ENERGY STAR®

Qualified New Homes

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPA 430-F-09-053 March 2009

ENERGY STAR®

Qualified New Homes

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPA 430-F-09-053 March 2009

UNITED STATESENVIRONMENTALPROTECTION AGENCY6202JWASHINGTON DC 20460

Recycled/Recyclable—Printed with vegetable oil based inks on recycled paper (Minimum 50% post-consumer content)

"I would recommend ENERGY STAR to anyone looking to buy a new home. If this house weren't ENERGY STAR rated, I wouldn't have bought it."

David Vidal, Homeowner Las Vegas, NV

“Buyers know that if they see the ENERGY STAR, then it’s all in there. They can rest assured that they are buying the most energy efficient home on the market, and they can focus on other priorities such as finding the right floor plan and school district.”

Margaret Greenwood, Marketing Manager, Ryland Homes ENERGY STAR Builder Partner

Houston, TX

“Our ENERGY STAR home met so many needs. We wanted lots of light, a tight house, and low cooling bills. We got exactly that—ENERGY STAR really does work!”

Sam and Churice Westbrook, Homeowners Avondale, AZ

“My biggest selling point for buying an ENERGY STAR home was resale value. I would highly recommend ENERGY STAR to anyone because it will definitely save them money in the long run.”

Barry Ellison, Homeowner/Architect Las Vegas, NV

“As consumers become more educated and familiar with all of these benefits that energy efficiency has to offer, in 5 years non-ENERGY STAR rated homes will become functionally obsolete.”

Karl Sayles, Darty Appraisal Service Melrose, FL

ENERGY STAR QUALIFIED HOMESHOME OWNER BENEFITSADDED CONFIDENCE Home buying is complex enough without having to know all thedetails of energy-efficient construction. Instead, look for thegovernment-backed ENERGY STAR to easily identify homes thatare truly energy efficient. Find the house of your dreams andenjoy peace of mind knowing that it also meets rigorous energyefficiency guidelines set by EPA and verified by an independentHome Energy Rater.

LOWER OWNERSHIP COSTCompared with standard construction, ENERGY STAR qualifiedhomes use substantially less energy for heating, cooling, andwater heating—delivering $200 to $400 in annual savings.Although these energy savings may seem small relative to thecost of monthly mortgage payments, no one likes to waste money.And over the 7 or 8 years that a typical buyer lives in a home, itcan add up to thousands of dollars saved. Additional savings onmaintenance can also be significant.

BETTER PERFORMANCEProperly installed energy-efficient improvements deliver betterprotection against cold, heat, drafts, moisture, pests, pollution,and noise. An ENERGY STAR qualified home helps ensureconsistent temperatures between rooms, improved indoor airquality, and greater durability.

Homes that earn the ENERGY STAR preventgreenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines set by theU.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

For more information, visit www.energystar.gov

SMARTER INVESTMENTTo date, more than 6,500 home builders have partnered withEPA to construct nearly 940,000 ENERGY STAR qualified homes.By 2010, more than 1 million homes are expected to earn theENERGY STAR. The trend is clear. By choosing a home with theENERGY STAR, you can be confident that it will have anincreasingly valued feature when the time comes to sell.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONEnergy used in our homes often comes from the burning offossil fuels at power plants. Because ENERGY STAR qualifiedhomes use less energy, they help prevent greenhouse gasemissions—an added benefit for today’s environmentally-conscious consumers looking for “green” choices.

Greater energy efficiency helps us all make the most of ourenergy resources, mitigates the impact of high energy prices,decreases the need for new power plants, lowers our relianceon energy imports, and reduces the emissions of greenhousegases and air pollutants at the source.

WHAT IS ENERGY STAR®? ENERGY STAR is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency. The mark identifies new homes, buildings, and more than 60 types of products that are energy efficient and offer the features, quality, and performance that today’s consumers expect.

A home that earns the ENERGY STAR is significantly more efficient than a standard home. By purchasing an ENERGY STAR qualified home, you can have all the features you desire in your new home, plus better performance and lower utility bills—all while helping prevent greenhouse gas emissions.

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1992 as a voluntary partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers consumers and businesses energy-efficient solutions to save energy, save money, and help protect the environment for future generations.

More than 15,000 organizations, including over 6,500 of the nation’s home builders, are ENERGY STAR partners— committed to improving energy efficiency at home and at work. In 2008, Americans with the help of ENERGY STAR saved $19 billion on their utility bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 29 million vehicles.

WHAT MAKES A HOME ENERGY STAR? Homes that earn the ENERGY STAR are significantly more energy efficient than standard homes.1 ENERGY STAR builders achieve this high efficiency for you by selecting from a variety of features:

TIGHT CONSTRUCTION AND DUCTS Advanced techniques for sealing holes and cracks in the home’s “envelope” and in heating and cooling ducts help reduce drafts, moisture, dust, pollen, pests, and noise. A tightly sealed home improves comfort and indoor air quality while lowering utility and maintenance costs.

EFFECTIVE INSULATION SYSTEMS Properly installed and inspected insulation in floors, walls, and attics ensures even temperatures throughout the house, while using less energy. The result is lower utility costs and a quieter, more comfortable home.

EFFICIENT HEATING AND COOLING EQUIPMENT An energy-efficient, properly installed heating and cooling system uses less energy to operate, which reduces your utility bills. This system can also be quieter, reduce indoor humidity, and improve the overall comfort of your home.

HIGH PERFORMANCE WINDOWS Energy-efficient windows employ advanced technologies, such as protective coatings and improved frame assemblies, to help keep heat in during the winter and out during the summer. These windows also block damaging ultraviolet sunlight that can discolor carpets and furnishings.

