represents a public-private partnership 

between EPA, DOE, the Energy Programs Consortium, state energy and housing 

agencies, and foundations. The pilot program is being administered by the 

Energy Programs Consortium who is overseeing all lender oversight and 

evaluation activities. The pilot’s purpose is to promote ENERGY STAR-related 

energy efficiency improvements in homes at all income levels by offering 

borrowers a performance-based, real financial benefit as part of the loan in 

addition to the energy savings the borrower achieves. As this is currently a pilot 

program the information collection activities associated with this program may

change as the pilot program evolves and as new public policies concerning energy

efficiency financing are developed.

 Regional Energy Efficiency Program Sponsors (REEPS). This participant group 

includes utilities; national, regional, state, or local government entities; or other 

organizations involved in coordinating and/or administering a publicly-funded, 

energy-efficiency program or environmental education campaign that promotes or 

intends to promote ENERGY STAR qualified homes.

 Architects and Home Plan Designers. This participant group includes residential 

building architects and home plan designers who produce architectural plans. 

Organizations of all sizes are encouraged to join the Program. Partners make a 

commitment to designing homes with ENERGY STAR features in an effort to 

earn the Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR label.

 Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Partners. This participant group 

consists of utilities, state or local government, or non-profit organizations that 
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sponsor and promote a home energy retrofit program. The program emphasizes a 

bona fide whole house approach to energy efficiency, installation of 

recommended measures, diagnostic testing, and quality assurance.

 Home Performance Contractors. This participant group consists of home energy

auditors and trade or remodeling contractors that participate in the Home 

Performance with ENERGY STAR program.

 HVAC Quality Installation Partners. This participant group consists of utilities, 

and state and local agencies that sponsor and promote a program that verifies that 

HVAC contractors install heating and air conditioning equipment to meet 

American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved quality installation 

standards. The program typically includes training for HVAC contractors.

 HVAC Contractors. This participation group consists of contractors that install 

residential HVAC equipment and participate in the ENERGY STAR HVAC 

Quality Installation Program.

While not ENERGY STAR partners, another participant group is homeowners. This 

participant group includes all homeowners and organizations that use the Home Energy

Yardstick to benchmark and monitor residential energy performance. Homeowners benefit 

directly from this activity. Homeowners can obtain a user account to save their energy

information in the online database. Homeowners that submit information about their home’s 

energy efficiency retrofit may be featured on the ENERGY STAR Web site. This group may

participate in data collections to evaluate the quality of work performed by builders, raters, and 

contractors that participate in ENERGY STAR programs.

Also, on an informal basis and without becoming ENERGY STAR partners, other home 

industry professionals such as realtors and home builder associations can promote ENERGY 

STAR and educate the public about the environmental and economic benefits of energy efficient 

homes. 

The following paragraphs describe the information collections applicable to these groups.

JOINING THE ENERGY STAR PROGRAM AND RELATED ACTIVITIES

Organizations interested in joining ENERGY STAR as a partner are asked to submit a 

Partnership Agreement that includes their basic address and contact information and describes 

their level of commitment to promoting ENERGY STAR qualified homes, Home Performance 

with ENERGY STAR, Energy Efficient Mortgages, ENERGY STAR Mortgages, or ENERGY 

STAR HVAC Quality Installation. This partnership is activity-based, thus partners are asked or 

encouraged to undertake certain responsibilities and activities related to being an active 

ENERGY STAR partner and maintaining this active status, as described below. This 

information is entered into a database called iSTAR (www.energystar.gov/istar). 
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Home Builder Partners

In order to join ENERGY STAR as a partner, home builders are asked to complete, sign, 

and submit an online Partnership Agreement to EPA. These partners agree to build ENERGY 

STAR qualified homes and to promote ENERGY STAR and residential energy efficiency as 

options in preventing pollution, protecting the environment, and saving money on utility bills. 

The Agreement also gives home builders the option of committing to a higher level of 

participation. This includes an optional commitment to build all of their homes as ENERGY 

STAR qualified homes, committing to offering ENERGY STAR’s Advanced Lighting Package 

(ALP) to home buyers, and committing to offering ENERGY STAR’s Indoor Air Package (IAP) 

to home buyers. ENERGY STAR provides special recognition for these optional commitments 

on its Web site. 

Home Builder partners agree to adhere to the terms of the Agreement. These include 

following ENERGY STAR’s identity guidelines for utilizing the ENERGY STAR brand name 

and logos, and ENERGY STAR’s Web linking guidelines for linking to partner’s Web sites. 

Home Builder partners also agree to build at least one ENERGY STAR qualified home within 12 

months of joining as a partner or risk forfeiting access to Partner-only benefits such as the 

ENERGY STAR brand name and logos and being listed on the ENERGY STAR Web site. 

Home builder partners who build 5 or fewer homes per year as submitted to EPA on their initial 

application are permitted two years to build their first ENERGY STAR Qualified home before 

having their Partnership status de-activated. There is a cost associated with verifying the energy

efficiency of a site-built home for the ENERGY STAR label, whereby an independent home 

energy rater or rating provider is contracted by the builder to perform diagnostic tests on the 

home to verify whether its energy efficiency is high enough to meet ENERGY STAR’s 

efficiency guidelines. If it is, the rater places the ENERGY STAR label on the home and the 

rating provider notifies ENERGY STAR of this activity each calendar quarter. The cost of 

verification is typically incurred by the home builder. 

In lieu of an on-site verification of each home by a home energy rater, plants that produce 

ENERGY STAR qualified manufactured and modular homes undertake a manufacturing plant 

certification process whereby the plant develops and implements quality control procedures, both 

for the in-plant production process and for the on-site installation crews who set-up the home onsite, to ensure that it is properly set-up to consistently produce and install manufactured and 

modular homes that can qualify for the ENERGY STAR label. This certification process takes 

on average three days. The certification process involves the use of a third-party consultant who

has been accredited by an EPA-approved quality assurance provider. The Systems Building 

Research Alliance (SBRA) is a quality assurance provider as is the Northwest Energy Efficient 

Manufactured Home (NEEM) program. This consultant examines the plant’s manufacturing 

process for areas where production and installation techniques need to be changed to improve the 

energy efficiency of the manufactured or modular home. To complete certification, the plant 

needs to produce three homes that meet ENERGY STAR guidelines. The end result of this 

process is the completion of a plant certification form by the third-party consultant that states 

that the plant has been fully certified. This form is not provided to EPA but rather to an EPAapproved quality assurance provider. The cost of plant certification is incurred by the 

manufacturing plant. The plant is also asked to keep a record of their plant certification on file, 
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as well as a copy of quality control-related documents for each ENERGY STAR qualified 

manufactured and modular home produced, such as the completed site installation checklist. 

Plants report the number of ENERGY STAR manufactured and modular homes produced to 

their quality assurance providers who then electronically submit quarterly reports to EPA. 

Architects/Home Plan Designers 

In order to join ENERGY STAR as a partner, architects/home plan designers are asked to 

complete, sign, and submit an online Partnership Agreement to EPA. These partners agree to 

include details in their home plans with the intention of those plans earning the Designed to Earn 

the ENERGY STAR qualified homes mark and to promote ENERGY STAR and residential 

energy efficiency as options in preventing pollution, protecting the environment, and saving 

money on utility bills.

Architects/Home Plan Designer partners agree to adhere to the terms of the Agreement. 

These include following ENERGY STAR’s identity guidelines for utilizing the ENERGY STAR 

brand name and logos, and ENERGY STAR’s Web linking guidelines for linking to partner’s 

Web sites.

Architect/Home Plan Designer partners also agree to produce at least one Designed to 

Earn the ENERGY STAR labeled home plan within 12 months of joining as a partner or risk 

forfeiting access to Partner-only benefits such as the ENERGY STAR brand name and logos and 

being listed on the ENERGY STAR Web site. There is a cost associated with verifying the 

home plans, whereby an independent home energy rater or rating provider is contracted by the 

architect/home plan designer to perform diagnostic tests on the home plan to verify whether its 

energy efficiency is high enough to meet ENERGY STAR’s efficiency guidelines. If it is, the 

rater places the Designed to Earn ENERGY STAR label on the home plan and the rating 

provider notifies ENERGY STAR of this activity each calendar quarter. The cost of verification 

is typically incurred by the architect/home plan designer. 

Verification Organization Partners

In order to join ENERGY STAR as a partner, verification organizations are asked to 

complete, sign, and submit a Partnership Agreement to EPA. There are two types of verification 

organizations. One is the certified rater, who is trained and certified by the Residential Energy

Services Network (RESNET), the governing body for home energy verification organizations, to 

analyze and evaluate the energy efficiency of homes and to assign a HERS (Home Energy

Rating System) rating to the home based on its estimated energy efficiency. Second is the 

accredited rating provider. The rating provider is accredited by RESNET and is responsible for 

overseeing the raters and for implementing quality control procedures among its associated 

raters. 

These partners agree to adhere to the terms of the Partnership Agreement, which include 

ENERGY STAR’s identity guidelines for utilizing the ENERGY STAR brand name and logos, 

and ENERGY STAR’s Web linking guidelines for linking to partner’s Web sites. Verification 

Organization partners also agree to label at least one ENERGY STAR qualified home within 12 
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months of joining as a partner or risk forfeiting access to partner-only benefits such as the 

ENERGY STAR brand name and logos and being listed on the ENERGY STAR Web site. 

Accredited Home Energy Rating Providers agree to submit to EPA each calendar quarter an 

online report via EPA’s online reporting tool called HOST, indicating the number of ENERGY 

STAR qualified homes that were labeled. Also, by becoming a partner, Rating Providers agree 

to provide EPA with copies of rating reports upon request.

Raters and rating providers act as third-party contractors and are paid by homebuilders. 

These partners agree to perform in-the-field diagnostic tests on a site-built home to verify

whether its energy efficiency is high enough to meet ENERGY STAR’s efficiency guidelines. If 

it is, the rater places the ENERGY STAR label on the home and the rating provider notifies 

ENERGY STAR of this activity each calendar quarter. 

In lieu of an on-site verification of each home by a home energy rater, plants that produce 

ENERGY STAR qualified manufactured and modular homes undertake a manufacturing plant 

certification process whereby the plant develops and implements quality control procedures, both 

for the in-plant production process and for the on-site installation crews who set-up the home onsite, to ensure that it is properly set-up to consistently produce and install manufactured and 

modular homes that can qualify for the ENERGY STAR label. The certification process 

involves the use of a third-party consultant who has been accredited by an EPA-approved quality

assurance provider. The Systems Building Research Alliance (SBRA) is a quality assurance 

provider as is the Northwest Energy Efficient Manufactured Home (NEEM) program. Quality 

assurance providers review and collect information for each certified plant and conduct random 

inspections of plants’ production of ENERGY STAR qualified manufactured and modular 

homes.

Regional Energy Efficiency Program Sponsors (REEPS)

REEPS interested in joining ENERGY STAR are asked to complete and submit a 

Partnership Agreement and Commitment Form. This Partnership Agreement and Commitment 

Form are utilized by other areas within the ENERGY STAR Program since REEPS can promote 

energy efficiency in multiple sectors. In the Agreement they agree to use the Partnership and the 

ENERGY STAR Label in accordance with current ENERGY STAR logo use and Web linking 

guidelines to promote energy performance as an easy and desirable option for organizations and 

consumers to prevent pollution, protect the global environment, and save on energy bills. A 

REEP may promote ENERGY STAR any number of ways, for example by offering to reimburse 

home builders for the cost of getting a home verified for the ENERGY STAR label. On the 

separate Commitment Form they identify the ENERGY STAR program area(s) they agree to 

promote and fulfill, such as consumer products, new homes, or commercial buildings. 

Lenders

Lenders interested in joining ENERGY STAR are asked to complete and submit a 

Partnership Agreement. In the Agreement they agree to use the ENERGY STAR brand in 

promoting energy efficient mortgages, ENERGY STAR Mortgages, or other loan products to 

promote energy performance as an easy and desirable option for consumers to prevent pollution, 
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protect the global environment, and save on energy bills. The Partnership Agreement asks 

lenders to provide basic address and contact information, to specify the type of Energy Efficient 

Mortgage (EEM) they will offer, and to describe the methods they will utilize to promote EEMs 

and ENERGY STAR. In addition, lenders make commitments as part of their partnership 

including adhering to ENERGY STAR’s Identity Guidelines and Web Linking Guidelines, 

writing at least one EEM to activate their access to partners-only resources such as ENERGY 

STAR’s logos, writing at least three EEMs every 12 months to remain an active partner, 

informing ENERGY STAR once a year of the number of EEMs written each calendar year, and 

having staff who can process EEMs and can answer consumer questions about EEMs. 

Lenders interested in joining ENERGY STAR as partners participating in the ENERGY 

STAR Mortgage Pilot Program Mortgage pilot must also commit to adhering to all requirements 

of the program including undergoing an initial lender audit, an evaluation after the first quarter of 

joining the program, and annual evaluations thereafter. The lender audits and evaluations are 

conducted by the Energy Programs Consortium (EPC), a nonprofit organization representing 

state weatherization and community service programs, state energy offices, state public service 

commissioners, and state directors of low income home energy assistance programs. EPA and 

EPC are collaborating on this pilot program to determine whether offering borrowers ENERGY 

STAR-branded, performance-based energy efficiency financing leads to more residential energy

efficiency improvements.

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Partners-Sponsors

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR partners are organizations that sponsor energy

efficiency retrofit program for existing homes. These partners are typically a utility company, 

state or local government or a non-profit organization that promotes energy efficiency. 

Organizations interested in joining ENERGY STAR as Home Performance with ENERGY 

STAR partners are asked to complete a Partnership Agreement and program implementation 

plan. In the Agreement partners commit to sponsor a program that emphasizes a bona fide whole 

house approach, the installation of recommended measures, diagnostic testing, and quality

assurance. The Partnership form asks for basic address and contact information. In addition, the 

Partnership form asks partners to submit a plan to EPA for implementing the Home Performance 

with ENERGY STAR program. The plan must explain how quality will be managed and how the 

ENERGY STAR message and logos will be used in marketing. Partners are asked to submit to 

EPA market indicators for each quarter. These market indicators include the number of 

participating contractors, the number of Home Performance jobs completed and the number of 

quality assurance inspections completed,. This information will allow EPA to track and evaluate 

the progress of Home Performance with ENERGY STAR and its Partners in promoting energy

efficiency in existing homes. 

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Partners-Contractors

EPA will test a contractor partnership program in Northern Virginia in 2010. In order to 

join ENERGY STAR as a partner, home performance contractors are asked to complete, sign, 

and submit a Partnership Agreement to EPA. Only contractors accredited by a third party quality 

assurance organization are eligible to participate. These partners agree to provide homeowners 
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with a Home Performance Assessment (HPA) summary report that meets Home Performance 

with ENERGY STAR guidelines. The summary report includes findings from the HPA and fuelneutral recommended improvements (i.e. scope of work) that will save at least 20 percent on 

total energy use. (A Home Energy Rating or audit procedures approved for use by DOE’s 

Weatherization Assistance Program can be used to estimate 20 percent reduction in total energy

use.) All home improvements must meet applicable state or local building codes and consensusbased building science standards. 

Home Performance Contractors agree to report information about all home improvement 

projects completed to EPA through a designated third-party quality assurance organization, 

follow the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Marketing Graphic Guidelines (available at 

www.energystar.gov/marks), and complete at least 20 HPAs and test-out inspections (requires 

that energy efficiency improvements were completed to homes) annually to access Partner-only 

benefits such as the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR brand name and logos and being 

listed on the ENERGY STAR Web site. EPA plans to pilot test this partnership in 2010 in 

Northern Virginia, but anticipates expansion to all states before this ICR expires.

HVAC Quality Installation Program Partners

HVAC Quality Installation partners are organizations that promote a program that 

verifies HVAC contractors to install heating and air conditioning equipment to meet ANSI

approved quality installation standards. Organizations interested in joining ENERGY STAR as 

HVAC Quality Installation program partners are asked to complete a Partnership Agreement and 

program implementation plan. In the Agreement they commit to sponsoring a program that 

verifies that residential HVAC equipment is installed to meet ENERGY STAR HVAC Quality

Installation guidelines. The Partnership form asks for basic address and contact information. In 

addition, the Partnership form asks partners to submit a plan to EPA that explains how they will 

implement the program. Partners are also asked to submit to EPA on a quarterly basis, 

information about market indicators. These market indicators include the number of participating 

contractors, the number of installations completed, the number of installations inspected, the 

number of installations that failed verification the reasons and resolution, and the number of 

certificates issued. This information will allow EPA to track and evaluate the success of the 

program. 

HVAC Contractors

HVAC Contractors participate in ENERGY STAR HVAC Quality Installation programs. 

They are not ENERGY STAR partners and do not complete a partnership agreement. HVAC 

Contractors that choose to participate in an ENERGY STAR HVAC Quality Installation program 

will submit a test-out form to an HVAC Quality Installation Program Partner for each HVAC 

installation verified.
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EVALUATION

EPA utilizes information collected from Partners and others in the home construction and 

improvement sectors to evaluate the impact of ENERGY STAR on the building, selling, and 

promotion of energy efficient new homes and the improvement of existing homes. This is to 

ensure that ENERGY STAR maximizes its ability to transform the market for energy efficient 

homes, and maintains its unique value in the marketplace as the symbol for energy efficient 

homes and products. The only way to do this is to evaluate how ENERGY STAR is being 

utilized and perceived within the residential sector by collecting feedback from those within the 

industry. There are three main areas of evaluation:

 Program Evaluation - feedback about the ENERGY STAR program and its outreach efforts, 

collected and utilized by EPA to assess and improve the effectiveness of the ENERGY 

STAR program in stimulating and transforming the market for energy efficient homes. One 

program evaluation activity includes gathering feedback from Partners on the effectiveness 

of ENERGY STAR’s outreach materials such as its Sales and Marketing Toolkit used by

home builders, home performance contractors and program sponsors to generate co-branded 

marketing materials to promote ENERGY STAR qualified homes or Home Performance 

with ENERGY STAR to homebuyers and homeowners. EPA will use this feedback to make 

improvements to marketing and outreach materials to meet Partners’ marketing and outreach 

needs. 

Another program evaluation activity includes obtaining feedback from homeowners that have 

either purchased an ENERGY STAR qualified home, completed home improvements 

through a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program or ENERGY STAR HVAC 

Quality Installation program. Collections can be used to capture valuable information about 

the quality of services delivered by ENERGY STAR partners. Collections can be completed 

online or in paper form. 

Another activity includes performing random infra-red camera evaluation of constructed 

ENERGY STAR qualified homes. The infra-red camera evaluations will assist in 

determining compliance by builder partners in constructing ENERGY STAR qualified homes 

and will help guide program design and enhancement. 

 Partner Evaluation - information about Partners’ level of interest in ENERGY STAR 

collected and utilized by EPA to assess Partners’ level of knowledge of and participation in 

promoting ENERGY STAR qualified new homes and the improvement of existing homes. 

One partner evaluation activity includes contacting home lender and utility partners to 

determine their current incentive programs and level of knowledge about ENERGY STAR 

qualified homes and energy efficient home improvements. This information is used to 

update EPA’s records of the Partner’s current ENERGY STAR-related incentive programs or 

other outreach programs being used to promote ENERGY STAR. This information is also 

provided to the public via the Internet to provide public access to incentives being offered for 

the purchase of ENERGY STAR qualified homes and improving the energy efficiency of 

existing homes. Another partner evaluation activity includes collecting information about 

why partners are joining the program. Potential partners are given a list of nine options to 
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select from as to how they heard about ENERGY STAR when entering their partnership 

agreement. This information is used to assist EPA in determining how to support different 

market sectors that market the program.

 Market Evaluation - information about ENERGY STAR in the marketplace collected and 

utilized by EPA to assess ENERGY STAR’s impact on the market for energy efficient new 

and existing homes. One market evaluation activity includes contacting home builders for 

their observations on the impact that ENERGY STAR has had on the supply and demand for 

ENERGY STAR qualified homes compared to non-ENERGY STAR qualified homes. This 

information will be used to measure ENERGY STAR’s impact on the supply and demand for 

energy efficient homes and to determine trends in the residential sector with respect to energy

demand and energy efficiency. 

 Impact Evaluation – information about how much energy is being saved as a result of 

ENERGY STAR’s residential programs is an important indicator of success. EPA will 

request permission from a number of homeowners (less than 500 in any one market) to 

obtain energy use and cost information from utilities and energy suppliers. This information 

will be analyzed to measure ENERGY STAR’s impact and determine trends in the 

residential sector with respect to energy demand and energy efficiency impact of the 

program. Data provided by homeowners via online energy performance benchmarking tools 

may be evaluated and featured in case studies on the ENERGY STAR Web site when 

homeowners provide information about how they improved their home’s energy efficiency. 

Another impact evaluation activity includes working with Home Energy Rater partners to 

determine real world energy and cost savings based on utility bills and energy consumption. 

Utility bill data will be provided by participating volunteer utilities and home energy ratings 

furnished by volunteer Rating Providers interested in determining the savings of ENERGY 

STAR qualified homes. 

While EPA has identified several specific topics for evaluation, the Agency has not yet 

developed specific questions or methods for collecting all the information for each evaluation 

topic. EPA has provided a copy of specific evaluation questions that have been developed to 

date as part of this ICR renewal. For remaining evaluation areas, EPA will determine evaluation 

parameters based on a range of considerations (e.g., the number of partners to be contacted, the 

number of questions to be asked, and the nature of the questions) at such time that it seeks to 

collect the information. EPA believes Partner feedback is essential for the Agency to ensure that 

the Program effectively meets Partners’ needs in successfully building and promoting energy

efficient homes, which in turn ensures that the Program meets EPA’s goals of reducing 

residential energy consumption and reducing air pollution.

