In order for a home to qualify for Energy Star certification, a set of energy efficient guidelines, set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, must be met. New homes that are Energy Star qualified are 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC). Additional energy saving products and materials used in Energy Star certified homes make them 20% to 30% more energy efficient than a standard built home.
In order to earn the Energy Star certification, a home must be three stories or less and verified that it meets the EPA’s guidelines. Energy Star qualified new homes include single-family homes, attached homes, low-rise multifamily homes, concrete homes, modular homes, manufactured homes, log homes, and existing retrofitted homes.
There are many components of energy efficient features, that not only reduce energy consumption and lower utility bills, but also improve the quality of living for the homeowner. Below is information on the building processes that are implemented in an Energy Star qualified home.
(i) Properly Installed Insulation – to achieve maximum energy efficiency in a home a builder must not only use the correct type of insulation, but insure that the insulation has been properly installed. Using inadequate insulation, or leaving gaps and holes in an insulated wall, will either cause excessive heat gain or loss, which forces air conditioning and heating systems to work overtime.
(ii) Dual-Pane Windows – to prevent heat from entering the home via sunlight through the window, and cool air from escaping a home, the builder must use Energy Star qualified windows. Benefits of Energy Star windows include helping to reduce utility costs, improve comfort for residents, protect the home’s carpet and furnishings from sun damage, and prevent condensation build up.
(iii) Tightly Sealed Home – to reduce undesirable heat gain and loss from air conditioning duct systems, the builder must properly seal holes, cracks, and joints. A properly sealed air duct system will improve air quality by reducing pollens, dust, and other pollutants from entering into the home.
(iv) Heating & Cooling Efficiency – to lower energy use, reduce indoor humidity, and to improve the overall comfort level in the home, the builder should use Energy Star qualified heating and cooling systems.
(v) Energy Efficient Products & Fixtures – Energy Star qualified products offer the most advanced energy saving technology and include lighting fixtures, CFL (compact fluorescent bulbs), ventilation fans, and typical home appliances – refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, and ovens/stoves.
Many builders offer Energy Star certified green homes. Below you will find a list of several green home builders who are currently providing Energy Star qualified new homes, some of which offer homes with additional green certification.
Alabama Energy Star Builders
Alaska Energy Star Builders
Alternative Building Concepts, Inc.
Arizona Energy Star Builders
Arkansas Energy Star Builders
Jacob White Construction Company
California Energy Star Builders
Colorado Energy Star Builders
Connecticut Energy Star Builders
Delaware Energy Star Builders
Florida Energy Star Builders
Vision Homes of Southwest Florida
Adams Homes of Northwest Florida
Georgia Energy Star Builders
Hawaii Energy Star Builders
Idaho Energy Star Builders
Illinois Energy Star Builders
Indiana Energy Star Builders
Iowa Energy Star Builders
Advantage Building & Construction
Kansas Energy Star Builders
Kentucky Energy Star Builders
Louisiana Energy Star Builders
Maine Energy Star Builders
Maryland Energy Star Builders
Massachusetts Energy Star Builders
Michigan Energy Star Builders
Minnesota Energy Star Builders
Mississippi Energy Star Builders
Adams Homes of Northwest Florida
Missouri Energy Star Builders
Montana Energy Star Builders
High Country Construction of Montana
Nebraska Energy Star Builders
Nevada Energy Star Builders
New Hampshire Energy Star Builders
New Jersey Energy Star Builders
New Mexico Energy Star Builders
New York Energy Star Builders
North Carolina Energy Star Builders
Blueline Builders of North Carolina, Inc.
North Dakota Energy Star Builders
Ohio Energy Star Builders
Denlinger & Sons Builders, Inc.
Oklahoma Energy Star Builders
Oregon Energy Star Builders
Pennsylvania Energy Star Builders
Rhode Island Energy Star Builders
South Carolina Energy Star Builders
South Dakota Energy Star Builders
Tennessee Energy Star Builders
The Jones Company of Tennessee, LLC
Texas Energy Star Builders
Utah Energy Star Builders
Vermont Energy Star Builders
Virginia Energy Star Builders
Washington Energy Star Builders
West Virginia Energy Star Builders
Wisconsin Energy Star Builders
Wyoming
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i think this would be really great idea…so thats the way it can controll the over consuption of energy and will help to maintail standard level.thanx for sharing this information…the websites list for builders is excellent….thanx.
That was a great breakdown of what a home labeld “Energy Star” actually means! Thanks for all those great links too; those will be very helpful for all the home owners seeking to buy greener homes.
Thanks for the links by states. The new standard set by the EPA will help to unify all standards. Consumers will know what they are getting.Consistency among builders.
What is the difference between the Energy Star program and others I have heard of … Ecomagination and Environments for Living? Do any of them have a guarantee or anything other than “on paper” hypothetical benefits?
I’m sorry, I forgot LEED certification as another program. Still wondering about the difference.
Hi Marc,
Excellent question… here is a snippet from an artilce on the EnergyStar website.
–ENERGY STAR is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program that focuses on improving energy performance in buildings as a method of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a green building certification offered by the non-profit U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
I mean just changing the light bulbs in your home to CFL’s you can save 40% on your electricity bill.
The designers and architects, which increases buyer satisfaction and value.i think this would be really great idea, the websites list for builders is excellent.
Well, I never know this before i came here. Energy Star Certified Home Concept is really a great idea. Energy saving is the need of current scenario and such steps would only encourage people to go green and save the energy and save the environment.
As far as I remember it's based on Active and Sleep power Modes. To qualify as ENERGY STAR, computer monitor models must not exceed the following maximum active power consumption equation: "Y = 38X + 30". Y is expressed in watts and rounded up to the nearest whole number and X is the number of megapixels in decimal form .
Thanks for this very comprehensive list, you are clearly good at sharing your thought leadership on builders.
There are certain carpets that are going to be much more environmentally friendly and acceptable to the energy star certification. Do some research and you should be in business.
This is the way of the future, as more and more people are building house they are now concerned more than ever with having energy efficient homes. From insulation, to water recycling, these energy star homes are an awesome way to save money and protect the environment
We are missing from your list of Energy Star certified builders in Louisiana but are on the Energy Star website.
Loren@Louisiana Home Builders´s last blog ..Louisiana Solar Tax Credit
This is great, I mean it’s good that they’re taking a good step. For homes built well before 2004 can get their homes rebuild next time they plan to do so by these home builders. At least make it efficient in some ways and there are probably other ways as well to make your home energy efficient and environmental friendly.
This is a great list to refer to no doubt. However, most people are still confused about what replacement window entitles them to the federal tax rebate. Some Energy Star labels that are stamped on windows and doors simply don’t comply. Ask your local salesman or supplier for more details.
Good information. Energy Star Certification for new homes as well as increasing the energy efficiency on your current home saves money in the long run. It’s definitely a must to consider a homes energy efficiency before contemplating an alternative energy system for the home.
CW@Alternative Energy Guides´s last blog ..Alternative Energy
Energy Star is an excellent idea and the percentage of energy savings versus equipment made just 6 years ago is amazing!
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This is a great idea as the constuction industry should create buildings that help reduce the ammount of energy used within them and for constuction.