EFFICIENT PRODUCTS Your home may also be equipped with ENERGY STAR qualified products—lighting fixtures, compact fluorescent bulbs, ventilation fans, and appliances—that offer additional energy savings.

INDEPENDENT TESTING While it's easy to claim that homes are energy efficient, ENERGY STAR builder partners back that up with verification by an independent Home Energy Rater. The Rater conducts onsite inspections and testing to verify the performance of the energy efficiency features in your home.

1 ENERGY STAR qualified homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC) and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20-30% more efficient than standard homes.

WHAT ISENERGY STAR®?ENERGY STAR is the government-backed symbol for energyefficiency. The mark identifies new homes, buildings, andmore than 60 types of products that are energy efficient andoffer the features, quality, and performance that today’sconsumers expect.

A home that earns the ENERGY STAR is significantly moreefficient than a standard home. By purchasing an ENERGYSTAR qualified home, you can have all the features youdesire in your new home, plus better performance andlower utility bills—all while helping prevent greenhouse gas emissions.

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency (EPA) in 1992 as a voluntary partnershipto reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increasedenergy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers consumersand businesses energy-efficient solutions to save energy,save money, and help protect the environment for futuregenerations.

More than 15,000 organizations, including over 6,500 of thenation’s home builders, are ENERGY STAR partners—committed to improving energy efficiency at home and atwork. In 2008, Americans with the help of ENERGY STARsaved $19 billion on their utility bills and reducedgreenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 29 million vehicles.

WHAT MAKES A HOMEENERGY STAR?Homes that earn the ENERGY STAR are significantly more energyefficient than standard homes.1 ENERGY STAR builders achievethis high efficiency for you by selecting from a variety of features:

TIGHT CONSTRUCTION AND DUCTSAdvanced techniques for sealing holes and cracks in thehome’s “envelope” and in heating and cooling ducts helpreduce drafts, moisture, dust, pollen, pests, and noise. A tightlysealed home improves comfort and indoor air quality whilelowering utility and maintenance costs.

EFFECTIVE INSULATION SYSTEMSProperly installed and inspected insulation in floors, walls, andattics ensures even temperatures throughout the house, whileusing less energy. The result is lower utility costs and a quieter,more comfortable home.

EFFICIENT HEATING AND COOLING EQUIPMENTAn energy-efficient, properly installed heating and coolingsystem uses less energy to operate, which reduces your utilitybills. This system can also be quieter, reduce indoor humidity,and improve the overall comfort of your home.

HIGH PERFORMANCE WINDOWSEnergy-efficient windows employ advanced technologies, suchas protective coatings and improved frame assemblies, to helpkeep heat in during the winter and out during the summer.These windows also block damaging ultraviolet sunlight thatcan discolor carpets and furnishings.

EFFICIENT PRODUCTSYour home may also be equipped with ENERGY STAR qualifiedproducts—lighting fixtures, compact fluorescent bulbs, ventilationfans, and appliances—that offer additional energy savings.

INDEPENDENT TESTINGWhile it's easy to claim that homes are energy efficient,ENERGY STAR builder partners back that up with verification byan independent Home Energy Rater. The Rater conducts onsiteinspections and testing to verify the performance of the energyefficiency features in your home.

1 ENERGY STAR qualified homes are at least 15% more energy efficient thanhomes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC) and includeadditional energy-saving features that typically make them 20-30% moreefficient than standard homes.

ENERGY STAR QUALIFIED HOMES HOME OWNER BENEFITS ADDED CONFIDENCE Home buying is complex enough without having to know all the details of energy-efficient construction. Instead, look for the government-backed ENERGY STAR to easily identify homes that are truly energy efficient. Find the house of your dreams and enjoy peace of mind knowing that it also meets rigorous energy efficiency guidelines set by EPA and verified by an independent Home Energy Rater.

LOWER OWNERSHIP COST Compared with standard construction, ENERGY STAR qualified homes use substantially less energy for heating, cooling, and water heating—delivering $200 to $400 in annual savings. Although these energy savings may seem small relative to the cost of monthly mortgage payments, no one likes to waste money. And over the 7 or 8 years that a typical buyer lives in a home, it can add up to thousands of dollars saved. Additional savings on maintenance can also be significant.

BETTER PERFORMANCE Properly installed energy-efficient improvements deliver better protection against cold, heat, drafts, moisture, pests, pollution, and noise. An ENERGY STAR qualified home helps ensure consistent temperatures between rooms, improved indoor air quality, and greater durability.

SMARTER INVESTMENT To date, more than 6,500 home builders have partnered with EPA to construct nearly 940,000 ENERGY STAR qualified homes. By 2010, more than 1 million homes are expected to earn the ENERGY STAR. The trend is clear. By choosing a home with the ENERGY STAR, you can be confident that it will have an increasingly valued feature when the time comes to sell.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Energy used in our homes often comes from the burning of fossil fuels at power plants. Because ENERGY STAR qualified homes use less energy, they help prevent greenhouse gas emissions—an added benefit for today’s environmentally-conscious consumers looking for “green” choices.

Greater energy efficiency helps us all make the most of our energy resources, mitigates the impact of high energy prices, decreases the need for new power plants, lowers our reliance on energy imports, and reduces the emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants at the source.

Homes that earn the ENERGY STAR prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

For more information, visit www.energystar.gov

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 6202J WASHINGTON DC 20460

Recycled/Recyclable—Printed with vegetable oil based inks on recycled paper (Minimum 50% post-consumer content)