QUARTERLY REPORTING

In order for EPA to track Partners’ level of activity and give them credit for the 

ENERGY STAR qualified homes they build, label, and/or sponsor, EPA collects basic 

information each calendar quarter about the number of qualified homes that Partners have built, 

labeled, and/or sponsored. The Homes Online Submittal Tool (HOST) 

(www.energystar.gov/host) is a password protected, online reporting form designed to allow 
- - 12

Rating Provider Partners and Partners involved in tracking ENERGY STAR qualified 

manufactured and modular homes to electronically submit readily-available and basic 

information about their ENERGY STAR qualified new homes at their convenience and from 

their own computers. Information collected includes: the name of the home builder (or 

manufacturer), city and state of the home, name of the certified rater responsible for qualifying 

the home, name of the accredited rating provider, name of the retailer (only for manufactured 

and modular homes), the names of any REPS or other sponsoring organizations, the name of the 

developer partner if applicable, the rating method used to qualify the home, and the number of 

qualified homes produced. The information submitted by Partners is reviewed by EPA and then 

accepted into ENERGY STAR’s Partner database, the Integrated Strategic Tracking and 

Reporting (iSTAR) database. This information is then displayed on the ENERGY STAR Web 

site to publicly recognize organizations and their level of activity in building, qualifying, and 

sponsoring ENERGY STAR qualified homes. Data fields to be added to HOST include a 

designation for home with the Advanced Lighting Package (ALP) and homes containing the 

Indoor Air Package (IAP). Until these data fields are added to HOST, EPA expects Partners to 

submit this information manually outside of HOST. 

The final part of the reporting process is the option for Partners to order ENERGY STAR 

label stock from EPA. These labels are placed in all homes that have been qualified for the 

ENERGY STAR label. By combining the reporting and label ordering process into a single 

electronic, paperless, online system (HOST), EPA has minimized the reporting burden on 

Partners, while at the same time minimized its data entry error and maximized its data collection 

efficiency. 

Partners that sponsor a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR or ENERGY STAR 

HVAC Quality Installation Program also submit quarterly reports. For Home Performance with 

ENERGY STAR the number of projects completed by each participating contractor and the 

number of quality assurance inspections completed by the program sponsor are reported using a 

simple spreadsheet. For ENERGY STAR HVAC Quality Installation Program the number of 

installations by participating contractor, the number of verification inspections passed and failed, 

and the number of certificates issued is reported. Quarterly reporting is also an opportunity to 

update partner contact information and participating contractor contact information.

ENERGY STAR AWARDS

Organizations interested in receiving recognition for their efforts in building, qualifying, 

and/or sponsoring ENERGY STAR qualified homes may submit an application for an ENERGY

STAR Award. These awards are handed out annually by EPA during the annual ENERGY 

STAR awards ceremony. The award application consists of a narrative description of the 

Partner’s activities in promoting ENERGY STAR in the residential sector, its success stories, 

and a description of ENERGY STAR’s impact on their business. The application may include 

photos or multimedia elements to illustrate to EPA the Partner’s activities in promoting 

ENERGY STAR. EPA is currently issuing the following homes-related awards for 2009 under 

the ENERGY STAR Program:
- - 13

 Excellence in ENERGY STAR Promotion - eligible organizations include ENERGY 

STAR partners.

 Excellence in Affordable Housing - eligible organizations include governments, nonprofits, and non-governmental organizations and others who promote ENERGY STAR in 

affordable housing.

 Partner of the Year Program Delivery

o New Homes –eligible organizations include Regional Energy Efficiency Program 

Sponsors

o Home Performance with ENERGY STAR—eligible organizations include 

HPwES Partners

o HVAC Quality Installation– eligible organizations include HVAC Quality 

Installation Partners

Partners that sponsor a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program will submit a 

final annual report that summarizes contractor recruitment/training activities, quality assurance 

activities, marketing activities, and future program plans. This report should be less than three 

pages and can be used as part of a Partner’s application for an ENERGY STAR Award.

OUTREACH PARTNERSHIP

Partners have the option of participating in an outreach partnership, whereby Partners 

contribute resources to the development and distribution of a public outreach and education 

campaign about ENERGY STAR qualified homes. A one page commitment form is completed 

by the Partners and submitted to EPA. This form requests Partner contact information as well as 

the amount of resources to be provided and details about the type of media to be used for the 

outreach campaign. It also asks Partners to submit a corporate logo for inclusion in the outreach 

materials. EPA prepares a print campaign that partners use to co-brand with ENERGY STAR.

The Outreach Program involves coordination and implementation by local Partners to 

develop and distribute the outreach materials as well as recruit showrooms. EPA works closely 

with Partners in interested markets to help facilitate a successful campaign.

2. NEED FOR AND USE OF THE COLLECTION

2(a) Need and Authority for the Collection

Section 103(a) of the Clean Air Act authorizes EPA to establish “a national research and 

development program for the prevention and control of air pollution.” As part of such a program, 

EPA is to “conduct and promote the coordination and acceleration of research, investigations, 

experiments, demonstrations, surveys, and studies relating to the causes, effects (including health 

and welfare effects), extent, prevention and control of air pollution.” Section 103(a)(1). 

In addition, as a component of the program, section 103(g) directs the Administrator to 

“conduct a basic engineering research and technology program to develop, evaluate, and 

demonstrate nonregulatory strategies and technologies for air pollution prevention.” The section 

calls on the Administrator to provide opportunities for industry, public interest groups, scientists, 
- - 14

and other interested persons to participate in strategy development. Section 103(g) further directs 

EPA to include as elements in the program “improvements in nonregulatory strategies and 

technologies for preventing or reducing multiple air pollutants including sulfur oxides, nitrogen 

oxides, heavy metals, PM-10 (particulate matter), carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide...” The 

strategies and technologies are to improve various air pollutant reduction and nonregulatory

control strategies, including energy conservation.

The ENERGY STAR® Program is one component of the Administrator’s response to 

reduce green house gas emissions that contribute to climate change. ENERGY STAR Partners 

help promote efficient homes by building and labeling qualifying homes with the ENERGY 

STAR label and by improving the efficiency of existing homes. The label provides an easy way 

for consumers to identify energy-efficient homes and products that save money on utility bills 

and reduce air pollution. By using less energy, these homes and products help reduce the demand 

to create power, which is typically generated by power plants that burn fossil fuels. As such, 

these homes help reduce air pollutants such as sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and carbon dioxide 

that are generated by these stationary sources. ENERGY STAR demonstrates how providing 

consumer information and public recognition can be used as a nonregulatory strategy to prevent 

and control air pollution. 

The information collection activities described in this ICR are necessary in order for EPA 

to track and analyze the market for energy efficient homes, which allows EPA to design its 

ENERGY STAR outreach programs and public education materials to fit the needs of its 

Partners, as well as to provide public recognition and market differentiation to participating 

organizations. Because some of the collection activities involve small businesses, EPA will limit 

collection activities where a minimum amount of information is sufficient for EPA to complete 

its work. This ICR will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 

businesses. The following section explains the need for each major information collection 

activity included in this ICR.

2(b) Practical Utility and Users of the Data

JOINING THE ENERGY STAR PROGRAM AND RELATED ACTIVITIES

EPA’s primary source of information about its ENERGY STAR partners comes from the 

Partnership Agreement form that Partners complete in order to join the ENERGY STAR 

Program. Depending on the respondent, there are certain information collection activities and 

additional forms related to becoming a Partner. The purpose of these activities, the users of this 

information, and any additional forms associated with these activities are described below.

Partnership Agreement

EPA uses information submitted in its ENERGY STAR Partnership Agreement to 

officially establish an organization’s participation in ENERGY STAR and to provide 

organizations with public recognition of their ENERGY STAR Partnership. Address and contact 

information from the Agreement are entered into the iSTAR (Integrated Strategic Tracking and 

Reporting) database to serve as a source of general information and as a contact list for updating 
- - 15

Partners on information relevant to their ENERGY STAR Partnership. EPA uses the Partnership 

Agreement to enforce its trademark of the ENERGY STAR name and logos, to commit Partners 

to verifying the energy efficiency of every home that receives an ENERGY STAR label, as well 

as committing Partners to providing EPA with verification information upon request. 

The Agreement also gives Builder Partners the option of making a commitment to 

building 100 percent of their homes to ENERGY STAR guidelines, offering ENERGY STAR’s 

Advanced Lighting Package (ALP) in their homes, and/or offering ENERGY STAR’s Indoor Air 

Package (IAP). These additional commitments can be made by the Partner simply by initializing 

the applicable section of the Agreement. 

Information provided on the Partnership Agreement is entered into iSTAR and used to 

provide Builder Partners additional recognition on the ENERGY STAR Web site’s Partner 

Locator Tool (www.energystar.gov/homes), which is accessed by those in the home building 

industry as well as by home buyers searching for ENERGY STAR partners in their state. 

Information from the Agreement is also used by EPA to generate usernames and passwords used 

by Partners to access “Partner Only” resources on the ENERGY STAR Web site, such as 

downloading Partner-only logos and accessing the online reporting tool, HOST.

Indoor Air Package (IAP) Commitment 

EPA will use information provided on the Partnership Agreement to provide public 

recognition to partners that are offering the IAP in their new homes. EPA will also use this 

information to track the activities of builders building homes containing the IAP to make sure 

they are correctly implementing the IAP.

Manufactured and Modular Housing Plant Certification

Information collected and maintained as part of a manufactured housing and modular 

housing partner’s plant certification process is used by EPA and the manufacturing plants 

themselves to ensure that a manufacturing plant is ready and able to consistently produce homes 

that are ready for ENERGY STAR qualification and that these homes are installed properly and 

according to ENERGY STAR guidelines. This in turn protects the brand recognition and value 

associated with the ENERGY STAR name and logo in the residential sector. This information is 

also used by the plants to correct any problems that arise during the production and installation 

process. A plant certification form is completed as written confirmation of the plant’s 

certification. The certification form is not an EPA form and is not submitted to EPA. The form 

belongs to an EPA-approved third-party quality assurance provider. A copy of the form is 

maintained by the plant itself.

Verification of Home’s Energy Efficiency for the ENERGY STAR Label

Information collected and maintained as part of a verification organization’s process for 

verifying the energy efficiency of an ENERGY STAR qualified home on behalf of a 

homebuilder is used by the verification organization, the home builder, and EPA to ensure that a 

home receiving an ENERGY STAR label meets EPA’s guidelines for residential energy 
- - 16

efficiency. This serves to protect the integrity of the ENERGY STAR brand by providing 

independent, third-party verification of all ENERGY STAR qualified homes. The information is 

not submitted to EPA but rather is maintained by the verification organization and the 

homebuilder in the form of a home energy rating report, which is generated by the verification 

organization. EPA may request a copy of the final rating report if there is a need to become 

involved in resolving questions concerning the ENERGY STAR status of a home.

Home Energy Rating Reports

Home energy rating reports generated by verification organizations are provided to EPA 

only upon request, when EPA needs to assist in resolving disputes regarding the ENERGY 

STAR status of a home. The information contained in the rating report is a necessary part of a 

dispute resolution process that the verification organizations and EPA utilize to handle 

complaints made by homeowners about their ENERGY STAR qualified homes. The rating 

reports provide an independent source of energy efficiency information about a home that can be 

used to address energy performance issues related to the home’s designation as an ENERGY 

STAR qualified home. 

The Number of Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs) and ENERGY STAR 

Mortgages Written

EPA uses information collected from lender Partners on the annual number of EEMs, or 

other energy efficiency loans such as ENERGY STAR mortgages, written to track and monitor 

the market for these loans and to analyze their impact on the market for ENERGY STAR 

qualified homes and energy efficient improvements to existing homes. 

Commitment Form for Regional Energy Efficiency Program Sponsors (REEPS)

Information contained on the commitment form completed by REEPS as part of their 

partnership agreement will be used by EPA to determine what ENERGY STAR program areas 

the partner can sponsor and promote. REEPS can only use the ENERGY STAR name and logos 

to promote program areas for which they are committed to via the commitment form.

Implementation Plan for Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Partners

EPA will use the program implementation plan that is prepared and submitted by Home 

Performance with ENERGY STAR Partners to ensure that these Partners have a realistic plan to 

manage and consistently deliver a program for making whole-house energy efficiency

improvements. EPA will also verify that key program components are included in the plan. EPA 

will refer to this plan when verifying a Partner’s commitment to ENERGY STAR. EPA 

provides an Implementation Plan template that partners may use to create their plan.

Implementation Plan for ENERGY STAR HVAC Quality Installation Partners

EPA will use the program implementation plan that is prepared and submitted by

ENERGY STAR HVAC Quality Installation Program Partners to ensure that these Partners have 
- - 17

a realistic plan to manage and consistently verify and issue certificates that residential HVAC 

systems have been installed according to ENERGY STAR HVAC Quality Installation 

guidelines. EPA will also verify that key program components are included in the plan. EPA 

will refer to this plan when evaluating a Partner’s commitment to ENERGY STAR.

Web Sites and Printed Materials

Partners agree to submit Web sites and printed material that uses the ENERGY STAR 

logo to EPA for review. EPA uses this information to effectively monitor and protect the use of 

the ENERGY STAR logos and brand name. 

Contractor Test-out Report

Contractors participating in a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program or an 

ENERGY STAR HVAC Quality Installation program will complete a test-out report to 

document important verification information for completed jobs. The reports for each program 

are different. The Test-out Report is collected by the program sponsor or designated quality

assurance organization for review and confirmation. EPA does not collect this information from 

program sponsors, but may ask to review their records to verify that the program sponsor or 

quality assurance organization is actively reviewing reports. 

EVALUATION

EPA will use information collected from Partners and others in the new home 

construction and home improvement sectors to evaluate the impact of ENERGY STAR on the 

building, selling, and promotion of energy efficient new homes and the improvement of existing 

homes. EPA will also use this information to improve its ability to serve the needs of those in 

the home construction and home improvement industries who wish to build and promote energy

efficient homes. This collection activity will ensure that ENERGY STAR maintains its brand 

value in the marketplace as the symbol for energy efficient homes and products, and that its 

education and outreach efforts are well designed and targeted and properly executed given 

current market conditions. 

This evaluation information may also be used by EPA or shared with other organizations 

as part of public outreach or education campaigns promoting the environmental and economic 

benefits of energy-efficient new and existing homes.

EPA will, when granted permission by a homeowner, collect energy use and cost 

information from servicing utilities and energy suppliers for 13 months after initial occupancy

for new homes and 13 months before and after energy efficiency home improvements are 

completed. This information will be analyzed to determine the energy saving impact of the 

program.

EPA will use information collections to evaluate the quality of service delivered by

ENERGY STAR partners and participating contractors. 
- - 18

QUARTERLY REPORTING

EPA will use the information obtained via the quarterly reporting process to: generate 

estimates of the amount of energy and air pollution saved from ENERGY STAR qualified 

homes, Home Performance improvements, and HVAC Quality Installations to generate short 

and long-term goals for energy and air pollution reduction that will feed into the budget 

formulation process for ENERGY STAR, and to determine Partners who are deserving of special 

recognition via EPA’s ENERGY STAR Awards, Achievement Awards, and other special 

recognition programs. This information is also used by EPA to inform the public as to the 

progress being made in reducing residential energy use and in reducing air pollution.

ENERGY STAR AWARDS

Information collected from Partners via the ENERGY STAR Awards application process 

will be used by EPA to evaluate the level of activity and brand support provided by Partners and 

to determine which Partners will earn an ENERGY STAR award in the various award categories 

being offered. This information will also be used by EPA as part of its efforts to promote 

ENERGY STAR and the successes achieved by organizations that have committed themselves to 

promoting energy efficient homes. The awards themselves will be used by Partners to promote 

their success as a Partner.

OUTREACH PARTNERSHIP

The information collected on the commitment form used by Partners to participate in the 

Outreach Partnership campaign is used by EPA as an agreement between EPA and Partners as to 

the terms of the outreach campaign to be co-developed. This includes the type of media to be 

used and the resources to be contributed by all Partners towards the campaign. 

3. NONDUPLICATION, CONSULTATIONS, AND OTHER COLLECTION 

CRITERIA

3(a) Nonduplication

The information collected under this ICR has not been collected by EPA or any other 

federal agency. In addition, the requested information is based on a particular point in time; 

therefore, information that is not up-to-date is not sufficient. CPPD will ensure that information 

collected will not duplicate any ongoing recordkeeping or reporting functions required for 

participation in any of CPPD’s programs.

3(b) Public Notice Required Prior to ICR Submission to OMB

To comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act requirement that any agency developing a 

non-rule-related ICR solicit public comments for a 60-day period, EPA published a Federal 

Register notice on May 29, 2009 (74 FR 25732). No comments were received on this notice.
- - 19

3(c) Consultations

In preparing this ICR, EPA conducted industry consultations as well as the expertise of 

EPA staff. Because EPA works closely with ENERGY STAR participants, the Agency already 

has a good idea of the time needed to carry out its information collections. Therefore, EPA 

relied on the expertise of Agency staff in developing the ICR’s hour and cost assumptions. In 

addition, the Agency accessed its current databases (e.g., iSTAR) and documentation to estimate 

the number of respondents and activities. The Agency’s data sources are kept up-to-date based 

on participant submittals (e.g., submittals of Partnership Agreements, quarterly reports). To 

supplement the expertise of EPA staff, EPA spoke with representatives from the lending 

community as well as the manufactured and modular housing industry to develop the hour and 

cost assumptions related to data collected from lender partners and from manufacturing plants 

producing ENERGY STAR qualified manufactured and modular homes. 

3(d) Effects of Less Frequent Collection

JOINING THE ENERGY STAR PROGRAM AND RELATED ACTIVITIES

Partnership Agreement

The Partnership Agreement is submitted to EPA on a one-time basis; less frequent 

collection is not possible. 

Manufactured and Modular Housing Plant Certification Forms

The manufactured housing and modular housing plant certification forms are owned by 

an EPA-approved quality assurance provider who oversees all quality processes involved in 

producing and installing ENERGY STAR qualified manufactured and modular homes. This 

form is submitted to the EPA-approved third-party quality assurance provider on a one-time 

basis, once the manufacturing plant has completed its ENERGY STAR plant certification 

process; less frequent collection is not possible.

Verify Home’s Energy Efficiency for the ENERGY STAR Label

Verification of a home’s energy efficiency occurs when site-built home builders or plants 

producing manufactured and modular homes want to apply the ENERGY STAR label on homes. 

This process is necessary to ensure the quality of the home with respect to ENERGY STAR’s 

guidelines for energy efficiency. A site-built home’s energy efficiency is verified two ways. 

One way is to test each home individually. The other is to use an analytical protocol approved 

by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) that allows one home in a group of 

seven similar homes to be tested. If the one home meets ENERGY STAR guidelines the other, 

similar homes do as well if certain requirements are met. In addition, a manufactured and 

modular home’s energy efficiency features are inspected on-site before the ENERGY STAR 

label is applied. Less frequent collection for site-built, manufactured, and modular homes would 

hinder EPA’s ability to verify the energy efficiency of each home and would have a negative 

impact on ENERGY STAR’s brand value as the symbol for energy efficiency. 
- - 20

Home Energy Rating Report

Home energy rating reports are owned by verification organizations and are not 

submitted to EPA unless requested by EPA from the verification organization in response to a 

homeowner complaint. In this case, the home energy rating report is submitted to EPA upon 

EPA’s request. Less frequent collection would hinder EPA’s ability to confirm the energy

efficiency of ENERGY STAR qualified homes when necessary and to respond to homeowner 

complaints about the energy performance of ENERGY STAR qualified homes.

Updates on Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs) and ENERGY STAR Mortgages

Lender Partners offering EEMs submit to EPA the number of EEMs written once per 

year. Less frequent collection would not allow EPA to evaluate the supply and demand for these 

loans in a timely manner, thus reducing EPA’s ability to meet the needs of borrowers looking to 

finance energy efficiency measures as well as the needs of its lender Partners looking to make 

more energy efficiency mortgages. Lender Partners participating in the ENERGY STAR

Mortgage Pilot Program submit to EPA the number of ENERGY STAR mortgages written after 

the first three months of participation as well as once every 12 months. Less frequent collection 

would not give EPA the ability to adequately monitor lenders’ participation in the pilot program 

as well assess the level of market penetration of these loans in order to determine whether to 

continue with the program as a pilot or as a full program offering.

Commitment Form for Regional Energy Efficiency Program Sponsors (REEPS)

The commitment form submitted to EPA by REEPS upon joining ENERGY STAR is 

done on a one-time basis; less frequent collection is not possible.

Implementation Plan for Home Performance with ENERGY STAR 

A plan for implementing Home Performance with ENERGY STAR is submitted by

Partners on a one-time basis; less frequent collection is not possible. A plan is necessary to 

confirm that the program sponsor will implement a program that meets Home Performance with 

ENERGY STAR guidelines. 

Implementation Plan for ENERGY STAR HVAC Quality Installation Partners

A plan for implementing an ENERGY STAR HVAC Quality Installation Program is 

submitted by Partners on a one-time basis; less frequent collection is not possible. A plan is 

necessary to confirm that the program sponsor will implement a program that meets the 

ENERGY STAR HVAC Quality Installation program guidelines. 

Web Designs and Materials

ENERGY STAR Partners agree to submit Web sites and printed material that use the 

ENERGY STAR logo to EPA for review on an as-needed basis. Less frequent collection would 
- - 21

not allow EPA to effectively monitor and protect the use of the ENERGY STAR logos and brand 

name. 

