ENERGY STAR

An Introduction

Why join ENERGY STAR?

• Poor market conditions

– Market swamped with distressed homes

– Tight credit

– Long-term escalating energy costs

– Nervous consumers looking for bargains

Why join ENERGY STAR?

• Growing consumer interest in

sustainability, green, energy efficiency

– Growing interest across market segments

• 49% of prospective buyers rank energy efficiency

features “important” (31% rank luxuries important)

• 89% willing to pay more for them

– Skepticism of greenwashing

Why join ENERGY STAR?

• Liability Concerns

– Construction defect litigation

– Warranty calls

– IR technology

< $2,000

Why join ENERGY STAR?

Why join ENERGY STAR?

Why join ENERGY STAR?

Why join ENERGY STAR?

• Challenges

– Competition from

existing homes

– Nervous consumers

– Interest in,

skepticism about

green

– New technology

shows building

performance flaws

• Opportunities

– Proof of superior

quality

– Real, trustworthy

environmental

performance

– Internal QC

Why join ENERGY STAR?

• “Of all the leading brand names that

Ryland strategically associates itself with,

none has more power or market

recognition than ENERGY STAR.”

– Ryland Homes

Why join ENERGY STAR?

• “The consumer benefits of cost savings,

coupled with a growing concern for

environmental issues such as climate

change, have become instrumental to the

success of our marketing efforts and

referral activity.”

– Segal & Morel

Why join ENERGY STAR?

• “Our subcontractors send their best crews

because they know their work will be

inspected.”

– Astoria Homes

Why join ENERGY STAR?

Is ENERGY STAR right for

you?

• What is ENERGY STAR for Homes?

• A voluntary label that:

– Defines energy efficiency

– Helps builders sell energy-efficient homes

Is ENERGY STAR right for

you?

• Defines energy efficiency

• Helps builders sell energy-efficient homes

• Features – Advanced technology

– Advanced design &

construction techniques

– Verification

• Messages – Quality

– Affordability

– Responsibility

• Tools – Trusted national brand

– Marketing training, tools, and collateral

Is ENERGY STAR right for

you?

Is ENERGY STAR right for

you?

• What do you get out?

– Reduce liability and defects

– Eliminate competition from existing

homes

– Compete more effectively on quality,

affordability, environmental responsibility

– Increase customer satisfaction

Is ENERGY STAR right for

you?

• What do you put in?

– Changes in materials and equipment

– Changes in construction process

– Cost of rating

– Changes in marketing strategy and sales

process

• “If you’re not telling your story, you’re

giving it away.”

– Vernon McKown

Is ENERGY STAR right for

you?

• Will the guidelines help you build

better homes?

• Can you use EPA resources and your

own marketing know-how to sell these

improvements?

• How can you most effectively integrate

ENERGY STAR into your business?

Getting Started

1. Find a Home Energy Rater

Getting started

2. Compare current practices to ENERGY

STAR

3. Get your team’s commitment

– Use webinars, presentations, your rater

4. Sign a Partnership Agreement

– www.energystar.gov/homesPA

Getting started

5. Integrate ENERGY STAR

– Start with Educational Resources at

www.energystar.gov/homes

– Design, purchasing, construction

– Marketing, sales

Getting started