What does the ENERGY STAR Home certification mean?
It means that your home meets the rigorous performance standards established by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ENERGY STAR homes consume significantly less energy than a similar house built to current energy codes, about 30% less—sometimes the energy savings are even bigger. That means more money in your pocket from lower heating and cooling bills. The certification process starts with a professional energy consultant who conducts computer modeling of your house plans to determine the estimated energy use. If necessary, recommendations are made to help your home meet program standards. Two or more site visits during construction will be made to verify that your home is being built to maximize your energy savings and comfort. Upon completion of these steps, the house is certified as an ENERGY STAR home, and any rebates available from your participating utility companies and energy efficiency service providers are paid. In addition to saving