Contractor Test-out Report

Contractors participating in a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program or an 

ENERGY STAR HVAC Quality Installation program will complete a test-out report to 

document important verification information for completed jobs. The reports for each program 

are different. The Test-out Report is collected by the program sponsor or designated quality

assurance provider for review and confirmation. Less frequent collection is not feasible because 

every job is unique and verification is essential to maintain the integrity of the program.

EVALUATION

EPA will ask selected Partners to provide feedback on their participation in promoting 

ENERGY STAR in the residential sector, on ENERGY STAR’s impact on the market for energy

efficient homes and home improvement solutions, and on ENERGY STAR’s policies and 

outreach initiatives. EPA expects to collect information on these issues an average of once a 

year from selected Partners. Collection of information any less frequent than this would greatly

reduce the robustness and timeliness of the information, thus minimizing EPA’s ability to serve 

the needs of its Partners and to maximize the energy savings and pollution reductions that are 

possible via voluntary partnerships with organizations within the residential construction and 

home improvement sectors. It would also hinder EPA’s ability to quantify the economic and 

environmental costs and benefits associated with building ENERGY STAR qualified homes and 

improving the energy efficiency of existing homes. This information is used by EPA to 

determine its progress in reducing energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions via ENERGY 

STAR Partnerships. 

EPA will, when granted permission by a homeowner, collect utility bill data from 

servicing utilities for 13 months after initial occupancy for new homes and 13 months before and 

after energy efficiency home improvements are completed. This activity will be completed once 

in no more than three locations per year. Less frequent reporting is not possible to empirically

verify the actual energy savings of the program.

QUARTERLY REPORTING 

Quarterly reports are submitted each calendar quarter. Less frequent collection would 

cause delays in tracking the number of ENERGY STAR qualified homes built, which would 

prevent EPA from having a robust database of up-to-date information on the number of 

ENERGY STAR qualified homes built, the amount of energy reduced, and the amount of 

greenhouse gases removed from the air. This in turn would cause the ENERGY STAR Web site, 

which displays information contained in the database, to be outdated. It would also prevent EPA 

from effectively protecting the ENERGY STAR brand because it would not have access to 

current data used to determine active Partners who are actively promoting ENERGY STAR 

versus inactive Partners who are not promoting ENERGY STAR. 
- - 22

Quarterly reports are submitted by each Home Performance with ENERGY STAR and 

HVAC Quality Installation Partner. This information is necessary for EPA to evaluate the 

success and performance of each Partner and to update the Web site to reflect program changes. 

Less frequent collection would prevent EPA from effectively protecting the ENERGY STAR 

brand because it would not have access to current data used to determine active Partners who are 

actively promoting ENERGY STAR versus inactive Partners who are not promoting ENERGY 

STAR.

ENERGY STAR AWARDS

The ENERGY STAR award applications are submitted to EPA on an annual basis. Less 

frequent collection would prevent EPA from obtaining current year information on Partners and 

would prevent EPA from providing annual public recognition to outstanding Partners. 

OUTREACH PARTNERSHIP

The Outreach Partnership commitment form is submitted to EPA on an annual basis in 

conjunction with each year’s ENERGY STAR for Homes outreach campaign. Less frequent 

collection would prevent Partners from participating in the partnership each year and from 

gaining annual public recognition from this participation. 

3(e) General Guidelines

Information collections performed under this clearance will follow all of OMB's General 

Guidelines regarding federal data collection.

This ICR is requesting clearance for a number of EPA forms. They are used by

respondents on a regular basis and made publicly available in different locations (e.g., various 

web pages) in both electronic and hardcopy format. Because of these factors, it is difficult for 

EPA to update the expiration date of OMB approval on all of them on a continual basis. EPA is 

therefore requesting that it be relieved of the requirement to include an expiration date on the 

forms in this ICR.

3(f) Confidentiality

Participation in the ENERGY STAR Program is voluntary and may be terminated 

by participants or EPA at any time. If a claim of confidential business information (CBI) is 

asserted, EPA will manage that information in accordance with EPA’s provisions on 

confidentiality. 40 CFR Part 2, Subpart B establishes EPA’s general policy on the public 

disclosure of information and procedures for handling CBI claims.

3(g) Sensitive Questions

The information collections do not ask sensitive questions, such as those pertaining to 

sexual attitudes or behavior or religious beliefs. No questions of a sensitive nature are asked of 

participants with ENERGY STAR.
- - 23

4. THE RESPONDENTS AND THE INFORMATION REQUESTED

4(a) Respondents and SIC Codes

Respondents for this information collection request include Partners in ENERGY STAR. 

Partners include homebuilders, verification organizations, lenders, utilities, and regional energy

efficiency program sponsors, The following is a list of Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 

codes and corresponding North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes for 

industry segments which may be affected by information collections covered under this ICR for 

the ENERGY STAR Program. 

SIC NAICS Industries

1521 233320 General Contractors-Single-Family Houses

1522 233220 General Contractors-Residential Buildings, Other Than SingleFamily Industry

1531 233210, Operative Builders

233310

1541 233310 General Contractors-Industrial Buildings and Warehouses

1542 233320 General Contractors-Nonresidential Buildings, Other than 

Industrial Buildings and Warehouses

1711 235110 Plumbing, Heating And Air-conditioning 

1721 235210 Painting and Paper Hanging Industry Group 

1731 235310 Electrical Work

1741 235410 Masonry, Stone Setting, and Other Stone Work

1742 235420 Plastering, Drywall, Acoustical, and Insulation Work

1743 235430 Terrazzo, Tile, Marble, and Mosaic Work Industry Group 

1751 235510 Carpentry Work

1752 235520 Floor Laying and Other Floor Work, Not Elsewhere Classified

1761 235610 Roofing, Siding, and Sheet Metal Work Industry Group 

1771 235710 Concrete Work Industry Group 

1781 235810 Water Well Drilling

1791 235910 Structural Steel Erection

1793 235920 Glass and Glazing Work

1794 235930 Excavation Work

1795 235940 Wrecking and Demolition Work

1796 235950 Installation or Erection of Building Equipment, Not Elsewhere

1799 235990 Special Trade Contractors, Not Elsewhere Classified

4911 221122, Electric Services 

221121

4922 486210 Natural Gas Transmission

4923 221210 Natural Gas Transmission and Distribution

4924 221210 Natural Gas Distribution

4925 221210 Mixed, Manufactured, or Liquefied Petroleum Gas Production 

and/or

4931 221112, Electric and Other Services Combined
- - 24

221111,

221113,

221119

4932 221210 Gas and Other Services Combined

4939 221112, Combination Utilities, Not Elsewhere Classified

221122

4961 221330 Steam And Air-conditioning Supply

6021 522110 National Commercial Banks

6022 522190 State Commercial Banks

6029 522110 Commercial Banks, Not Elsewhere Classified

6035 522120 Savings Institutions, Federally Chartered

6036 522120 Savings Institutions, Not Federally Chartered

6061 522130 Credit Unions, Federally Chartered

6062 522130 Credit Unions, Not Federally Chartered

6111 522294 Federal and Federally-Sponsored Credit Agencies

6162 522390 Mortgage Bankers and Loan Correspondents

522292

6163 522310 Loan Brokers

6531 531320 Real Estate Agents and Managers

7389 541350 Business Services Not Elsewhere Classified

7623 811412 Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Service and Repair Shops

8712 541310 Architectural Services

9531 925110 Administration of Housing Programs

9532 925120 Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural 

Development

4(b) Information Requested

The information collected by EPA differs depending on the specific collection activity as 

well as the respondent type. Therefore, this section describes the data items used and the 

associated respondent activities based on the respondent type within each major collection 

activity.

JOINING THE ENERGY STAR PROGRAM AND RELATED ACTIVITIES

Organizations interested in joining ENERGY STAR as Partners are asked to submit a 

Partnership Agreement describing their commitment to promoting ENERGY STAR qualified 

homes and residential energy efficiency. They also may be asked or encouraged to undertake 

related activities, as described below. 

Home Builders

This Partner group includes production home builders, custom home builders, 

manufactured home builders, modular home builders, and developers. Organizations of all sizes 

are encouraged to join the Program. Partners make a commitment to building and selling 

ENERGY STAR qualified homes.
- - 25

(i) Data Items

 A Partnership Agreement that includes the following information:

 Organization’s name, address, phone number, fax number, and Web site;

 Major metro areas served;

 Name, title, phone number, and e-mail of the Marketing/Sales contact;

 Name, title, phone number, and e-mail of the Purchasing/Construction 

contact;

 Name, title, e-mail, and signature of the authorized company

representative, and date of signature;

 Type of home builder (site-built, developer, or manufactured home 

builder;

 Average number of homes built per year;

 Initials of the signatory indicating the selection of the 100 percent 

commitment (optional);

 Initials of the signatory indicating the selection of the Advanced Lighting 

Package (ALP) (optional); and

 Initials of the signatory indicating the selection of the Indoor Air Package 

(IAP) (optional)

 Source of referral to ENERGY STAR program

 Manufactured and modular home builder Partners undergo a plant 

certification process as part of their ENERGY STAR partnership that 

culminates in the completion of a supplemental manufacturing plant 

certification form that includes the following:

 Name, address, phone number, e-mail, fax number of the plant certifier;

 Signature of plant certifier;

 Date of signature;

 Name and address of the manufacturing plant;

 Method used for achieving certification;

 Indication that ENERGY STAR qualified homes were tested in the plant 

and in the field

 Indication that a site installation checklist was completed for each 

ENERGY STAR home

 Indication that the plant has incorporated necessary quality control 

measures to consistently produce ENERGY STAR qualified homes

 As part of their partnership agreement, manufactured and modular home 

partners agree to field inspect the energy efficiency features of their homes. 

This involves collecting and maintaining information about their ENERGY 

STAR qualified homes including:

 Information about the ENERGY STAR design features of the home;

 Model number, serial number, owner, retailer, and location of each 

qualified home;
- - 26

 Date home was installed;

 Site installation checklists and homes completion reports for all qualified 

homes home that identify items in the ENERGY STAR design package 

and that were installed and verified at the time of home installation in the 

field;

 Reports of nonconformance with ENERGY STAR design and installation 

standards and corrective actions taken;

 Results of random field inspections conducted by third-party consultant

 

 Site-built homebuilders contract with verification organizations to collect 

energy efficiency data on each ENERGY STAR qualified home they build, 

including:

 Level of air leakage for the whole house

 Level of air leakage through the duct system

 Window to floor area ratio

 Description of insulation levels, windows, HVAC equipment

 Predicted level of energy use for heating, cooling, and water heating

(ii) Respondent Activities

 To join ENERGY STAR, organizations are asked to:

 Review all instructions and commitments of the Partnership Agreement;

 Enter data into the Online Partnership Agreement via the ENERGY STAR 

Web site;

 Complete, electronically sign, and date the Partnership Agreement; and

 Submit the completed Partnership Agreement to EPA via internet

 As a related activity, manufactured and modular home plant partners:

 Download a plant certification form from the Web;

 Complete the plant certification form; and 

 Submit the supplemental plant certification form to an EPA-approved 

third-party quality assurance provider via fax, e-mail, or regular mail.

 As a related activity, manufactured and modular home builder partners collect 

and maintain information on each home that receives the ENERGY STAR 

label, including site installation information and results from random field 

checks.

 As a related activity, builders of site-built homes contract with verification 

organizations to collect energy efficiency data on each ENERGY STAR 

qualified home. This entails:

 inputting information about the home’s energy efficiency characteristics 

into a computer

 generating a summary report

 completion of the thermal bypass checklist
- - 27

Architects/Home Plan Designers

This Partner group includes production architects and home plan designers who prepare 

architectural plans for residential construction projects. Organizations of all sizes are 

encouraged to join the Program. Partners make a commitment to including energy efficient 

details on home plans in an effort to earn the Designed to Earn ENERGY STAR mark.

(i) Data Items

 A Partnership Agreement that includes the following information:

 Organization’s name, address, phone number, fax number, and Web site;

 Major metro areas served;

 Name, title, phone number, and e-mail of the Marketing/Sales contact;

 Name, title, e-mail, and signature of the authorized company

representative, and date of signature;

 Average number of plans completes per year;

 Source of referral to ENERGY STAR program

 Architects/Home Plan Designers contract with verification organizations to 

verify energy efficiency criteria on each home plan for which they are seeking 

the Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR label. Data items collected as part 

of this process include:

 Projected HERS rating or ENERGY STAR BOP checklist

 Level of air leakage through the duct system

 ENERGY STAR Thermal Bypass Checklist with all N/A items checked

 Note stating that field verification by an EPA-approved verifier is required 

for the home to earn the ENERGY STAR

 Note stating that space cooling system sizing calculations must be 

provided and verified for the home to earn the ENERGY STAR

 Wall sections delineating complete thermal boundary of home

 Tight construction details and performance specifications

 Thermal Bypass Checklist air barrier installation details and/or 

specifications

 Proper insulation installation details and performance specifications

 R-values of insulation assemblies

 Window and door specifications

 Water heater specifications

 Heating and cooling equipment specifications

 Tight duct details and performance specifications and/or layout for 

ductwork and air handlers in conditioned space

 Required ENERGY STAR qualified products

 Critical plans and trade details in languages appropriate to the prevailing 

trade labor pool is recommended, but not required
- - 28

(ii) Respondent Activities

 To join ENERGY STAR, organizations are asked to:

 Enter data into the Online Partnership Agreement via the ENERGY STAR 

Web site;

 Review all instructions and commitments of the Partnership Agreement;

 Complete, electronically sign, and date the Partnership Agreement; and

 Submit the completed Partnership Agreement to EPA via internet

Verification Organization Partners

This Partner group includes organizations involved in independently verifying that homes 

meet ENERGY STAR guidelines for residential energy efficiency. They act as third-party, 

independent providers of home energy rating services. There are two main types of verification 

organization Partners that participate in ENERGY STAR: certified home energy raters and 

accredited home energy rating providers. Another type is a quality assurance provider, which 

acts as a third-party, independent quality assurance provider for manufacturing plants that 

produce ENERGY STAR qualified manufactured and modular homes.

(i) Data Items

 A Partnership Agreement that includes the following information:

 Organization’s name, address, phone number, fax number, and Web site;

 Major metro areas served;

 Name, title, phone number, and e-mail of the marketing/sales contact;

 Name, title, phone number, and e-mail of the purchasing/construction 

contact;

 Name, title, e-mail, and signature of the authorized company 

representative, and date of signature;

 Whether they are a home energy rater or rating provider. If a rater, they

are asked to provide the name of their associated rating provider

 Source of referral to ENERGY STAR program

 A home energy rating report or relevant Builder Option Package (BOP) for 

any qualified home upon EPA’s request that includes, at a minimum, the 

following:

 Name of the home builder;

 Address of the home;

 Name of the home energy rater;

 Date of home energy rating; and

 Numerical home energy rating assigned to the home
- - 29

(ii) Respondent Activities

 To join ENERGY STAR, organizations are asked to:

 Enter data into the Online Partnership Agreement via the ENERGY STAR 

Web site;

 Review all instructions and commitments of the Partnership Agreement;

 Complete, electronically sign, and date the Partnership Agreement; and

 Submit the completed Partnership Agreement to EPA via internet

 As a related activity, the Partner verifies the energy efficiency of homes by 

collecting data on the home and summarizing findings in a rating report

 As a related activity, the Partner makes a copy of a home energy rating 

report or relevant Builder Option Package (BOP) for any qualified home 

and fax, mail, or e-mail it to EPA upon request by EPA. This report 

contains information about a home’s energy efficiency for heating, 

cooling, and water heating.

 As a related activity, quality assurance providers for manufactured and 

modular homes verify the energy efficiency of these homes and collect 

and maintain information collected during the plant certification process 

and during random periodic inspections of plants.

Lenders 

This Partner group commits to deliver energy efficient mortgages (EEMs) to buyers of 

energy efficient homes such as ENERGY STAR qualified homes, and ENERGY STAR 

mortgages to homeowners wishing to either buy an ENERGY STAR qualified home or finance 

energy efficiency improvements to an existing home. EEMs use the present value of future 

utility bill savings to provide loan applicants more favorable loan terms, allowing them to qualify

for a larger loan and to finance a more energy efficient home. An ENERGY STAR Mortgage 

provides borrowers with a performance-based financial incentive (i.e. reduced interest rate, 

closing cost discount) for reducing their home’s energy use by a specified amount.. 

(i) Data Items

 A Partnership Agreement that includes the following information:

 Organization’s name, phone number, and Web site;

 States served;

 Types of Energy Efficient Mortgages or ENERGY STAR mortgages 

offered;

 Description of methods to be used to promote EEMs and/or ENERGY 

STAR Mortgages;

 Name, title, address, phone number, fax number, e-mail, and signature of the 

authorized company representative; and

 Date of signature

 
- - 30

(ii) Respondent Activities

 

 To join ENERGY STAR, organizations are asked to:

 Download the Partnership Agreement from ENERGY STAR’s Web site;

 Review the instructions and commitments of the Partnership Agreement;

 Complete, sign, and date the Partnership Agreement; and

 Return the Partnership Agreement to EPA via email

 A related activity is providing a copy of one home energy rating report or 

other documentation used by the lender to verify energy savings for 

underwriting write an EEM

 A related activity is providing every 12 months a copy of at least three 

home energy rating reports or other documentation used by the lender to 

verify energy savings for underwriting at least three EEMs or ENERGY 

STAR Mortgages

 A related activity is providing an annual update on the number of EEMs 

and/or ENERGY STAR mortgages written

 A related activity for lenders participating in the ENERGY STAR 

Mortgage Pilot Program is providing copies of loan files and proof of 

origination, funding, and escrow capabilities to EPC for review and 

approval as part of lender approval process

 A related activity for lenders participating in the ENERGY STAR 

Mortgage Pilot Program is providing to EPC copies of loan files and list of 

originated loans as part of undergoing a lender review after the first three 

months of participation

 A related activity for lenders participating in the ENERGY STAR 

Mortgage Pilot Program is to collect information from borrowers needed 

to originate and underwrite ENERGY STAR Mortgages including copies 

of energy efficiency audit reports. 

Regional Energy Efficiency Program Sponsor (REEPS) Partners

This Partner group includes utilities; national, regional, State, or local government 

entities; or other organizations involved in coordinating and/or administering an energyefficiency program or environmental education campaign that promotes or intends to promote 

ENERGY STAR qualified homes.

(i) Data Items

 A Partnership Agreement that includes the following information:

 Signatory’s name, title, address, country, phone number, fax number, email, and Web site;

 Signature of the authorized company representative; and

 Date of signature

 A Commitment Form that includes the following information:
- - 31

 Partner’s name;

 Date of commitment;

 Up to four (at least one is needed) contact names, titles, addresses, phone 

numbers, fax numbers, and e-mails; and

 The designated ENERGY STAR program areas to be promoted (i.e. New 

Homes)

(ii) Respondent Activities

 To join ENERGY STAR, organizations are asked to:

 Download the Partnership Agreement and Commitment Form from 

ENERGY STAR’s Web site;

 Review the instructions and commitments of the Partnership Agreement 

and Commitment Form;

 Complete the Partnership Agreement and Commitment Form; and

 Return the Partnership Agreement and Commitment Form to EPA via 

email or fax.

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Partners - Sponsors

This participant group consists of utilities, state agencies, and local associations who 

sponsor and promote a program of whole house, building science-based improvements to 

existing homes. The program should emphasize a bona fide whole house approach, facilitation 

of the installation of recommended measures, diagnostic testing, and quality assurance. 

(i) Data Items

 A Partnership Agreement that includes the following information:

 Program name, organization’s name, program contact name, address, 

phone number, fax number, email address, and Web site URL, and major 

metro areas served;

 Name, title, and signature of the authorized partner representative

 A related item is a written plan for implementing a program meeting the 

criteria for Home Performance with ENERGY STAR that includes the 

following:

 description of how contractors will perform the whole house evaluation 

and link improvements to capable contractors;

 description of a quality assurance plan; and 

 description of how Partner will utilize the ENERGY STAR brand and 

logos to promote its Program

 A related item is Web content and other marketing materials featuring 

ENERGY STAR

 A related item is quarterly updates on the following market indicators:

 contact information for each participating contractor;
- - 32

 number of jobs completed by each contractor;

 number of jobs inspected for each contractor;

 A related item is updated contact information for participating contractors

 

(ii) Respondent Activities

 To join ENERGY STAR, organizations are asked to:

 Download the partnership agreement from ENERGY STAR’s Web site;

 Review the instructions and commitments of the Partnership Agreement;

 Complete, sign, and date the Partnership Agreement; and

 Return the Partnership Agreement to EPA via email or fax

 A related activity is developing and submitting to EPA electronically or on 

paper, a written plan to implement a program that meets the criteria for 

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR

 A related activity is submitting Web designs and marketing materials that use 

ENERGY STAR logos or messaging for EPA review

 A related activity is providing electronically, on a quarterly basis, market 

data that quantifies the success and performance of the program including 

the quantity of energy efficient home improvement projects completed and 

inspections for quality assurance 

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Partners - Contractors 

This participant group consists of home energy auditors and trade or remodeling 

contractors that participate in the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program.

(i) Data Items

 A Partnership Agreement (only for contractors in the Contractor Partnership 

pilot) that includes the following information:

 Organization’s name, contact name, address, phone number, fax number, 

Email address, Web site URL and major metro area served;

 Name, title, Email address, phone and signature of the authorized partner 

representative

 A related item is Web content and other marketing materials featuring 

ENERGY STAR

(ii) Respondent Activities

 To join ENERGY STAR, organizations are asked to:

 Download the partnership agreement from ENERGY STAR’s Web site;

 Review the instructions and commitments of the Partnership Agreement;

 Complete, sign, and date the Partnership Agreement; and

 Return the Partnership Agreement to EPA via email or fax

 
- - 33

HVAC Quality Installation Program Partners

This participant group consists of utilities, and state and local agencies that sponsor and 

promote a program that verifies that HVAC contractors install heating and air conditioning 

equipment to meet ANSI approved quality installation standards. The program typically 

includes training for HVAC contractors.

(i) Data Items

 A Partnership Agreement that includes the following information:

 Organization’s name, program contact name, address, phone number, fax 

number, email address and Web site URL;

 Name, title, and signature of the authorized partner representative

 A related item is a written plan for implementing an ENERGY STAR HVAC 

Quality Installation Program

 A related item is Web content and other marketing materials featuring 

ENERGY STAR

 A related item is quarterly updates on the following market indicators:

 the number of participating contractors, 

 the number of installations completed, 

 the number of installations inspected, 

 the number of installations that failed verification 

 the reasons and resolution of installations that failed verification 

 the number of certificates issued. 

 A related item is contact information for participating contractors

(ii) Respondent Activities

 To join ENERGY STAR, organizations are asked to:

 Download the partnership agreement from ENERGY STAR’s Web site;

 Review the instructions and commitments of the Partnership Agreement;

 Complete, sign, and date the Partnership Agreement; and

 Return the Partnership Agreement to EPA via email or fax

 A related activity is developing and submitting to EPA electronically or on 

paper, a written plan to implement a program that meets the criteria for an 

ENERGY STAR HVAC Quality Installation Program

 A related activity is submitting Web designs and marketing materials that use 

ENERGY STAR logos or messaging for EPA review

 A related activity is providing electronically, on a quarterly basis, market data 

that quantifies the success and performance of the program, 

 A related activity is providing EPA updates to contractor contact information 

when changes occur 

 
- - 34

EVALUATION

EPA utilizes information collected from Partners and others in the home construction and 

improvement sectors to evaluate the impact of ENERGY STAR on the building, selling, and 

promotion of energy efficient new homes and the improvement of existing homes. This is to 

ensure that ENERGY STAR maximizes its ability to transform the market for energy efficient 

homes, and maintains its unique value in the marketplace as the symbol for energy efficient 

homes and products. The only way to do this is to evaluate how ENERGY STAR is being 

utilized and perceived within the residential sector by collecting feedback from those within the 

industry.

Partners

EPA may contact Partners and other participants periodically to request their feedback 

about ENERGY STAR’s impact on their own organization, on the market for energy efficient 

homes, on residential energy consumption, or feedback on the ENERGY STAR program itself. 

Note that EPA has identified specific areas for evaluation. However, it has not yet developed 

specific questions or methods for collecting the information. EPA will determine these 

parameters based on a range of considerations (e.g., the type and number of Partners to be 

contacted, the number of questions to be asked, and the nature of the questions) at such time that 

it seeks to collect the information. EPA believes feedback about ENERGY STAR’s impact on 

the residential sector and feedback about the ENERGY STAR Program itself is essential for the 

Agency to ensure that the Program effectively meets Partners’ needs and the Agency’s goals of 

reducing residential energy consumption and air pollution.

(i) Data Items

 Verbal or written responses (either on paper or electronically) to EPA’s 

questions on issues that include, but are not limited to:

 How the prospective ENERGY STAR partner learned about the program 

(how heard of);

 Random Infrared camera diagnostic evaluation to determine the 

effectiveness of the ENERGY STAR Qualified homes standards;

 How the ENERGY STAR label impacted home owner purchasing 

decisions

 Differences in utility bill savings and energy savings for ENERGY STAR 

and non-ENERGY STAR qualified homes; 

 Utility bill information for ENERGY STAR Qualified home in 

conjunction with RemRate .blg file data 

 ENERGY STAR’s effectiveness in meeting the needs of Partners who are 

key to the Program’s success;

 Reasons why some Partners do not actively promote ENERGY STAR;

 The effectiveness of the online reporting tool (HOST) in capturing 

Partners’ activity each quarter in qualifying homes for the ENERGY 

STAR label;
- - 35

 The market for energy efficient mortgages and other loans for making 

energy improvements to existing homes;

 Verifying the presence of staff who are knowledgeable about ENERGY 

STAR and their organization’s ENERGY STAR-related promotions and 

incentives;

 Current incentive programs being used by REEPS and lender Partners to 

promote ENERGY STAR in the residential sector;

 The effectiveness of the Do It Yourself Guide for energy efficient home 

improvements;

 The effectiveness of outreach initiatives such as the Sales Training, 

Marketing Toolkit, Outreach Partnership, and Home Performance with 

ENERGY STAR outreach materials

 Home Performance with ENERGY STAR customer studies:

 How satisfied was the homeowner with the following aspects of the work 

completed.

o Information from initial energy audit

o Listened to my concerns and goals

o Explanation of work to be done and why

o Quality of work done

o Speed and timeliness of work

o Clean up after work done

o Overall satisfaction with work done

 How did the homeowner hear abut this contractor? 

 Would the homeowner recommend this contractor or Home Performance 

with ENERGY STAR to a friend?

(ii) Respondent Activities

 Partners would be asked to respond to EPA questions concerning the above 

data items, either verbally via phone or in written format.

Homeowners 

This participant group includes all homeowners and organizations that choose to use the 

Home Energy Yardstick to benchmark and monitor residential energy performance. 

Homeowners and organizations benefit directly from this activity. Homeowners can obtain a 

user account to save their data and monitor their energy use. Homeowners may be featured in 

case studies on the ENERGY STAR Web site when they provide information about how they

improved the energy efficiency of their home. This group also includes a number of 

homeowners (less than 500 in any one market) who would receive a utility bill release form in 

the mail or directly from their contractor, builder or rater and asked to allow EPA to collect 

energy billing data from their utility companies in order to complete a program impact evaluation 

study. Respondents would need to complete, sign, and return the permission form.
- - 36

(i) Data Items

 To use the Home Energy Yardstick homeowners enter the following 

information.

 Zip Code of the home

 Number of people living in the home

 The square footage of the home

 Indicate the type of fuels used to heat the home

 Annual or monthly energy use and costs for a consecutive 12 month 

period

 Date that consecutive 12 month period begins

 Email address to create an account to save information 

 Homeowners featured in case studies provide the following information

 Name

 City and State

 Annual Energy Saved

 Project Cost

 Project Professionals

 Energy use before and after the project

 Yardstick Score before and after the project

 Actions taken to save energy

 Homeowners receiving a utility bill release form provide the following 

information

 Name and signature

 City and State

 Utility/Fuel Supplier name and account number

 Utility bill data from servicing utilities for 13 months after initial 

occupancy for new homes and 13 months before and after energy

efficiency home improvements are completed

(ii) Respondent Activities

 To use the Yardstick homeowners visit the ENERGY STAR Web site and 

enter data online.

 To be featured in case studies on the ENERGY STAR Web site homeowners 

complete a Home Improvement profile form.

 Complete and mail utility bill release form
- - 37

QUARTERLY REPORTING

In order for EPA to track Partners’ level of activity and give them credit for the 

ENERGY STAR qualified homes they build, label, and/or sponsor, EPA collects basic 

information each calendar quarter about the number of qualified homes that Partners have built, 

labeled, and/or sponsored. 

(i) Data Items

 For each qualified home or Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR qualified 

home plan, submission of the following data by rating provider partners and 

quality assurance provider partners (for manufactured and modular homes) 

via the Homes Online Submittal Tool (HOST) (www.energystar.gov/host), 

EPA’s online reporting tool for ENERGY STAR qualified homes:

 Name of the home builder Partner;

 Name of the Architect/home plan designer (only for Designed to Earn)

 Name of the certified rater Partner, if applicable;

 Name of the accredited rating provider Partner;

 Name of the retailer (only for manufactured and modular homes);

 Name of the developer Partner, if applicable; 

 Name of the Regional Energy Efficiency Program Sponsor (REEPS);

 Program or other sponsoring organizations , if applicable;

 Name of the manufacturing or modular plant Partner, if applicable;

 City and state of the home;

 Rating method used to qualify the home; and

 Number of ENERGY STAR qualified homes labeled

 Number of home plans that earned the Designed to Earn the ENERGY 

STAR label (only for Designed to Earn)

 Partners have the option of requesting additional supplies of ENERGY 

STAR labels for homes via HOST. This entails entering the number of each 

type of label needed. 

 For 2009, Partners will manually provide data on the number of home plans 

that earn the Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR label. After 2011, this 

data will be submitted electronically via HOST.

 For 2009, Partners will manually provide data on the number of qualified 

homes built containing the ENERGY STAR Indoor Air Package (IAP). 

After 2010 this data will be submitted electronically via HOST.

 Home Performance with ENERGY STAR and HVAC Quality Installation 

Partner will submit a spreadsheet quarterly with the following information: 

o Home Performance with ENERGY STAR quarterly reports
- - 38

 contact information for each participating contractor;

 number of jobs completed by each contractor

 number of jobs inspected by each contractor

o A related activity is participating contractors submitting test-out 

reports for each home improved to the program sponsor or designated 

quality assurance organization

o ENERGY STAR HVAC Quality Installation quarterly reports

 the number of participating contractors, 

 the number of installations completed, 

 the number of installations inspected, 

 the number of installations that failed verification 

 the reasons and resolution of installations that failed 

verification 

 the number of certificates issued

 contact information for participating contractors

o A related activity is participating contractors submitting test-out 

reports for each home improved to the program sponsor or designated 

quality assurance organization

(ii) Respondent Activities

 To submit quarterly reports to EPA via HOST (www.energystar.gov/HOST) 

Rating Provider and Quality Assurance Provider Partners are asked to:

 Go to the Internet and login to HOST using a unique username and 

password that was e-mailed to the contact person;

 Read the welcome screen and continue onto the data entry screen;

 Input the data requested by navigating through HOST’s data entry and 

edit screens;

 Submit quarterly report data to EPA for review and approval; and

 Enter the number of ENERGY STAR labels needed, if applicable

 For 2009, Partners will manually provide data on the number of home plans 

that the Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR label. After 2011, this data 

will be submitted electronically via HOST.

 Home Performance with ENERGY STAR partners and HVAC Quality 

Installation partners will manually submit data on the number of completed 

projects or verified installations. This will be provided in a spreadsheet 

template and emailed to EPA.
- - 39

ENERGY STAR AWARDS

Organizations interested in receiving recognition for their efforts in building, qualifying, 

and/or sponsoring ENERGY STAR qualified homes may submit an application for an ENERGY

STAR Award. These awards are handed out annually by EPA during the annual ENERGY 

STAR awards ceremony. 

(i) Data Items

 An application package that includes print and electronic versions of:

 Organization’s name, address, Web address, primary contact’s name, 

title, e-mail, phone, and fax;

 Communications contact person’s name, phone, e-mail, and fax;

 Organization’s headquarters address if different than organization;

 Partner type;

 Market penetration of qualified homes;

 Total number of qualified homes labeled;

 Percentage of homes built that are ENERGY STAR;

 Percentage of housing starts in market area that earn the ENERGY 

STAR label;

 A description, in both qualitative and quantitative terms, of the 

organization’s contributions in promoting ENERGY STAR in the 

residential sector. This includes examples of how the ENERGY STAR 

logo has been used, examples of how the organization has measured the 

impact of ENERGY STAR on their business, and how it has used 

ENERGY STAR in other areas if applicable;

 Supporting documentation that illustrates the organization’s level of 

activity in promoting ENERGY STAR. This may include photos, CDROM, video; and

 Dated signature of organization’s representative 

 Partners that sponsor a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR 

program will submit a final annual report that summarizes contractor 

recruitment/training activities, quality assurance activities, marketing 

activities, and future program plans. This report should be less than three 

pages and can be used as part of a Partner’s application for an ENERGY 

STAR Award.

(ii) Respondent Activities

 Download the appropriate application form from ENERGY STAR’s Web 

site; and

 Complete and submit the application form and supporting materials via mail 

or courier. Supporting materials includes electronic copies of the 

organization’s logos in EPS format.
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OUTREACH PARTNERSHIP

Partners have the option of participating in an outreach partnership, whereby Partners 

contribute resources to the development and distribution of a public outreach and education 

campaign about ENERGY STAR qualified homes. A one page commitment form is completed 

by the Partners and submitted to EPA. This form requests Partner contact information as well as 

the amount of resources to be provided and details about the type of media to be used for the 

outreach campaign. It also asks Partners to submit a corporate logo for inclusion in the outreach 

materials. EPA prepares a print campaign that partners use to co-brand with ENERGY STAR.

The outreach partnership involves coordination and implementation by local Partners to 

develop and distribute the outreach materials as well as recruit showrooms. EPA works closely 

with Partners in interested markets to help facilitate a successful campaign.

(i) Data Items

 A Commitment Form that includes:

 City where the outreach partnership campaign will run;

 Total dollars to be contributed collectively by all partners;

 Number of participating builder partners;

 Target start date for the campaign;

 Designated primary point of contact for campaign (including organization 

name, contact name, phone number, fax number, and e-mail); and 

 Designated contact to negotiate rates with publications and invoicing 

(including organization name, contact name, phone number, fax number, 

and e-mail).

(ii) Respondent Activities

 To apply for the outreach partnership, respondents are asked to:

 Download the commitment form from ENERGY STAR’s Web site;

 Review, complete and submit the commitment form via fax;

 Coordinate with other participants and EPA in developing and distributing 

the outreach campaign;

 Review the Outreach Partnership guidelines;

 Coordinate the outreach effort with other participating partners; and

 Submit an electronic version of a corporate logo
- - 41

5. THE INFORMATION COLLECTED—AGENCY ACTIVITIES, COLLECTION 

METHODOLOGY, AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

5(a) Agency Activities

This section describes EPA’s activities under ENERGY STAR for the residential new 

construction and home improvement sectors. Where possible, EPA activities that apply across 

different Partner categories (builders, lenders, verification organizations, REEPS, Home 

Performance Partners) have been grouped together and described as one activity.

JOINING THE ENERGY STAR PROGRAM AND RELATED ACTIVITIES

Partnership Agreement/Commitment Form

 EPA must perform the following activities in distributing, collecting, and reviewing, 

and approving partnership agreements and commitment forms submitted by all 

partner categories under the residential program:

 Review partnership agreements submitted via the online Partner 

Agreement Review Application (PARA) as well as those submitted via 

email or fax (for lender, REEP, Home Performance, and HVAC QI 

partners);

 Contact potential partners and obtain any information missing from the 

online partnership agreement and commitment form;

 Monitor the electronically countersigned partnership agreement via email;

 Enter into iSTAR any partnership agreements submitted via email or fax 

 Make an electronic copy of the countersigned partnership agreement and 

commitment form

 Send an email welcoming the new partner to the program;

 Send a confirmation e-mail containing username and password 

information

Indoor Air Package (IAP) Supplemental Data

 EPA must perform the following activities related to home builders who commit to 

offering ENERGY STAR’s IAP to home buyers:

 Review electronic IAP commitment;

 Contact partners to clarify their IAP commitment if necessary

 Maintain a list of home builders offering the IAP and their contact 

information in the iSTAR database

Manufactured and Modular Housing Plant Certification Form

 Although this form is not collected by EPA, EPA performs the following activities 

related to the certification of manufactured and modular housing plants that undergo 

ENERGY STAR certification:

 Maintain a list of certified plants; and
- - 42

 Provide the EPA-approved Quality Assurance Provider ENERGY STAR 

label stock to distribute to certified plants.

 

Home Energy Rating Reports

 EPA must perform the following activities when requesting copies of home energy

rating reports from all partners:

 Review the report for consistency with current ENERGY STAR 

guidelines for new homes;

 Contact partners involved in building and qualifying the home as 

ENERGY STAR, as well as the home owner, to resolve issues related to 

the energy efficiency of the home; and

 Maintain a record of home owner complaints in the iSTAR database

Update on the Number of Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs) and ENERGY STAR 

Mortgages Written by Lender Partners

 EPA must perform the following activities when requesting updates on the number of 

EEMs and ENERGY STAR Mortgages written:

 Review submitted data; and 

 Enter information into a tracking spreadsheet

Program Implementation Plan for Home Performance with ENERGY STAR

 EPA must perform the following activities when reviewing implementation plans for 

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR or HVAC Quality Installation programs:

 Receive plan via e-mail, mail, or fax;

 Review plan; and

 Contact partner with comments and to discuss collaborative efforts

Web and Other Marketing Materials for Home Performance with ENERGY STAR

 EPA must perform the following activities when reviewing Web content and other 

marketing materials:

 Receive materials via e-mail, mail, or fax;

 Review content and materials; and

 Contact partner with comments within five days of receipt

EVALUATION 

Feedback from Key Partners

 EPA must perform the following activities when obtaining feedback from all key

partners in all partner categories:

 Develop questions;

 Call key homebuilder and verification organization partners and solicit 

feedback;
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 Save feedback electronically in iSTAR database; and

 Apply lessons learned to improve program guidelines and outreach efforts

Contacting Inactive Partners

 EPA must perform the following activities when contacting all inactive partners in all 

partner categories:

 Call inactive partners regarding reasons for their inactivity;

 Update the iSTAR database with new information; and

 Apply lessons learned to improve program guidelines and outreach efforts

Evaluation of Homeowner Satisfaction in ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes

 EPA must perform the following activities:

 Develop questions;

 Solicit and document feedback;

 Save feedback electronically in iSTAR database; and

 Apply lessons learned to improve program guidelines and outreach efforts

Evaluation of Utility Bill Data

 EPA must perform the following activities:

 Facilitate Utility and Home Energy Rater partner participation;

 Send defining criteria to Utility and Home Energy Rater partners;

 Evaluate submitted data; and

 Apply lessons learned to improve program guidelines 

Infrared (IR) Camera Image Evaluation of ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes

 EPA must perform the following activities:

 Develop criteria;

 Facilitate random testing with qualified IR Diagnostic technician;

 Evaluate feedback;

 Apply lessons learned to improve training and program guidelines

Evaluation of How Partners Learned about the Program

 EPA must perform the following activities:

 Develop options for prospective partner to select;

 Request prospective partners selection via OPA;

 Evaluate submitted data; and

 Apply lessons learned to improve program direction

Evaluation of ENERGY STAR Outreach Materials and Initiatives 

 EPA must perform the following activities when contacting all partners categories 

and other participants regarding outreach materials and initiatives:

 Develop questions;

 Solicit and document feedback;

 Summarize feedback; and

 Apply lessons learned to improve program guidelines and outreach efforts
- - 44

Evaluation of HOST Online Reporting System

 EPA must perform the following activities when obtaining HOST feedback from 

verification organization and manufactured housing partners:

 Call partners and solicit and document feedback;

 Summarize feedback from key partners; and

 Apply lessons learned to improve HOST reporting process

Evaluation of REEP Partners’ Knowledge of ENERGY STAR Sponsorship Programs

 EPA must perform the following activities when obtaining feedback from REEP 

partners:

 Develop questions;

 Call partners and solicit and document feedback;

 Summarize feedback from key partners; and

 Save feedback electronically in iSTAR database and on Web site 

Evaluation of Lender Partners’ Promotion of EEMs and Energy Star Mortgages and 

Financing’s Impact on the Demand for Energy Efficient Homes

 EPA must perform the following activities when obtaining feedback from lender 

partners:

 Develop questions;

 Contact key partners and solicit and document feedback;

 Summarize feedback from key partners;

 Save feedback electronically in iSTAR database or other electronic 

format; and

 Apply lessons learned to improve program guidelines and outreach efforts

Evaluation of ENERGY STAR’s Impact on residential energy use:

 EPA must perform the following activities when completing an impact evaluation:

 Identify a subset of homeowners to analyze

 Obtain permission from homeowners to collect energy use histories from 

utilities and energy suppliers.

 Contact utilities and energy suppliers to obtain energy use histories for 

homeowners granted permission.

 Compile and analyze energy use histories to determine the average energy

saving of program participants

QUARTERLY REPORTING

 EPA must perform the following activities with regard to quarterly reports 

submitted by partners:

 Train new partners on using online quarterly report submittal system;

 Contact partners on quarterly basis to request submittal of their quarterly 

report;
- - 45

 Review partner report submissions;

 Contact partner to resolve any errors or issues;

 Make changes to report data if necessary;

 Accept report data into iSTAR;

 Operate and Maintain iSTAR database and Web site;

 Fulfill requests for ENERGY STAR labels, if any; and

ENERGY STAR AWARDS

 EPA must perform the following activities with regard to the ENERGY STAR 

awards:

 Contact key partners to inform them of the annual award application 

process;

 Develop award winner selection criteria;

 Review award applications and supporting materials;

 Summarize application information for all applicants;

 Select award winners; and

 Contact winners and non-winners via phone, e-mail, and mail regarding 

their status and to provide winners information about the award ceremony

OUTREACH PARTNERSHIP

 EPA must perform the following activities with regard to the outreach 

partnership:

 Contact partners to solicit applications for the outreach partnership;

 Review partner applications and select participants;

 Contact partners to coordinate outreach development efforts;

 Review outreach materials; and

 Coordinate with partners in placing outreach materials in mass media.

5(b) Collection Methodology and Management

In collecting and analyzing the information associated with this ICR, EPA will use a 

telephone system, personal computers, and applicable database software. EPA will ensure the 

accuracy and completeness of collected information by reviewing each submittal. EPA will 

enter the information obtained into a database and will aggregate data obtained to monitor the 

progress of participants in improving energy performance.

5(c) Small Entity Flexibility

EPA expects that Small Businesses will participate in the ENERGY STAR Program. 

EPA has designed its report forms to minimize respondent burden while obtaining sufficient and 

accurate information. In addition, the initial agreement to participate in the Program is 

voluntary.
- - 46

5(d) Collection Schedule

JOINING THE ENERGY STAR PROGRAM AND RELATED ACTIVITIES

Partnership Agreement and Commitment Form

EPA collects the partnership agreement and commitment form on a one-time basis from 

organizations seeking to be partners.

Manufactured and Modular Housing Plant Certification Form

EPA does not collect the manufactured or modular housing plant certification forms. 

These forms are collected by an EPA-approved third party quality assurance provider partner 

each time the plant undergoes the plant certification process. It is anticipated this process is a 

one-time only process.

Home Energy Rating Reports

EPA does not collect home energy rating reports for ENERGY STAR qualified homes. 

These reports are written and maintained by the verification organization that verified the 

efficiency of the home. EPA collects home energy rating reports from verification organizations 

only on an as needed basis to assist in resolving questions concerning ENERGY STAR qualified 

homes.

Updates on Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs) and ENERGY STAR Mortgages

EPA expects to collect updates on the number of EEMs and ENERGY STAR Mortgages 

written by lender partners no more than once a year, although during the pilot phase of the 

ENERGY STAR Mortgage program EPA anticipates collecting updates from lenders on the 

number of ENERGY STAR Mortgages written after the first three months of participation.

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Implementation Plan

EPA collects the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR implementation plan on a 

one-time basis.

ENERGY STAR HVAC Quality Installation Implementation Plan

EPA collects the HVAC Quality Installation Implementation plan on a one-time basis.

Web Designs and Outreach Materials

EPA collects Web content and other outreach materials from partners for review and 

approval on an as-needed basis.
- - 47

EVALUATION

EPA may ask selected participants in the ENERGY STAR Program to provide feedback 

on their partnership with ENERGY STAR, on the Program’s guidelines and policies, on the 

Program’s public outreach efforts, and the Program’s impact on the market for energy efficient 

new homes and home improvements. EPA expects to contact organizations not more than once 

per year.

Infrared Testing

EPA expects to conduct infra-red testing of constructed ENERGY STAR Qualified 

homes once per year.

Homeowner Study

EPA expects to collect this information from ENERGY STAR Qualified Home Owners 

on a yearly basis, but only once per home owner. EPA expects to begin collection of this data in 

2011.

Utility Bill Study

EPA expects to collect this information from ENERGY STAR Qualified Home Owners 

on a yearly basis, but only once per home owner. EPA expects to begin collection of this data in 

2011. EPA may ask a number of homeowners (less than 500 in any market) for permission to 

obtain energy use histories from their energy supplier. EPA will work with partners to obtain 

energy use histories from energy suppliers and complete an impact evaluation study. 

Source of Referral to ENERGY STAR

EPA expects to ask partners to provide information once when they submit their 

partnership agreement.

QUARTERLY REPORTING

EPA expects to ask partners to provide information on the number of ENERGY STAR 

qualified homes built, the number of Home Performance improvements completed and the 

number of HVAC Quality Installations on a quarterly basis.

ENERGY STAR AWARDS

Partners interested in receiving recognition for their performance in promoting ENERGY 

STAR in the residential sector may submit an award application each year. 
- - 48

OUTREACH PARTNERSHIP

Partners interested in participating in ENERGY STAR’s public outreach partnership for 

the residential sector may submit an application each year. 

6. ESTIMATING THE BURDEN AND COST OF THE COLLECTION

6(a) Estimating Respondent Burden

Exhibits 1 through 6 estimate the annual respondent burden hours for information 

collection activities associated with the ENERGY STAR Program in the new homes and existing 

homes sectors. 

6(b) Estimating Respondent Costs

Exhibits 1 through 6 present the annual respondent costs for information collection 

activities associated with the ENERGY STAR Program in the new homes and existing homes 

sectors. Specific cost assumptions are discussed below.

(i) Estimating Labor Costs

The labor rates used to estimate costs to respondents were obtained from the U.S. Bureau 

of Labor Statistics. Rates are current as of 2009. Rates reflect the cost of overhead and fringe 

benefits where appropriate. EPA estimates an average respondent hourly labor rate (hourly plus 

overhead and fringe) of $140.26 for legal staff, $101.45 for managerial staff, $69.60 for technical 

staff, and $35.03 for clerical staff. 

(ii) Estimating Capital and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Costs

This ICR includes a total annual capital cost of $16,000. This represents an estimated 

average annual cost of $800 incurred by each manufactured and modular housing plant to modify

and retool plant operations to become certified to produce homes that are ready for ENERGY 

STAR qualification.

Operation and maintenance (O&M) costs are those costs associated with a paperwork 

requirement incurred continually over the life of the ICR. They are defined by the Paperwork 

Reduction Act of 1995 as “the recurring dollar amount of costs associated with O&M or 

purchasing services.” This ICR includes O&M costs for postage (i.e., $0.44 for first class mail) 

for each submittal of a Partnership Agreement and related forms or copy of a utility bill release 

form to EPA by postal mail and a cost for a long distance call (i.e. $0.10) for partners to respond 

to EPA evaluation phone calls and for each submittal of a Partnership Agreement, rating report, 

and ENERGY STAR Award Commitment Form to EPA by fax. 

There is an estimated annual O&M cost of $2.00 for express mailing costs associated 

with submitting application materials for an ENERGY STAR Award, and for mailing timesensitive print materials for the annual outreach partnership. There is also an estimated annual 
- - 49

O&M cost of $50 for mailing costs associated with Home Performance and HVAC QI partners 

submitting program implementation plans. 

6(c) Estimating Agency Burden and Costs

Exhibits 7 through 11 present the annual Agency burden and costs for information 

collection activities associated with the ENERGY STAR Program in the new homes and existing 

homes sectors. The hourly labor rates used in this ICR were obtained from the 2009 GS pay

schedule available from the Office of Personnel Management. EPA estimates an average hourly 

labor cost of $75.50 for legal staff, $70.61 for managerial staff, $51.77 for technical staff, and 

$20.79 for clerical staff. The labor costs are based on the following GS levels and steps: legal 

labor rates were based on GS Level 15, Step 1, managerial labor rates were based on GS Level 

14, Step 4, technical labor rates were based on GS Level 12, Step 5, and clerical labor rates were 

based on GS Level 5, Step 1. To derive hourly estimates, EPA divided annual salary by 2,080, 

which is the number of hours in the Federal work-year. EPA then multiplied hourly rates by the 

standard government overhead factor of 1.6. 

EPA anticipates instances of Agency O&M costs associated with ENERGY STAR for 

Homes information collection activities. EPA anticipates an annual Agency O&M cost of $2.00 

for a long distance phone call to a Partner to obtain information including: missing contact 

information, obtain feedback on the IAP, resolve verification issues, to discuss Home 

Performance implementation plans, provide comments on Web and other marketing materials, 

and obtain feedback from Partners to evaluate program initiatives. EPA also anticipates an 

annual O&M cost of $2.00 to contact Partners concerning participation in the Outreach 

Partnership and their ENERGY STAR award status. EPA also anticipates an annual O&M cost 

of $100 to ship a trophy to each winner of an ENERGY STAR award. Also, EPA anticipates an 

annual O&M cost of $12,000 for operation and maintenance of ENERGY STAR’s partnership 

database and Web site related to the collection and processing of quarterly reports from partners. 

In addition, EPA anticipates an O&M cost of $0.44 to mail a letter of award or loss to Partners 

who submit ENERGY STAR Award applications. 

6(d) Estimating the Respondent Universe

In this section, EPA describes its estimates of the number of respondents carrying out the 

information collections under the ENERGY STAR Program in the new homes and existing 

homes sectors. In developing its estimates, EPA referred to its partnership database (e.g., 

iSTAR) and other documentation in order to understand historical trends in the number of new 

and existing respondents. Based on this understanding, EPA has estimated the average number 

of respondents associated with each of the information collections under the Program. These 

estimates are explained below and reflected in Exhibits 1 through 6.

JOINING THE ENERGY STAR PROGRAM AND RELATED ACTIVITIES AND ENERGY 

STAR MORTGAGE PROGRAM (EXHIBITS 1 AND 6)

Home Builder Partners

EPA estimates that during the three-year life of this ICR, on average, 3,000 home 

builders in the new homes sector will submit Partnership Agreements to EPA each year. 
- - 50

EPA estimates that no more than ten manufactured home builder partners and ten 

modular home builder partners each year will become certified by a quality assurance provider to 

produce ENERGY STAR qualified manufactured and modular homes.

These assumptions are reflected in Exhibit 1.

Architect/Home Plan Designer Partners

EPA estimates that during the three-year life of this ICR, on average, 60 architect/home 

plan designers in the new homes sector will submit Partnership Agreements to EPA each year. 

EPA also estimates that, on average, 10 home plans will be submitted to EPA and will 

earn the Designed to Earn ENERGY STAR label.

These assumptions are reflected in Exhibit 1.

Verification Organization Partners

EPA estimates that, during the three-year life of this ICR, 400 verification organizations 

will submit Partnership Agreements to EPA, on average, each year. 

EPA estimates that, on average, 80,923 site-built homes will be qualified primarily for 

the ENERGY STAR label, with 20,413 of these homes verified via individual energy ratings and 

60,510 homes verified via ENERGY STAR’s analytical protocol in which homes are collectively 

rated. Also, there will be on average 3,000 manufactured homes and 200 modular homes that are 

qualified for the ENERGY STAR label on an annual basis during the three-year life of this ICR. 

EPA estimates that it will ask no more than ten organizations each year to submit home 

energy rating reports.

These assumptions are reflected in Exhibit 1.

Lender Partners

There are currently ten lender partners who promote EEMs and four lender partners who 

promote ENERGY STAR mortgages under the ENERGY STAR mortgage pilot program. EPA 

estimates a growth rate of six lender partners who join to promote EEMs each year and six 

lender partners who join to promote ENERGY STAR mortgages each year. Based on Table 1, 

EPA estimates that 22 lender partners promoting EEMs will be in existence on average during 

this ICR. Based on Table 2, EPA estimates that 16 lender partners promoting ENERGY STAR 

mortgages will be in existence, on average, during the life of this ICR. 
- - 51

Table 1: Number of Lender Partners Promoting EEMs In Existence

During Three-Year Life of ICR

Partners 2010 2011 2012

 Existing 10 16 22

 New 6 6 6

Total 16 22 28

Table 2: Number of Lender Partners Promoting ENERGY STAR Mortgages 

In Existence During Three-Year Life of ICR

Partners 2010 2011 2012

 Existing 4 10 16

 New 6 6 6

Total 10 16 22

EPA assumes all lender partners will report the number of energy efficient mortgages and 

ENERGY STAR Mortgages they write each year. 

These assumptions are reflected in Exhibits 1 and 6.

Regional Energy Efficiency Program Sponsor (REEPS) Partners

EPA estimates that, during the three-year life of this ICR, seven regional energy

efficiency program organizations will submit Partnership Agreements to EPA, on average, each 

year. This assumption is reflected in Exhibit 1.

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Partners - Sponsors

EPA estimates that, during the three-year life of this ICR, eight organizations in the home 

improvement sector will submit Partnership Agreements to EPA, on average, each year. They

also will submit Web designs and materials for EPA review. These assumptions are reflected in 

Exhibit 1.

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Partners - Contractors 

EPA will test a contractor partnership program in Northern Virginia in 2010. EPA 

estimates that, during the three-year life of this ICR, 13 home performance contactors will 

submit Partnership Agreements to EPA, on average, each year. They also will submit Web 

designs and materials for EPA review. These assumptions are reflected in Exhibit 1. 

HVAC Quality Installation Program Partners

EPA estimates that, during the three-year life of this ICR, five organizations in the home 

improvement sector will submit HVAC Quality Installation Partnership Agreements to EPA, on 

average, each year. They also will submit program plans and Web designs for EPA review. 
- - 52

In addition, there are currently 5 active HVAC Quality Installation partners. EPA 

estimates a growth rate of 5 HVAC Quality Installation partners each year. Based on Table 3, 

EPA estimates that 15 HVAC Quality Installation partners will be in existence, on average, 

during the life of this ICR. These 15 partners will submit updated contact information annually.

Table 3: Number of HVAC Quality Installation Partners

In Existence During Three-Year Life of ICR

Partners 2010 2011 2012

 Existing 5 10 15

 New 5 5 5

Total 10 15 20

These assumptions are reflected in Exhibit 1.

EVALUATION (EXHIBIT 2)

Home Builder Partners

EPA anticipates contacting inactive ENERGY STAR partners no more than once a year 

to determine why they are not participating in the program and what steps can be taken to 

improve the program to increase participation and the benefits to partners. EPA estimates that it 

will contact no more than 75 inactive builder partners each year.

In addition, EPA anticipates communicating with home builder partners no more than 

once a year to obtain their feedback on new outreach products and initiatives, such as the 

Outreach Partnership, designed to educate the public about the benefits of ENERGY STAR and 

to increase ENERGY STAR’s market presence in new sectors such as affordable housing and 

high-rise multi-family housing. EPA estimates that it will contact no more than 50 builder 

partners each year.

These assumptions are reflected in Exhibit 2.

Verification Organization Partners

EPA anticipates contacting verification organization partners to obtain feedback on their 

ENERGY STAR-related activities, level of satisfaction with their partnership, and ENERGY 

STAR’s impact on residential energy demand and the demand for energy efficient homes. These 

evaluations are intended to improve program implementation, identify ways to minimize burden 

under the program, and enhance benefits from participation. EPA estimates that it will contact 

not more than 132 verification organizations once per year.
- - 53

Lender Partners

EPA expects to contact ENERGY STAR lender partners to evaluate their promotion of 

energy efficiency financing and whether staff is knowledgeable about ENERGY STAR and 

energy efficient mortgages (EEMs) and/or ENERGY STAR Mortgages if participating in the 

ENERGY STAR Mortgage pilot program. EPA estimates that it will contact no more than 20 

lender partners each year.

EPA anticipates identifying other questions that would entail brief input from ENERGY 

STAR lender partners on issues related to financing for energy efficient homes and home 

improvements, such as ways financing can influence the market for energy efficient homes in the 

affordable housing sector. EPA estimates that it will contact up to 20 ENERGY STAR lender 

partners no more than once each year for this input.

These assumptions are reflected in Exhibit 2.

Regional Energy Efficiency Program Sponsor (REEPS) Partners

EPA anticipates making regular contact with its key partners to obtain information about 

their ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes program offerings, update contact information and 

program incentive details. Program Sponsors will also provide verbal feedback on ENERGY 

STAR program initiatives at yearly Sponsor Meetings. These evaluations and yearly meeting are 

intended to collect key information about ENERGY STAR’s relevance in the marketplace, 

which will be used to improve program implementation, identify ways to streamline burden 

under the program, and enhance benefits from participation. EPA estimates that it will contact 

no more than 150 key Sponsors once each year.

EPA anticipates contacting REEPS about their current energy efficiency incentives so 

that EPA can provide this information on its Web site to the public. EPA estimates that it will 

contact no more than 150 REEPS regarding incentives each year.

EPA anticipates identifying other questions that would engage REEPS in the evaluation 

process for ENERGY STAR qualified homes. These questions would deal with issues such as 

quality assurance of ENERGY STAR qualified homes and the impact of ENERGY STAR on 

residential energy use and on residential utility bills. The information provided may include 

aggregated data on actual utility bills. EPA estimates that it will contact up to 10 ENERGY 

STAR REEPS each year for this input.

These assumptions are reflected in Exhibit 2.

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Partners -Sponsors

EPA anticipates communicating with Home Performance with ENERGY STAR partners 

each year to obtain feedback on their partnership and its impact on the market for energy

efficient home improvements. EPA expects to contact 38 partners to discuss feedback on their 

partnership and related activities and 30 partners to complete a study. These collections are 
- - 54

intended to improve EPA’s implementation of the program, enhance benefits to partners, and 

identify ways to minimize the burden of participating in promoting ENERGY STAR. 

These assumptions are reflected in Exhibit 2. 

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Partners-Contractors

EPA anticipates communicating with no more than 13 Home Performance with 

ENERGY STAR contractor partners each year to obtain feedback on their partnership and its 

impact on the market for energy efficient home improvements. These calls are intended to 

improve EPA’s implementation of the program, enhance benefits to partners, and identify ways 

to minimize the burden of participating in promoting ENERGY STAR. 

These assumptions are reflected in Exhibit 2. 

HVAC Quality Installation Program Partners

EPA anticipates communicating with 15 partners on average each year to obtain feedback 

on their partnership and its impact on the market for energy efficient home improvements. These 

calls are intended to improve EPA’s implementation of the program, enhance benefits to 

partners, and identify ways to minimize the burden of participating in promoting ENERGY 

STAR. 

These assumptions are reflected in Exhibit 2. 

Other Home Industry Professionals

EPA anticipates contacting other professionals in the residential sector such as realtors, 

product manufacturers, and retailers, for their feedback on the ENERGY STAR Program, its 

outreach efforts, and its impact on the market for energy efficient new and existing homes. EPA 

estimates that it will contact no more than 30 home industry professionals each year for this 

input. 

These assumptions are reflected in Exhibit 2.

Homeowners

Based on its past experience under the program, EPA estimates that 20,000 homeowners 

per year will make energy efficient home improvement through Home Performance with 

ENERGY STAR programs. EPA anticipates that 5 percent (i.e., 20,000 x 5% = 1,000 

homeowners each year, on average) of these homeowners will respond to questions related to 

their experiences and agree to release energy use histories for evaluation studies. 

Based on its experience EPA estimates that 50,000 homeowners will enter data into 

ENERGY STAR’s online Home Energy Yardstick tool annually.
- - 55

EPA anticipates that 1,000 owners of ENERGY STAR qualified homes will provide 

information evaluating their experience and the energy performance of their home. 

EPA estimates that ten owners of ENERGY STAR qualified homes will participate in 

infrared camera evaluations of their homes.

These assumptions are reflected in Exhibit 2.

QUARTERLY REPORTING (EXHIBIT 3)

Architects/Home Plan Designer Partners

EPA estimates that 10 partners annually will submit data on approved home plans. This 

is reflected in Exhibit 3.

Verification Organization Partners

Based on past experience, EPA estimates that 90 verification organizations will submit 

quarterly reports each year. They will use the HOST system. These assumptions are reflected in 

Exhibit 3.

Manufactured and Modular Housing Partners

Information on the number of ENERGY STAR manufactured and modular homes 

produced each year is submitted by manufacturing plants to their ENERGY STAR quality

assurance provider who in turn electronically submits this information to EPA once each quarter. 

There are currently 2 quality assurance providers. EPA anticipates only these two quality

assurance providers will submit quarterly reports to EPA during the life of this ICR. These 

assumptions are reflected in Exhibit 3.

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Partners 

There are currently 22 active Home Performance with ENERGY STAR partners. EPA 

estimates a growth rate of eight partners each year. Based on Table 4, EPA estimates that 38 

partners will be in existence, on average, during the life of this ICR. EPA estimates that 90 

percent of these partners will submit quarterly reports on the effects of their programs (i.e., 38 x 

90% = 34 partners each year, on average).

Table 4: Number of Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Partners - Sponsors

In Existence During Three-Year Life of ICR

Partners 2010 2011 2012

 Existing 22 30 38

 New 8 8 8

Total 30 38 46
- - 56

EPA estimates that about 500 contractors participate in Home Performance with 

ENERGY STAR programs sponsored by partners. Of these, EPA estimates that 20 percent will 

submit test-out reports for 100 homes improved each year (i.e., 500 x 20% = 100 each year, on 

average). This information is compiled by program sponsors and summarized in quarterly 

reports.

These assumptions are reflected in Exhibit 3.

HVAC Quality Installation Program Partners

Based on past experience, EPA estimates that 90 percent of HVAC Quality Installation 

partners will submit quarterly reports on the effects of their programs (i.e., 15 x 90% = 14 

partners each year, on average).

EPA estimates that HVAC contractors that participate in HVAC Quality Installation 

programs will provide program sponsors with contact information and submit test-out reports for 

properly installed systems. EPA estimates that 50 HVAC contractors will actively submit testout reports for 100 installations per year.

These assumptions are reflected in Exhibit 3.

ENERGY STAR AWARDS (EXHIBIT 4)

Based on previous award applications received, EPA estimates that 30 home builder 

partners, 25 affordable housing partners, six verification organization partners, ten regional 

energy efficiency program partners, 30 Home Performance partners, and ten HVAC Quality

Installation partners will apply for an ENERGY STAR Award each year. These assumptions are 

reflected in Exhibit 4.

OUTREACH PARTNERSHIP (EXHIBIT 5)

EPA expects 40 metropolitan markets to participate in the 2010 Outreach Partnership. 

The number of participating markets is expected to increase by one each year. Based on Table 5, 

EPA estimates that 41 markets will submit the commitment form and participate in the outreach 

partnership on average each year during the life of this ICR (3 years). EPA assumes that each 

market will include two participants on average; therefore, there will be a total estimated 82 

participants (41 x 2 = 82) who will be asked to review the outreach partnership guidelines, 

coordinate with other partners, and submit a corporate logo to EPA. These assumptions are 

reflected in Exhibit 5.
- - 57

Table 5: Number of Markets In Outreach Partnership In Existence

During Three-Year Life of ICR

Partners 2010 2011 2012

 Existing 39 40 41

 New 1 1 1

Total 40 41 42

ENERGY STAR MORTGAGE PILOT PROGRAM (EXHIBIT 6)

As mentioned in Table 2, EPA estimates a growth rate of six lender partners who join to 

promote ENERGY STAR mortgages each year. These six lender partners will undergo an initial 

lender review and approval process administered by the Energy Programs Consortium on behalf 

of EPA. These six lenders will also undergo an initial lender review after the first three months 

of joining the pilot program. 

There are currently four lender partners who promote ENERGY STAR mortgages under 

the ENERGY STAR mortgage pilot program. With an estimated growth rate of six lenders who 

join the pilot program each year, EPA expects that 16 lender partners will participate in the 

ENERGY STAR mortgage pilot program, on average, during the life of this ICR. EPA expects 

all lender partners will report the number of ENERGY STAR Mortgages they write each year 

and that all lender partners will undergo the annual lender evaluation process. 

EPA estimates that lenders will originate 32 ENERGY STAR mortgages on average each 

year during the life of this ICR and that there will be ten ENERGY STAR mortgages on average 

each year that involve the use of grants or other incentives to reduce the cost of the mortgage to 

the borrower.

These assumptions are reflected in Exhibit 6.

6(e) Bottom Line Burden Hours and Cost Tables

(i) Respondent Tally

As shown in Table 6, EPA estimates the total annual burden to respondents to be 180,958 

hours and $10,896,852. The total bottom-line burden to respondents over three years is 

estimated to be 542,874 hours and $32,690,556.
- - 58

TABLE 6

TOTAL ESTIMATED RESPONDENT BURDEN AND COST SUMMARY*

(ii) Agency Tally

As shown in Table 7, EPA estimates the total annual burden to the Agency to be 7,417 

hours and $351,364. The bottom-line burden to the Agency over three years is estimated to be 

22,251 hours and $1,054,092.

TABLE 7

TOTAL ESTIMATED AGENCY BURDEN AND COST SUMMARY*

6(f) Reasons for Change in Burden

This is the first ICR renewal for the ENERGY STAR Program in the Residential Sector.

The burden estimates contained in this ICR renewal differ from those contained in the previous 

ICR submitted three years ago due to changes in ENERGY STAR’s residential programs. 

Activity Total Hours 

Per Year

Total Labor 

Costs Per Year

Total Capital 

Costs Per Year

Total O&M 

Costs Per 

Year

Total Cost Per 

Year

JOINING THE ENERGY STAR PROGRAM AND 

RELATED ACTIVITIES 146,478 $8,483,070 $16,000 $662 $8,499,731

PARTNER EVALUATION 16,415 $1,145,747 $0 $469 $1,146,216

QUARTERLY REPORTS 15,751 $1,080,497 $0 $0 $1,080,497

ENERGY STAR AWARDS 1,409 $96,376 $0 $222 $96,598

OUTREACH PARTNERSHIP 629 $49,918 $0 $86 $50,004

ENERGY STAR MORTGAGE PROGRAM 276 $23,805 $0 $1 $23,806

TOTAL 180,958 $10,879,413 $16,000 $1,439 $10,896,852

*Table contains rounding

Activity Total Hours 

Per Year

Total Labor 

Cost Per 

Year

Total 

Capital 

Costs Per 

Year

Total O&M

Costs Per 

Year

Total Cost Per 

Year

JOINING THE ENERGY STAR PROGRAM 

AND RELATED ACTIVITIES 1,915 $54,115 $0 $222 $54,337

PARTNER EVALUATION 4,608 $237,770 $0 $2,672 $240,442

QUARTERLY REPORTS 214 $7,734 $0 $12,240 $19,974

ENERGY STAR AWARDS 219 $11,438 $0 $1,049 $12,487

OUTREACH PARTNERSHIP 461 $23,879 $0 $246 $24,125

TOTAL 7,417 $334,935 $0 $16,429 $351,364

*Table contains rounding
- - 59

Specifically, the burden has increased by 5,509 hours per year, from 175,449 hours in the 

previous ICR to180,958 hours in this ICR. 

EPA has added new partnership categories (e.g., HVAC QI partners) that have collection 

activities associated with them. In addition, EPA has moved more of its data collection activities 

to Web-based tools and forms, reducing the use of paper-based collection methods. Also, EPA 

has added new evaluation activities to this ICR renewal.

EPA believes the burden in this ICR renewal is justified in light of the many benefits to 

participants, the public and the environment. Homes earning the ENERGY STAR label have 

been verified to be energy efficient, making it easier for consumers to identify and purchase 

homes that are energy efficient. Compared to a standard home, an ENERGY STAR qualified 

home uses substantially less energy for heating, cooling, and water heating. In 2008 the national 

average annual utility bill savings was estimated to be $384 per home. In 2008 alone there were 

over 120,000 new homes earning the ENERGY STAR label, almost 17 percent of all new homes 

permitted in the U.S that year. These homes are estimated to have provided homeowners around 

$42 million in annual utility bill savings. This savings becomes even greater when you consider 

that a person lives in the same home an average of 7 to 8 years. 

In 2008, the cumulative number of ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes "in the ground" is 

estimated to have saved U.S. homeowners $258 million in utility bills, more than 1,500 million 

kilowatt-hours of electricity, 155 million therms of natural gas, and over 1.9 million metric tons 

of carbon dioxide that each year - the equivalent of having removed over a third of a million cars 

from the road.

Additional savings on household maintenance can also be substantial. More than 17,000 

homes have been improved through state and locally sponsored Home Performance with 

ENERGY STAR programs. This whole-house retrofit initiative is bringing new opportunities to 

achieve energy savings and reduce peak loads across the U.S. Also, there are many state and 

local energy-efficiency sponsorship programs that provide rebates and other financial incentives 

to home builders that offset the verification costs associated with qualifying a home for the 

ENERGY STAR label. 

In addition, EPA’s ENERGY STAR Programs are an important part of the overall effort 

to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. President Obama has made ENERGY STAR a key element 

of his National Energy Policy and his climate change initiative, which emphasizes the use of 

market-based, voluntary partnerships with industry. ENERGY STAR is a voluntary, marketbased program aimed at preventing pollution rather than controlling it after its creation. 

ENERGY STAR focuses on reducing utility-generated emissions by reducing the demand for 

energy via voluntary commitments by a wide range of organizations, public and private.
- - 60

6(g) Burden Statement

JOINING THE ENERGY STAR PROGRAM AND RELATED ACTIVITIES 

The average annual reporting burden for joining the ENERGY STAR Program and 

related activities is estimated to be about one hour per respondent. This includes time for 

preparing and submitting the Partnership Agreement and related paperwork. The average annual 

recordkeeping burden is estimated to be 40 hours per respondent. This reflects the time 

primarily for verification organization partners to verify that site-built, modular, and 

manufactured homes meet specified energy efficiency standards. Other partners experience 

negligible recordkeeping burden.

EVALUATION 

The average annual reporting burden for evaluations is estimated to be about 15 minutes 

per respondent. This includes time to respond to EPA questions (e.g., via the phone or 

questionnaire). There is no recordkeeping burden for evaluations.

QUARTERLY REPORTS 

The average annual reporting burden for quarterly reports is estimated to be 75 hours per 

respondent. This reflects the time primarily for organizations under the Home Performance with 

ENERGY STAR and HVAC Quality Installation Programs to prepare test-out reports (e.g., on 

the energy efficiency of home improvements) and submit quarterly reports. There is no 

recordkeeping burden for quarterly reports.

ENERGY STAR AWARDS 

The average annual reporting burden for ENERGY STAR awards is estimated to be 13 

hours per respondent. This includes time to prepare and submit the application to EPA. In 

addition, organizations under the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR also submit an 

annual report. There is no recordkeeping burden for the awards.

OUTREACH PARTNERSHIP 

The average annual reporting burden for the Outreach Partnership is estimated to be 7.5 

hours per respondent. This includes time for partners to complete and submit the Commitment 

Form and to work with other participants and EPA to develop, approve, and distribute a 

coordinated outreach campaign. The average annual recordkeeping burden is estimated to be 

about 15 minutes per respondent. This includes time to review partnership guidelines.
- - 61

ENERGY STAR MORTGAGE PROGRAM 

The average annual reporting burden for the ENERGY STAR Mortgage Program is 

estimated to be 15.5 hours per respondent. This includes time for lenders to complete partnership 

agreements and undergo periodic lender reviews. The average annual recordkeeping burden is 

estimated to be 24 hours per respondent. This reflects the time primarily for the Energy 

Programs Consortium to conduct periodic reviews of lenders under the program. 

Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to 

generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This 

includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology

and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and 

maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to 

comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements; train personnel to be able 

to respond to a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review the collection 

of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the information. 

To comment on the Agency's need for this information, the accuracy of the provided 

burden estimates, and any suggested methods for minimizing respondent burden, including the 

use of automated collection techniques, EPA has established a public docket for this ICR under 

Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2004-0500, which is available for public viewing at the Air and 

Radiation Docket and Information Center in the EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), EPA West, 

Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC. The EPA Docket Center Public 

Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal 

holidays. The telephone number for the Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone 

number for the Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center is (202) 566-1742. An 

electronic version of the public docket is available through the Federal Docket Management 

System (FDMS) at http://www.regulations.gov. Use FDMS to submit or view public comments, 

access the index listing of the contents of the public docket, and to access those documents in the 

public docket that are available electronically. Once in the system, select "search," then key in 

the docket ID number identified above. Also, you can send comments to the Office of 

Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW, 

Washington, DC 20503, Attention: Desk Office for EPA. Please include the EPA Docket ID No. 

EPA-HQ-OAR-2004-0500 and OMB Control Number 2060-0586 in any correspondence. 
62

Legal Managerial Technical Clerical

Information Collection 

Activity $140.26 $101.45 $69.60 $35.03

 Review instructions of PA 0.00 0.25 0.25 0.00 0.50 $42.76 $0.00 $0.00 3,000 1,500.00 $128,280.00

 Complete and submit PA 0.00 0.05 0.25 0.00 0.30 $22.47 $0.00 $0.00 3,000 900.00 $67,410.00

Complete manufactured 

housing plant certification 

process

0.00 1.00 16.00 2.00 19.00 $1,285.08 $800.00 $0.00 10 190.00 $20,850.80

Complete modular housing 

plant certification process 0.00 1.00 16.00 2.00 19.00 $1,285.08 $800.00 $0.00 10 190.00 $20,850.80

Subtotal 0.00 varies varies varies varies varies varies $0.00 varies 2,780.00 $237,391.60

Review instructions of PA 0.50 0.25 0.25 0.00 1.00 $112.90 $0.00 $0.00 60 60.00 $6,774.00

Complete PA 0.00 0.25 0.25 0.00 0.50 $42.76 $0.00 $0.00 60 30.00 $2,565.60

Return PA to EPA 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.10 $3.50 $0.00 $0.00 60 6.00 $210.00

Develop and Submit Home 

Plans 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.10 1.10 $73.10 $0.00 $0.00 10 11.00 $731.00

Subtotal varies varies varies varies varies varies $0.00 $0.00 varies 107.00 $10,280.60

Review instructions of PA 0.00 0.50 0.25 0.00 0.75 $68.13 $0.00 $0.00 400 300.00 $27,252.00

Complete and submit PA 

online

0.00 0.05 0.25 0.00 0.30 $22.47 $0.00 $0.00 400 120.00 $8,988.00

ENERGY STAR Homes Program: Joining the ENERGY STAR Program and Related Activities*

Exhibit 1

Estimated Annual Respondent Burden and Cost

Respond. 

Hours/ Activity

Labor Costs/ 

Activity

Hours and Costs Per Respondent** Total Hours and Costs

Capital Startup 

Costs / Activity

 O&M 

Costs/ 

Activity

No. of 

Respond. 

Activities

Total Hours/ 

Year

 Certification Process for Manufactured and Modular Home Builders

Total Cost/Year

Home Builder Partners

 Partnership Agreement

Verification Organization Partners

Architects/Home Plan Designer Partners

 Partnership Agreement
- - 63

Legal Managerial Technical Clerical

Information Collection 

Activity $140.26 $101.45 $69.60 $35.03

Verify site-built homes for 

ENERGY STAR label and 

collect information on home 

(Individually Rated)

0.00 0.00 3.00 1.00 4.00 $243.82 $0.00 $0.00 20,413 81,652.00 $4,977,097.66

Verify site-built homes for 

ENERGY STAR label 

(Collectively Rated)

0.00 0.00 0.40 0.50 0.90 $45.35 $0.00 $0.00 60,510 54,459.00 $2,744,128.50

Provide home energy rating 

reports upon request 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 1.00 $69.60 $0.00 $0.00 10 10.00 $696.00

Verify manufactured homes 

for ENERGY STAR label and 

collect information on each 

home

0.00 0.00 2.00 0.00 2.00 $139.20 $0.00 $0.00 3,000 6,000.00 $417,600.00

 Verify modular homes for 

ENERGY STAR label and 

collect information on each 

home

0.00 0.00 2.00 0.00 2.00 $139.20 $0.00 $0.00 200 400.00 $27,840.00

QAP reviews registration 

form, completion report, site 

inspection checklist, and 

plant cert form and maintains 

on file

0.00 1.00 0.00 0.50 1.50 $118.97 $0.00 $0.00 10 15.00 $1,189.70

QAP processes and stores 

quarterly report data 

electronically

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.50 0.50 $17.51 $0.00 $0.00 10 5.00 $175.10

QAP conducts random 

periodic inspections of plant 

production of Energy Star 

homes and takes corrective 

action if needed

0.00 0.00 4.00 0.00 4.00 $278.39 $0.00 $0.00 10 40.00 $2,783.90

Subtotal 0.00 varies varies varies varies varies $0.00 $0.00 varies 143,001.00 $8,207,750.86

ENERGY STAR Homes Program: Joining the ENERGY STAR Program and Related Activities (continued)*

Exhibit 1

Estimated Annual Respondent Burden and Cost

Respond. 

Hours/ Activity

Labor Costs/ 

Activity

Hours and Costs Per Respondent** Total Hours and Costs

Capital Startup 

Costs / Activity

 O&M 

Costs/ 

Activity

No. of 

Respond. 

Activities

Total Hours/ 

Year Total Cost/Year

 Quality Assurance Providers (QAPs) for Manufactured and Modular Homes
- - 64

Legal Managerial Technical Clerical

Information Collection 

Activity $140.26 $101.45 $69.60 $35.03

Review instructions of PA 0.50 0.25 0.25 0.00 1.00 $112.90 $0.00 $0.00 6 6.00 $677.40

Complete and submit PA 0.00 0.00 0.25 0.00 0.25 $17.40 $0.00 $0.00 6 1.50 $104.40

Fax or email copy of one 

home rating report to activate 

Energy Star partnership

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.05 0.05 $1.75 $0.00 $0.10 6 0.30 $11.10

Fax or email copy of three 

home rating reports to 

maintain active Energy Star 

partnership

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.50 0.50 $17.51 $0.00 $0.10 22 11.00 $387.42

Report the number of EEMs 

written each year to EPA

0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 1.00 $69.60 $0.00 $0.00 22 22.00 $1,531.20

Subtotal varies varies varies varies varies varies $0.00 varies varies 40.80 $2,711.52

Review instructions of PA & 

Commitment Form 0.50 0.25 0.25 0.00 1.00 $112.90 $0.00 $0.00 7 7.00 $790.30

Complete PA and 

Commitment Form 0.00 0.00 0.25 0.00 0.25 $17.40 $0.00 $0.00 7 1.75 $121.80

Return PA and Commitment 

Form to EPA 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.10 $3.50 $0.00 $0.44 7 0.70 $27.58

Subtotal 0.50 0.25 0.50 0.10 1.35 $133.80 $0.00 $0.44 7 9.45 $939.68

Review instructions of PA 0.40 0.25 0.25 0.00 0.90 $98.87 $0.00 $0.00 8 7.20 $790.96

Complete PA 0.00 0.25 0.25 0.00 0.50 $42.76 $0.00 $0.00 8 4.00 $342.08

ENERGY STAR Homes Program: Joining the ENERGY STAR Program and Related Activities (continued)*

Exhibit 1

Estimated Annual Respondent Burden and Cost

Respond. 

Hours/ Activity

Labor Costs/ 

Activity

Hours and Costs Per Respondent** Total Hours and Costs

Capital Startup 

Costs / Activity

 O&M 

Costs/ 

Activity

No. of 

Respond. 

Activities

Total Hours/ 

Year Total Cost/Year

Lender Partners Promoting EEMs

Regional Energy Efficiency Program Sponsor Partners

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Partners - Sponsors

 Partnership Agreement (PA)
- - 65

Legal Managerial Technical Clerical

Information Collection 

Activity $140.26 $101.45 $69.60 $35.03

Return PA to EPA 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.10 $3.50 $0.00 $0.44 8 0.80 $31.52

Subtotal 0.40 0.50 0.50 0.10 1.50 $145.13 $0.00 0.44 8 12.00 $1,164.56

Draft and submit to EPA a 

program plan implement 

ENERGY STAR

1.00 4.00 24.00 2.00 31.00 $2,286.48 $0.00 $50.00 8 248.00 $18,691.84

Submit all Web designs and 

materials for EPA review 0.00 0.00 5.00 0.00 5.00 $347.99 $0.00 $0.00 8 40.00 $2,783.92

Subtotal 1.00 4.00 29.00 2.00 36.00 $2,634.47 $0.00 $50.00 8 288.00 $21,475.76

Review instructions of PA 0.25 0.25 0.50 0.00 1.00 $95.23 $0.00 $0.00 13 13.00 $1,237.99

Complete PA 0.00 0.25 0.25 0.00 0.50 $42.76 $0.00 $0.00 13 6.50 $555.88

Submit Web designs and 

materials for review 0.00 0.00 5.00 0.00 5.00 $347.99 $0.00 $0.00 13 65.00 $4,523.87

Subtotal 0.25 0.50 5.75 0.00 6.50 $485.98 $0.00 $0.00 13 84.50 $6,317.74

Review instructions of PA 0.50 0.25 0.25 0.00 1.00 $112.90 $0.00 $0.00 5 5.00 $564.50

Complete PA 0.00 0.25 0.25 0.00 0.50 $42.76 $0.00 $0.00 5 2.50 $213.80

ENERGY STAR Homes Program: Joining the ENERGY STAR Program and Related Activities (continued)*

Exhibit 1

Estimated Annual Respondent Burden and Cost

Respond. 

Hours/ Activity

Labor Costs/ 

Activity

Hours and Costs Per Respondent** Total Hours and Costs

Capital Startup 

Costs / Activity

 O&M 

Costs/ 

Activity

No. of 

Respond. 

Activities

Total Hours/ 

Year Total Cost/Year

 Program Implementation Plan

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Partners - Contractors

ENERGY STAR HVAC Quality Installation Partners

 Partnership Agreement (PA)
- - 66

Legal Managerial Technical Clerical

Information Collection 

Activity $140.26 $101.45 $69.60 $35.03

Return PA to EPA 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.10 $3.50 $0.00 $0.44 5 0.50 $19.70

Provide updates to contractor 

contact information 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.50 0.50 $17.51 $0.00 $0.00 15 7.50 $262.65

Draft and submit program

plan 1.00 4.00 16.00 2.00 23.00 $1,729.70 $0.00 $50.00 5 115.00 $8,898.50

Submit Web designs and 

materials for review 0.00 0.00 5.00 0.00 5.00 $347.99 $0.00 $0.00 5 25.00 $1,739.95

Subtotal varies varies varies varies varies varies $0.00 varies varies 155.50 $11,699.10

TOTAL varies varies varies varies varies varies varies varies varies 146,478.25 $8,499,731.42

* Partnership with ENERGY STAR is completely voluntary and can be terminated for no reason by the respondent.

** EPA uses the term 'varies' in the subtotal and/or total row of the exhibit if the total hours or costs per respondent under an information collection vary among the respondents. 

ENERGY STAR Homes Program: Joining the ENERGY STAR Program and Related Activities (continued)*

Exhibit 1

Estimated Annual Respondent Burden and Cost

Respond. 

Hours/ Activity

Labor Costs/ 

Activity

Hours and Costs Per Respondent** Total Hours and Costs

Capital Startup 

Costs / Activity

 O&M 

Costs/ 

Activity

No. of 

Respond. 

Activities

Total Hours/ 

Year Total Cost/Year

 Program Implementation Plan
- - 67

Legal Managerial Technical Clerical

Information Collection Activity $140.26 $101.45 $69.60 $35.03

Responding to EPA calls to inactive 

partners 0.00 0.50 0.00 0.00 0.50 $50.73 $0.00 $0.10 75 37.50 $3,812.25

Provide feedback on outreach products 

and initiatives 0.00 0.50 0.50 0.00 1.00 $85.53 $0.00 $0.00 50 50.00 $4,276.50

Subtotal 0.00 varies varies 0.00 varies varies $0.00 varies varies 87.50 $8,088.75

Responding to EPA calls to key partners 0.00 0.50 0.00 0.00 0.50 $50.73 $0.00 $0.10 20 10.00 $1,016.60

Engaging Homes Energy Raters in the 

Evaluation Process of ENERGY STAR 

Homes

0.00 0.00 6.00 0.00 6.00 $417.59 $0.00 $0.00 10 60.00 $4,175.90

IR Camera Evaluations of ENERGY 

STAR Qualified Homes 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.00 2.00 $70.05 $0.00 $0.00 100 200.00 $7,005.00

Quality Assurance Providers Provide 

feedback on ENERGY STAR 

Manufactured and Modular Homes

0.00 0.00 2.00 0.00 2.00 $139.20 $0.00 $0.00 2 4.00 $278.40

Subtotal 0.00 varies varies varies varies varies $0.00 varies varies 274.00 $12,475.90

Respond to EPA questions about Energy 

Efficient Mortgages, ENERGY STAR 

Mortgages, and financing's influence on 

the market for residential energy 

efficiency

0.00 0.00 0.50 0.00 0.50 $34.80 $0.00 $0.10 20 10.00 $698.00

Respond to EPA questions regarding 

market for energy efficient homes and 

financing

0.00 0.00 0.50 0.00 0.50 $34.80 $0.00 $0.10 20 10.00 $698.00

Subtotal 0.00 0.00 varies 0.00 varies varies $0.00 varies varies 20.00 $1,396.00

Exhibit 2

Estimated Annual Respondent Burden and Cost

ENERGY STAR Homes Program: Evaluation*

Hours and Costs Per Respondent** Total Hours and Costs

No. of 

Respond. 

Activities

Total Hours/ 

Year Total Cost/Year Respond. Hours/Activity

Labor 

Costs/Activity

Capital Startup 

Costs / Activity

 O&M 

Costs/ 

Activity

Home Builder Partners

Verification Organization Partners

Lender Partners
- - 68

Legal Managerial Technical Clerical

Information Collection Activity $140.26 $101.45 $69.60 $35.03

Responding to EPA calls to key partners 0.00 0.50 0.50 0.00 1.00 $85.53 $0.00 $0.10 150 150.00 $12,844.50

Provide updates on incentives 0.00 0.00 0.20 0.00 0.20 $13.92 $0.00 $0.00 150 30.00 $2,088.00

Engaging Utilities in the Evaluation 

Process of ENERGY STAR Homes

0.00 0.00 12.00 0.00 12.00 $835.18 $0.00 $0.00 10 120.00 $8,351.80

Subtotal 0.00 varies varies varies varies varies $0.00 varies varies 300.00 $23,284.30

Provide feedback on partnership, Do It 

Yourself Guide, and outreach campaigns

0.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 $101.45 $0.00 $0.00 38 38.00 $3,855.10

Complete the program evaluation study 0.00 0.25 0.50 0.00 0.75 $60.16 $0.00 $0.00 30 22.50 $1,804.80

Subtotal 0.00 varies varies 0.00 varies varies $0.00 $0.00 varies 60.50 $5,659.90

Provide feedback on partnership, 

materials, and outreach campaigns 0.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 $101.45 $0.00 $0.00 13 13.00 $1,318.85

Subtotal 0.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 $101.45 $0.00 $0.00 13 13.00 $1,318.85

Provide feedback on partnership, 

materials, and outreach campaigns 0.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 $101.45 $0.00 $0.00 15 15.00 $1,521.75

Subtotal 0.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 $101.45 $0.00 $0.00 varies 15.00 $1,521.75

Provide feedback on ENERGY STAR 

Program and its outreach efforts 0.00 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.50 $103.04 $0.00 $0.00 30 45.00 $3,091.20

Subtotal 0.00 0.50 0.50 0.50 1.50 $103.04 $0.00 $0.00 30 45.00 $3,091.20

Exhibit 2

Estimated Annual Respondent Burden and Cost

ENERGY STAR Homes Program: Evaluation (continued)*

Hours and Costs Per Respondent** Total Hours and Costs

No. of 

Respond. 

Activities

Total Hours/ 

Year Total Cost/Year Respond. Hours/Activity

Labor 

Costs/Activity

Capital Startup 

Costs / Activity

 O&M 

Costs/ 

Activity

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Partners - Sponsors

Regional Energy Efficiency Program Sponsor Partners

Other Home Industry Professionals

ENERGY STAR HVAC Quality Installation Partners

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Partners - Contractors
- - 69

Legal Managerial Technical Clerical

Information Collection Activity $140.26 $101.45 $69.60 $35.03

Complete the ENERGY STAR Home 

Consumer Study 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.05 $5.07 $0.00 $0.00 1,000 50.00 $5,070.00

Participate in IR Camera Evaluations of 

ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes 0.00 0.00 50.00 0.00 50.00 $3,479.90 $0.00 $0.00 10 500.00 $34,799.00

Complete and mail utility bill release form 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.05 $5.07 $0.00 $0.44 1,000 50.00 $5,510.00

Enter energy use data online into Home 

Energy Yardstick tool 0.00 0.00 0.30 0.00 0.30 $20.88 $0.00 $0.00 50,000 15,000.00 $1,044,000.00

Subtotal 0.00 varies varies 0.00 varies varies $0.00 varies varies 15,600.00 $1,089,379.00

TOTAL 0.00 varies varies varies varies varies $0.00 varies varies 16,415.00 $1,146,215.65

* Partner responses to EPA evaluation queries are completely voluntary and are not required for ENERGY STAR Partnership. `

** EPA uses the term 'varies' in the subtotal and/or total row of the exhibit if the total hours or costs per respondent under an information collection vary

 among respondents.

Exhibit 2

Estimated Annual Respondent Burden and Cost

ENERGY STAR Homes Program: Evaluation (continued)*

Hours and Costs Per Respondent** Total Hours and Costs

No. of 

Respond. 

Activities

Total Hours/ 

Year Total Cost/Year Respond. Hours/Activity

Labor 

Costs/Activity

Capital Startup 

Costs / Activity

 O&M 

Costs/ 

Activity

Homeowners
- - 70

Legal Managerial Technical Clerical

Information Collection Activity $140.26 $101.45 $69.60 $35.03

Provide data on approved home plans 0.00 0.00 2.00 0.00 2.00 $139.20 $0.00 $0.00 10 20.00 $1,392.00

Log into HOST on Web 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.25 0.25 $8.76 $0.00 $0.00 90 22.50 $788.40

Review instructions of HOST 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.25 0.25 $8.76 $0.00 $0.00 90 22.50 $788.40

Enter qualified home data and submit to 

EPA 0.00 0.00 1.00 1.00 2.00 $104.63 $0.00 $0.00 90 180.00 $9,416.70

Submit quarterly data to EPA for review 

and approval 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.10 $3.50 $0.00 $0.00 90 9.00 $315.00

Order label stock from EPA 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.10 $3.50 $0.00 $0.00 90 9.00 $315.00

Subtotal 0.00 0.00 1.00 1.70 2.70 $129.15 $0.00 $0.00 90 243.00 $11,623.50

Enter qualified home data online or 

generate reporting spreadsheet and 

submit to EPA for review and approval

0.00 0.00 2.00 2.00 4.00 $209.25 $0.00 $0.00 2 8.00 $418.50

Subtotal 0.00 0.00 2.00 2.00 4.00 $209.25 $0.00 $0.00 2 8.00 $418.50

Quarterly Reporting Subtotal 0.00 1.00 8.00 1.00 10.00 $693.26 $0.00 $0.00 34 340.00 $23,570.84

Contractor Test-Out Reports 0.00 25.00 50.00 25.00 100.00 $6,891.91 $0.00 $0.00 100 10,000.00 $689,191.00

Subtotal 0.00 varies varies varies varies varies $0.00 $0.00 varies 10,340.00 $712,761.84

Quarterly Reporting Subtotal 0.00 1.00 8.00 1.00 10.00 $693.26 $0.00 $0.00 14 140.00 $9,705.64

Contractor Test-Out Reports 0.00 25.00 50.00 25.00 100.00 $6,891.91 $0.00 $0.00 50 5,000.00 $344,595.50

Subtotal 0.00 varies varies varies varies varies $0.00 $0.00 varies 5,140.00 $354,301.14

TOTAL 0.00 varies varies varies varies varies $0.00 $0.00 varies 15,751.00 $1,080,496.98

* EPA uses the term 'varies' in the subtotal and/or total row of the exhibit if the total hours or costs per respondent under an information collection vary among the respondents. 

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Partners 

ENERGY STAR HVAC Quality Installation Partners

 O&M 

Costs/ 

Activity

No. of 

Respond. 

Activities

Total Hours/ 

Year Total Cost/Year

Manufactured and Modular Home Quality Assurance Providers

Verification Organization Partners

Exhibit 3

Estimated Annual Respondent Burden and Cost

ENERGY STAR Homes Program: Quarterly Reports

Respond. 

Hours/ Activity

Labor 

Costs/ 

Activity

Hours and Costs Per Respondent* Total Hours and Costs

Capital 

Startup Costs 

/ Activity

Architect/Home Plan Designer Partners
- - 71

Legal Managerial Technical Clerical

Information Collection Activity $140.26 $101.45 $69.60 $35.03

Review instructions of the application 0.00 0.25 0.25 0.00 0.50 $42.76 $0.00 $0.00 30 15.00 $1,282.80

Complete and submit application, 

including any supplemental info. 0.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 3.00 $206.08 $0.00 $2.00 30 90.00 $6,242.40

Subtotal 0.00 1.25 1.25 1.00 3.50 $248.84 $0.00 $2.00 30 105.00 $7,525.20

 Review instructions of the application 0.00 0.25 0.25 0.00 0.50 $42.76 $0.00 $0.00 25 12.50 $1,069.00

Complete and submit application, 

including any supplemental info. 0.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 3.00 $206.08 $0.00 $2.00 25 75.00 $5,202.00

Subtotal 0.00 1.25 1.25 1.00 3.50 $248.84 $0.00 $2.00 25 87.50 $6,271.00

Review instructions of the application 0.00 0.25 0.25 0.00 0.50 $42.76 $0.00 $0.00 6 3.00 $256.56

Complete and submit application, 

including any supplemental info. 0.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 3.00 $206.08 $0.00 $2.00 6 18.00 $1,248.48

Subtotal 0.00 1.25 1.25 1.00 3.50 $248.84 $0.00 $2.00 6 21.00 $1,505.04

Review instructions of the application 0.00 0.25 0.25 0.00 0.50 $42.76 $0.00 $0.00 10 5.00 $427.60

Complete and submit application, 

including any supplemental info. 0.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 3.00 $206.08 $0.00 $2.00 10 30.00 $2,080.80

Subtotal 0.00 1.25 1.25 1.00 3.50 $248.84 $0.00 $2.00 10 35.00 $2,508.40

 O&M 

Costs/ 

Activity

No. of 

Respond. 

Activities

Total Hours/ 

Year

Total 

Cost/Year

Exhibit 4

Estimated Annual Respondent Burden and Cost

Respond. 

Hours/ 

Activity

Labor 

Costs/ 

Activity

Hours and Costs Per Respondent** Total Hours and Costs

Capital Startup 

Costs / Activity

Home Builder Partners

Verification Organization Partners

ENERGY STAR Homes Program: ENERGY STAR Awards*

Regional Energy Efficiency Program Sponsor Partners

Affordable Housing Partners
- - 72

Legal Managerial Technical Clerical

Information Collection Activity $140.26 $101.45 $69.60 $35.03

Review instructions of the application 0.00 0.25 0.25 0.00 0.50 $42.76 $0.00 $0.00 30 15.00 $1,282.80

Complete and submit application, 

including any supplemental info. 0.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 3.00 $206.08 $0.00 $2.00 30 90.00 $6,242.40

Annual Report 0.00 1.00 22.50 2.00 25.50 $1,737.46 $0.00 $0.00 30 765.00 $52,123.80

Subtotal 0.00 2.25 23.75 3.00 29.00 $1,986.30 $0.00 $2.00 30 870.00 $59,649.00

Review instructions of the application 0.00 0.00 2.00 0.00 2.00 $139.20 $0.00 $0.00 10 20.00 $1,392.00

Complete and submit application, 

including any supplemental info. 0.00 1.00 22.00 4.00 27.00 $1,772.72 $0.00 $2.00 10 270.00 $17,747.20

Subtotal 0.00 1.00 24.00 4.00 29.00 $1,911.92 $0.00 $2.00 10 290.00 $19,139.20

TOTAL 0.00 varies varies varies varies varies $0.00 varies varies 1,408.50 $96,597.84

** EPA uses the term 'varies' in the subtotal and/or total row of the exhibit if the total hours or costs per respondent under an information collection vary among the respondents. 

* Application for the ENERGY STAR Awards is completely voluntary and is not required for ENERGY STAR Partnership.

 O&M 

Costs/ 

Activity

No. of 

Respond. 

Activities

Total Hours/ 

Year

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Partners

Total 

Cost/Year

ENERGY STAR HVAC Quality Installation Partners

Exhibit 4

Estimated Annual Respondent Burden and Cost

Respond. 

Hours/ 

Activity

Labor 

Costs/ 

Activity

Hours and Costs Per Respondent** Total Hours and Costs

Capital Startup 

Costs / Activity

ENERGY STAR Homes Program: ENERGY STAR Awards (continued)*
- - 73

Legal Managerial Technical Clerical

Information Collection Activity $140.26 $101.45 $69.60 $35.03

Review the commitment form 0.00 0.50 0.50 0.00 1.00 $85.53 $0.00 $0.00 41 41.00 $3,506.73

Complete the commitment form 0.00 0.00 0.25 0.00 0.25 $17.40 $0.00 $0.00 41 10.25 $713.40

Return the commitment form via fax 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.10 $3.50 $0.00 $0.10 41 4.10 $147.60

Coordinate with other participants and EPA to 

develop and distribute an outreach campaign 1.00 5.00 0.00 5.00 11.00 $822.67 $0.00 $2.00 41 451.00 $33,811.47

Review the Outreach Partnership guidelines 0.00 0.25 0.00 0.00 0.25 $25.36 $0.00 $0.00 82 20.50 $2,079.52

Coordinate activities with other partners 0.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 $101.45 $0.00 $0.00 82 82.00 $8,318.90

Submit a corporate logo to EPA 0.00 0.00 0.25 0.00 0.25 $17.40 $0.00 $0.00 82 20.50 $1,426.80

TOTAL varies varies varies varies varies varies $0.00 varies varies 629.35 $50,004.42

** EPA uses the term 'varies' in the subtotal and/or total row of the exhibit if the total hours or costs per respondent under an information collection vary among the respondents. 

Exhibit 5

Estimated Annual Respondent Burden and Cost

ENERGY STAR Homes Program: Outreach Partnership*

Respond. 

Hours/ 

Activity

Labor 

Costs/ 

Activity

Hours and Costs Per Respondent** Total Hours and Costs

Capital 

Startup 

Costs / 

Activity

Home Builder Partners

Total 

Cost/Year

 O&M 

Costs/ 

Activity

No. of 

Respond. 

Activities

Total 

Hours/ 

Year

* Participation in the Outreach Partnership is completely voluntary and is not required for ENERGY STAR Partnership.
- - 74

Legal Managerial Technical Clerical

Information Collection Activity $140.26 $101.45 $69.60 $35.03

Review Energy Star lender Partnership 

Agreement (PA) 0.00 0.50 0.00 0.00 0.50 $50.73 $0.00 $0.00 6 3.00 $304.38

Complete PA 0.00 0.10 0.00 0.00 0.10 $10.15 $0.00 $0.00 6 0.60 $60.90

Return PA to EPA via fax or email 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.05 $5.07 $0.00 $0.10 6 0.30 $31.02

Report # of Energy Star Mortgages 

Written each yr 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.10 $3.50 $0.00 $0.00 16 1.60 $56.00

Subtotal 0.00 varies 0.00 varies varies varies $0.00 varies varies 5.50 $452.30

Conduct interview w/ mortgage origination 

staff 0.00 8.00 0.00 1.00 9.00 $846.65 $0.00 $0.00 6 54.00 $5,079.90

Review lenders' net worth and solvency 0.00 0.15 0.00 0.00 0.15 $15.22 $0.00 $0.00 6 0.90 $91.32

Inspect origination facilities 0.00 0.15 0.00 0.00 0.15 $15.22 $0.00 $0.00 6 0.90 $91.32

Review origination software 0.00 0.00 0.75 0.00 0.75 $52.20 $0.00 $0.00 6 4.50 $313.20

Review rehabilitation escrow capabilities 

and related mgmt expertise

0.00 0.50 0.00 0.00 0.50 $50.73 $0.00 $0.00 6 3.00 $304.38

Review funding capacity 0.00 1.50 0.00 0.00 1.50 $152.18 $0.00 $0.00 6 9.00 $913.08

Review secondary mkt. capacity and 

origination volume capacity 0.00 0.50 0.00 0.00 0.50 $50.73 $0.00 $0.00 6 3.00 $304.38

Review random selection of current and/or 

closed EEMs loan files 0.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 $101.45 $0.00 $0.00 6 6.00 $608.70

Estimated Annual Respondent Burden and Cost

ENERGY STAR Homes Program: Mortgage Program*

Total 

Hours/ 

Year

Respond. 

Hours/ 

Activity

Labor 

Costs/ 

Activity

Capital 

Startup 

Costs / 

Activty

 O&M 

Costs/ 

Activity

Exhibit 6

Lenders Promoting ENERGY STAR Mortgages: Joining Energy Star Mortgage Pilot Program

Initial Lender Review and Approval to Offer Energy Star Mortgages

Total Cost/Year

Hours and Costs Per Respondent** Total Hours and Costs

No. of 

Respond. 

Activities

 Energy Programs Consortium (EPC)***
- - 75

Legal Managerial Technical Clerical

Information Collection Activity $140.26 $101.45 $69.60 $35.03

Provide information as requested by EPC 0.00 9.00 1.00 1.00 11.00 $1,017.70 $0.00 $0.00 6 66.00 $6,106.20

Subtotal 0.00 varies varies varies varies varies $0.00 $0.00 varies 147.30 $13,812.48

Submit proof of proper use of Energy Star 

logo 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.50 0.50 $17.51 $0.00 $0.00 6 3.00 $105.06

Submit report of number of Energy Star 

Mortgages written and associated home 

energy improvement projects financed

0.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 1.00 $35.03 $0.00 $0.00 6 6.00 $210.18

EPC reviews lender report 0.00 0.50 0.00 0.00 0.50 $50.73 $0.00 $0.00 6 3.00 $304.38

Subtotal 0.00 varies varies varies varies varies $0.00 $0.00 varies 12.00 $619.62

Provide list of originated E* Mortgages 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.50 0.50 $17.51 $0.00 $0.00 16 8.00 $280.16

Provide files for analysis of originated E* 

mortgages 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 1.00 $35.03 $0.00 $0.00 16 16.00 $560.48

EPC reviews lender files 0.00 1.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 $101.45 $0.00 $0.00 16 16.00 $1,623.20

Subtotal 0.00 varies 0.00 varies varies varies $0.00 $0.00 varies 40.00 $2,463.84

Estimated Annual Respondent Burden and Cost

ENERGY STAR Homes Program: Mortgage Program (continued)*

Total 

Hours/ 

Year

Respond. 

Hours/ 

Activity

Labor 

Costs/ 

Activity

Capital 

Startup 

Costs / 

Activty

 O&M 

Costs/ 

Activity

 Lenders

 Energy Programs Consortium (EPC)

Exhibit 6

Total Cost/Year

Hours and Costs Per Respondent** Total Hours and Costs

No. of 

Respond. 

Activities

Lender Review After First 3 Months

Annual Lender Evaluation

 Lenders

 Lenders

 Energy Programs Consortium (EPC)
- - 76

Legal Managerial Technical Clerical

Information Collection Activity $140.26 $101.45 $69.60 $35.03

Electronically provide copy of audit report 

to lender 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.00 0.10 $6.96 $0.00 $0.00 32 3.20 $222.72

Review copy of energy audit report and 

incorporate results into mortgage

0.00 1.50 0.00 0.00 1.50 $152.18 $0.00 $0.00 32 48.00 $4,869.76

Coordinate use of grant or other energy 

efficiency funds from utilities, nonprofits or 

govt. entities for use in reducing cost of 

mortgage to the borrower

0.00 1.00 0.00 1.00 2.00 $136.48 $0.00 $0.00 10 20.00 $1,364.80

Subtotal 0.00 varies varies varies varies varies $0.00 $0.00 varies 71.20 $6,457.28

TOTAL 0.00 varies varies varies varies varies $0.00 varies varies 276.00 $23,805.52

* Partnership with ENERGY STAR is completely voluntary and can be terminated for no reason by the respondent.

** EPA uses the term 'varies' in the subtotal and/or total row of the exhibit if the total hours or costs per respondent under an information collection vary among the respondents. 

***Energy Programs Consortium (EPC) is responsible for lender oversight and provides EPA with periodic updates on program status. EPA does not pay EPC to serve in this capacity.

Estimated Annual Respondent Burden and Cost

ENERGY STAR Homes Program: Mortgage Program (continued)*

Total 

Hours/ 

Year

Respond. 

Hours/ 

Activity

Labor 

Costs/ 

Activity

Capital 

Startup 

Costs / 

Activty

 O&M 

Costs/ 

Activity

Exhibit 6

Total Cost/Year

Hours and Costs Per Respondent** Total Hours and Costs

No. of 

Respond. 

Activities

 Verification Organizations

 Lenders

Originating Energy Star Mortgages
- - 77

Legal Managerial Technical Clerical

Information Collection Activity $75.50 $70.61 $51.77 $20.79

ENERGY STAR New Homes Partners

Review submitted partner agreements and 

associated forms 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.00 0.10 $5.18 $0.00 $0.00 3,594 359.40 $18,616.92

Obtain missing information from prospective 

partners 0.00 0.00 0.15 0.00 0.15 $7.77 $0.00 $2.00 70 10.50 $683.90

Enter agreement information into iSTAR 

(lenders and REEPS only)

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.10 $2.08 $0.00 $0.00 3,594 359.40 $7,475.52

Monitor electronically countersigned partnership 

agreements via email 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.10 $2.08 $0.00 $0.00 3,400 340.00 $7,072.00

Make electronic copies of signed

agreements/forms (lenders and REEPS only) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.10 $2.08 $0.00 $0.00 207 20.70 $430.56

Send a welcome email to partners 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.10 $2.08 $0.00 $0.00 3,594 359.40 $7,475.52

Send confirmation email with username and 

password information 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.10 $2.08 $0.00 $0.00 3,594 359.40 $7,475.52

Subtotal 0.00 varies varies varies varies varies $0.00 varies varies 1,808.80 $49,229.94

Review Partnership Agreements 0.00 0.25 0.25 0.00 0.50 $30.60 $0.00 $0.00 8 4.00 $244.80

Enter Agreements into iSTAR database 0.00 0.25 0.25 0.00 0.50 $30.60 $0.00 $0.00 8 4.00 $244.80

Subtotal 0.00 0.50 0.50 0.00 1.00 $61.20 $0.00 varies 8 8.00 $489.60

ENERGY STAR Homes Program: Joining the ENERGY STAR Program and Related Activities

No. of 

Activities

Total 

Hours/Year

Exhibit 7

Estimated Annual EPA Burden and Cost

Agency

Hours/ 

Activity

Labor Costs/ 

Activity

Agency Hours and Costs Per Activity* Total Hours and Costs*

Capital 

Startup 

Costs / 

Activity

O&M 

Costs / 

Activity

Total Cost/Year

Partnership Agreement/Commitment Form

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Partners
- - 78

Legal Managerial Technical Clerical

Information Collection Activity $75.50 $70.61 $51.77 $20.79

HVAC Quality Installation Partners

Review Partnership Agreements 0.00 0.25 0.25 0.00 0.50 $30.60 $0.00 $0.00 5 2.50 $153.00

Enter Agreements into iSTAR database 0.00 0.25 0.25 0.00 0.50 $30.60 $0.00 $0.00 5 2.50 $153.00

Subtotal 0.00 0.50 0.50 0.00 1.00 $61.20 $0.00 $0.00 5 5.00 $306.00

 Partnership Agreement (PA)

Review electronic IAP commitment 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.00 0.10 $5.18 $0.00 $0.00 50 5.00 $259.00

Contact partner with questions about their IAP 

commitment 0.00 0.00 0.25 0.00 0.25 $12.94 $0.00 $2.00 5 1.25 $74.70

Maintain list of IAP builders in iSTAR 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.10 $2.08 $0.00 $0.00 50 5.00 $104.00

Subtotal 0.00 0.00 varies varies varies varies $0.00 varies varies 11.25 $437.70

 Partnership Agreement (PA)

Maintain list of certified plants in iSTAR 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.10 $2.08 $0.00 $0.00 10 1.00 $20.80

Mail Quality Assurance Providers ENERGY 

STAR labels

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.10 $2.08 $0.00 $2.00 10 1.00 $40.80

Subtotal 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.20 0.20 $4.16 $0.00 $2.00 10 2.00 $61.60

Indoor Air Package (IAP) Supplemental Data

Manufactured and Modular Housing Plant Certification Form

Exhibit 7

Estimated Annual EPA Burden and Cost

Agency

Hours/ 

Activity

Labor Costs/ 

Activity

Agency Hours and Costs Per Activity* Total Hours and Costs*

Capital 

Startup 

Costs / 

Activity

O&M 

Costs / 

Activity

Total Cost/Year

ENERGY STAR Homes Program: Joining the ENERGY STAR Program and Related Activities (continued)

No. of 

Activities

Total 

Hours/Year
- - 79

Legal Managerial Technical Clerical

Information Collection Activity $75.50 $70.61 $51.77 $20.79

Review reports for consistency with ENERGY 

STAR guidelines 0.00 0.00 0.25 0.00 0.25 $12.94 $0.00 $0.00 10 2.50 $129.40

Contact partners to resolve issues related to the 

energy efficiency of new homes 0.00 0.25 2.00 0.00 2.25 $121.19 $0.00 $2.00 10 22.50 $1,231.90

Maintain a record of homeowner complaints in 

iSTAR 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.00 1.00 $20.79 $0.00 $0.00 10 10.00 $207.90

Subtotal 0.00 0.25 2.25 1.00 3.50 $154.92 $0.00 $2.00 10 35.00 $1,569.20

Review data 0.00 0.00 0.25 0.00 0.25 $12.94 $0.00 $0.00 22 5.50 $284.68

Enter information into a tracking spreadsheet 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.10 $2.08 $0.00 $0.00 22 2.20 $45.76

Subtotal 0.00 0.00 0.25 0.10 0.35 $15.02 $0.00 $0.00 22 7.70 $330.44

Review plans 0.00 0.00 2.00 0.00 2.00 $103.54 $0.00 $0.00 8 16.00 $828.32

Contact partners with comments and to discuss 

collaborative efforts 0.00 0.00 2.00 0.00 2.00 $103.54 $0.00 $2.00 8 16.00 $844.32

Subtotal 0.00 0.00 4.00 0.00 4.00 $207.08 $0.00 $2.00 8 32.00 $1,672.64

Receive materials via e-mail, mail, or fax 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.10 $2.08 $0.00 $0.00 8 0.80 $16.64

Review content and materials 0.00 0.00 0.25 0.00 0.25 $12.94 $0.00 $0.00 8 2.00 $103.52

Contact partner with comments within five days 

of receipt 0.00 0.00 0.25 0.00 0.25 $12.94 $0.00 $2.00 8 2.00 $119.52

Subtotal 0.00 0.00 0.50 0.10 0.60 $27.96 $0.00 $2.00 8 4.80 $239.68

TOTAL 0.00 varies varies varies varies varies $0.00 varies varies 1,914.55 $54,336.80

* EPA uses the term 'varies' in the subtotal and/or total row of the exhibit if the total hours or costs vary depending on the number of Agency activities performed.

 Partnership Agreement (PA) & Commitment Form

Home Performance Program Implementation Plan

Update on EEMs and ENERGY STAR Mortgages by Lender Partners

Home Energy Rating Reports

Exhibit 7

Estimated Annual EPA Burden and Cost

Agency

Hours/ 

Activity

Labor Costs/ 

Activity

Agency Hours and Costs Per Activity* Total Hours and Costs*

Capital 

Startup 

Costs / 

Activity

O&M 

Costs / 

Activity

Total Cost/Year

Home Performance Web and Other Marketing Materials

ENERGY STAR Homes Program: Joining the ENERGY STAR Program and Related Activities (continued)

No. of 

Activities

Total 

Hours/Year
- - 80

Legal Managerial Technical Clerical

Information Collection Activity $75.50 $70.61 $51.77 $20.79

Develop questions 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 1.00 $51.77 $0.00 $0.00 1 1.00 $51.77

Call key partners and solicit feedback 0.00 0.00 0.50 0.00 0.50 $25.89 $0.00 $2.00 20 10.00 $557.80

Save feedback in iSTAR 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.10 $2.08 $0.00 $0.00 20 2.00 $41.60

Apply lessons learned to improve 

guidelines and outreach efforts 0.00 0.00 2.00 0.00 2.00 $103.54 $0.00 $0.00 1 2.00 $103.54

Subtotal 0.00 0.00 varies varies varies varies $0.00 varies varies 15.00 $754.71

Call inactive partners regarding 

reasons for their inactivity 0.00 0.00 0.50 0.00 0.50 $25.89 $0.00 $2.00 75 37.50 $2,091.75

Update iSTAR with new information 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.10 $2.08 $0.00 $0.00 40 4.00 $83.20

Apply lessons learned to improve 

guidelines and outreach efforts 0.00 0.00 2.00 0.00 2.00 $103.54 $0.00 $0.00 1 2.00 $103.54

Subtotal 0.00 0.00 varies varies varies varies $0.00 varies varies 43.50 $2,278.49

Develop questions 0.00 0.00 3.00 0.00 3.00 $155.31 $0.00 $0.00 1 3.00 $155.31

Solicit and document feedback 0.00 0.00 1.50 0.00 1.50 $77.66 $0.00 $2.00 1,000 1,500.00 $79,660.00

Save feedback in iSTAR 0.00 0.00 0.20 0.00 0.20 $10.35 $0.00 $0.00 1,000 200.00 $10,350.00

Apply lessons learned to improve 

program guidelines and outreach efforts 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 1.00 $51.77 $0.00 $0.00 1 1.00 $51.77

Subtotal 0.00 0.00 varies 0.00 varies varies $0.00 varies varies 1,704.00 $90,217.08

Feedback from Key Partners

Contacting Inactive Partners

Evaluation of Homeowner Satisfaction with ENERGY STAR Homes

Total Cost/Year Agency Hours/ 

Activity

Labor Costs/ 

Activity

Capital Startup 

Costs / Activity

O&M 

Costs / 

Activity

Exhibit 8

Estimated Annual EPA Burden and Cost

ENERGY STAR Homes Program: Evaluation

Agency Hours and Costs Per Activity* Total Hours and Costs*

No. of 

Activities

Total Hours/ 

Year
- - 81

Legal Managerial Technical Clerical

Information Collection Activity $75.50 $70.61 $51.77 $20.79

Evaluation of Utility Bill Data

Facilitate Utility and Home Energy Rater 

partner participation 0.00 0.00 3.00 0.00 3.00 $155.31 $0.00 $0.00 30 90.00 $4,659.30

Send defining criteria to Utility and Home 

Energy Rater partners 0.00 0.00 0.50 0.00 0.50 $25.89 $0.00 $2.00 30 15.00 $836.70

Evaluate submitted data 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.00 0.10 $5.18 $0.00 $0.00 30 3.00 $155.40

Apply lessons learned to improve

program guidelines 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 1.00 $51.77 $0.00 $0.00 1 1.00 $51.77

Subtotal 0.00 0.00 varies 0.00 varies varies $0.00 varies varies 109.00 $5,703.17

Develop evaluation criteria 0.00 0.00 3.00 0.00 3.00 $155.31 $0.00 $0.00 1 3.00 $155.31

Facilitate random testing with qualified IR 

Diagnostic technician 0.00 0.00 2.00 0.00 2.00 $103.54 $0.00 $0.00 50 100.00 $5,177.00

Evaluate feedback 0.00 0.00 2.00 0.00 2.00 $103.54 $0.00 $0.00 50 100.00 $5,177.00

Apply lessons learned to improve training 

and program guidelines 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 1.00 $51.77 $0.00 $0.00 1 1.00 $51.77

Subtotal 0.00 0.00 varies 0.00 varies varies $0.00 varies varies 204.00 $10,561.08

Evaluation of How Partners Learned about the Program

Develop options for prospective partner 

to select

0.00 0.00 3.00 0.00 3.00 $155.31 $0.00 $0.00 1 3.00 $155.31

Request prospective partners selection 

via OPA

0.00 0.00 0.50 0.00 0.50 $25.89 $0.00 $0.00 3,000 1,500.00 $77,670.00

Evaluate submitted data 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.00 0.10 $5.18 $0.00 $0.00 3,000 300.00 $15,540.00

Apply lessons learned to improve 

program direction

0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 1.00 $51.77 $0.00 $0.00 1 1.00 $51.77

Subtotal 0.00 0.00 varies 0.00 varies varies $0.00 varies varies 1,804.00 $93,417.08

Infrared (IR) Camera Image Evaluation of ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes

Total Cost/Year Agency Hours/ 

Activity

Labor Costs/ 

Activity

Capital Startup 

Costs / Activity

O&M 

Costs / 

Activity

Exhibit 8

Estimated Annual EPA Burden and Cost

ENERGY STAR Homes Program: Evaluation (continued)

Agency Hours and Costs Per Activity* Total Hours and Costs*

No. of 

Activities

Total Hours/ 

Year
- - 82

Legal Managerial Technical Clerical

Information Collection Activity $75.50 $70.61 $51.77 $20.79

Develop questions 0.00 0.00 3.00 0.00 3.00 $155.31 $0.00 $0.00 1 3.00 $155.31

Solicit and document feedback 0.00 0.00 0.50 0.00 0.50 $25.89 $0.00 $2.00 41 20.50 $1,143.49

Summarize feedback 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 1.00 $51.77 $0.00 $0.00 41 41.00 $2,122.57

Apply lessons learned to improve

guidelines and outreach efforts 0.00 0.00 2.00 0.00 2.00 $103.54 $0.00 $0.00 1 2.00 $103.54

Subtotal 0.00 0.00 varies 0.00 varies varies $0.00 varies varies 66.50 $3,524.91

Call partners and solicit and document 

feedback 0.00 0.00 0.50 0.00 0.50 $25.89 $0.00 $2.00 10 5.00 $278.90

Summarize feedback from key

partners 0.00 0.00 0.25 0.00 0.25 $12.94 $0.00 $0.00 10 2.50 $129.40

Apply lessons learned to improve

HOST reporting process 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 1.00 $51.77 $0.00 $0.00 1 1.00 $51.77

Subtotal 0.00 0.00 varies 0.00 varies varies $0.00 varies varies 8.50 $460.07

Develop questions 0.00 0.00 1.00 1.00 2.00 $72.56 $0.00 $0.00 1 2.00 $72.56

Call partners and solicit and document 

feedback 0.00 0.00 0.50 0.00 0.50 $25.89 $0.00 $2.00 150 75.00 $4,183.50

Summarize feedback from key

partners 0.00 0.00 0.25 0.00 0.25 $12.94 $0.00 $0.00 150 37.50 $1,941.00

Save feedback in iSTAR and Web 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.10 $2.08 $0.00 $0.00 150 15.00 $312.00

Subtotal 0.00 0.00 varies varies varies varies $0.00 varies varies 129.50 $6,509.06

Evaluation of HOST Online Reporting Systems

Evaluation of ENERGY STAR Outreach Materials and Initiatives

Total Cost/Year Agency Hours/ 

Activity

Labor Costs/ 

Activity

Capital Startup 

Costs / Activity

O&M 

Costs / 

Activity

Exhibit 8

Estimated Annual EPA Burden and Cost

ENERGY STAR Homes Program: Evaluation (continued)

Agency Hours and Costs Per Activity* Total Hours and Costs*

No. of 

Activities

Total Hours/ 

Year

Evaluation of REEP Partners' Knowledge of ENERGY STAR Sponsorship Programs
- - 83

Legal Managerial Technical Clerical

Information Collection Activity $75.50 $70.61 $51.77 $20.79

Develop questions 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 1.00 $51.77 $0.00 $0.00 1 1.00 $51.77

Contact partners and solicit and 

document 

feedback

0.00 0.00 0.50 0.00 0.50 $25.89 $0.00 $2.00 10 5.00 $278.90

Summarize feedback from key

partners 0.00 0.00 0.25 0.00 0.25 $12.94 $0.00 $0.00 10 2.50 $129.40

Save feedback in iSTAR 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.10 $2.08 $0.00 $0.00 10 1.00 $20.80

Apply lessons learned to improve

guidelines and outreach efforts 0.00 1.00 1.00 0.00 2.00 $122.38 $0.00 $0.00 1 2.00 $122.38

Subtotal 0.00 varies varies varies varies varies $0.00 varies varies 11.50 $603.25

Evaluation of ENERGY STAR’s Impact on Residential Energy Use

Identify a subset of homeowners to study 0.00 0.00 1.00 1.00 2.00 $72.56 $0.00 $0.00 1 2.00 $72.56

Obtain permission from homeowners to 

collect energy use histories from utilities 

and energy suppliers

0.00 0.00 0.50 0.00 0.50 $25.89 $0.00 $0.00 1,000 500.00 $25,890.00

Contact utilities and energy suppliers to 

obtain energy use histories for 

homeowners granted permission

0.00 0.00 0.25 0.00 0.25 $12.94 $0.00 $0.00 30 7.50 $388.20

Compile and analyze energy use 

histories to determine the average 

energy saving of program participants

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.10 $2.08 $0.00 $0.00 30 3.00 $62.40

Subtotal 0.00 0.00 varies varies varies varies $0.00 $0.00 varies 512.50 $26,413.16

TOTAL 0.00 varies varies varies varies varies $0.00 varies varies 4,608.00 $240,442.06

* EPA uses the term 'varies' in the subtotal and/or total row of the exhibit if the total hours or costs vary depending on the number of Agency activities performed. 

Total Cost/Year Agency Hours/ 

Activity

Labor Costs/ 

Activity

Capital Startup 

Costs / Activity

O&M 

Costs / 

Activity

Exhibit 8

Estimated Annual EPA Burden and Cost

ENERGY STAR Homes Program: Evaluation (continued)

Agency Hours and Costs Per Activity* Total Hours and Costs*

No. of 

Activities

Total Hours/ 

Year

Evaluation of EEMs, ENERGY STAR Mortgages, and Financing's Impact on Demand for Energy Efficient Homes
- - 84

Legal Managerial Technical Clerical

Information Collection Activity $75.50 $70.61 $51.77 $20.79

Train new partners on quarterly 

reporting tool 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.00 1.00 $51.77 $0.00 $0.00 10 10.00 $517.70

Contact partners quarterly to request 

reports 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.10 $2.08 $0.00 $0.00 480 48.00 $998.40

Review partner report submissions 0.00 0.00 0.17 0.00 0.17 $8.80 $0.00 $0.00 480 81.60 $4,224.00

Contact partners to resolve errors or 

issues 0.00 0.00 0.25 0.00 0.25 $12.94 $0.00 $0.00 48 12.00 $621.12

Make changes to report data if 

necessary

0.00 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.05 $2.59 $0.00 $0.00 48 2.40 $124.32

Accept report data into iSTAR 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.10 $2.08 $0.00 $0.00 480 48.00 $998.40

Operate and maintain iSTAR and Web 

site 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $12,000.00 1 0.00 $12,000.00

Fulfill requests for ENERGY STAR 

labels 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.10 $2.08 $0.00 $2.00 120 12.00 $489.60

TOTAL 0.00 0.00 varies varies varies varies $0.00 varies varies 214.00 $19,973.54

* EPA uses the term 'varies' in the subtotal and/or total row of the exhibit if the total hours or costs vary depending on the number of Agency activities performed. 

Exhibit 9

Estimated Annual EPA Burden and Cost

ENERGY STAR Homes Program: Quarterly Reports

Agency

Hours/ 

Activity

Labor Costs/ 

Activity

Agency Hours and Costs Per Activity* Total Hours and Costs*

Capital Startup 

Costs / Activity

O&M Costs 

/ Activity

No. of 

Activities

Total Hours/ 

Year

Total 

Cost/Year
- - 85

Legal Managerial Technical Clerical

Information Collection Activity $75.50 $70.61 $51.77 $20.79

Contact key partners to inform them of 

the annual award application process 0.00 0.00 0.25 0.00 0.25 $12.94 $0.00 $0.00 30 7.50 $388.20

Develop award winner selection criteria 0.00 1.00 1.00 0.00 2.00 $122.38 $0.00 $0.00 1 2.00 $122.38

Review award applications and 

supporting materials 0.00 0.00 1.50 0.00 1.50 $77.66 $0.00 $0.00 111 166.50 $8,620.26

Summarize application information for 

all applicants 0.00 0.00 5.00 0.00 5.00 $258.85 $0.00 $0.00 1 5.00 $258.85

Select award winners 0.00 0.50 0.50 0.00 1.00 $61.19 $0.00 $100.00 10 10.00 $1,611.90

Contact winners and non-winners 0.00 0.00 0.25 0.00 0.25 $12.94 $0.00 $0.44 111 27.75 $1,485.18

TOTAL 0.00 varies varies 0.00 varies varies $0.00 varies varies 218.75 $12,486.77

* EPA uses the term 'varies' in the subtotal and/or total row of the exhibit if the total hours or costs vary depending on the number of Agency activities performed. 

Total 

Cost/Year

Exhibit 10

Estimated Annual EPA Burden and Cost

Agency

Hours/ 

Activity

Labor Costs/ 

Activity

Agency Hours and Costs Per Activity* Total Hours and Costs*

Capital 

Startup Costs 

/ Activity

ENERGY STAR Homes Program: ENERGY STAR Awards

O&M Costs 

/ Activity

No. of 

Activities

Total Hours/ 

Year
- - 86

Legal Managerial Technical Clerical

Information Collection Activity $75.50 $70.61 $51.77 $20.79

Contact partners to solicit applications for the 

outreach partnership 0.00 0.00 3.00 0.00 3.00 $155.31 $0.00 $2.00 41 123.00 $6,449.71

Review partner applications and select participants 0.00 0.00 0.25 0.00 0.25 $12.94 $0.00 $0.00 41 10.25 $530.54

Coordinate development of outreach materials 0.00 0.00 2.00 0.00 2.00 $103.54 $0.00 $2.00 41 82.00 $4,327.14

Review outreach materials 0.00 0.00 2.00 0.00 2.00 $103.54 $0.00 $0.00 41 82.00 $4,245.14

Coordinate with partners in placing outreach 

materials in mass media 0.00 0.00 4.00 0.00 4.00 $207.08 $0.00 $2.00 41 164.00 $8,572.28

TOTAL 0.00 0.00 11.25 0.00 11.25 $582.41 $0.00 $6.00 41 461.25 $24,124.81

* EPA uses the term 'varies' in the subtotal and/or total row of the exhibit if the total hours or costs vary depending on the number of Agency activities performed. 

No. of 

Activities

Total Hours/ 

Year

Total 

Cost/Year

Exhibit 11

Estimated Annual EPA Burden and Cost

ENERGY STAR Homes Program: Outreach Partnership

Agency 

Hours/ 

Activity

Labor 

Costs/ 

Activity

Agency Hours and Costs Per Activity* Total Hours and Costs*

Capital 

Startup Costs 

/ Activity

O&M Costs 

/ Activity