As an international standard for energy efficient consumer
products, Energy Star is an extremely successful program and brand in terms of
consumer recognition. Many consumers are familiar with the Energy
Star logo; they have seen it for years when shopping for computers, appliances,
and other energy using products.

Owned by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Energy
Star program and brand started as a voluntary labeling program for energy
efficient computers. The brand was created in 1992. Since then, Energy Star has expanded far
beyond computers to a wide variety of consumer products, including kitchen
appliances, heating and cooling equipment, and a wide variety of other products. Energy Star employs energy efficiency
standards that result in products that are far more energy efficient than
comparable products.

Manufacturers of energy using products are allowed to market
their products and put the Energy Star logo on items that meet Energy Star’s
energy-efficiency requirements. Each product class has its own set of energy
efficiency standards.

Energy Star has developed a program for energy-efficient homes. The Energy Star program for Homes, built to meet
energy efficient requirements, was developed specifically for the U.S.
market. Homes that are built meeting Energy
Star standards are at least 15 percent more energy efficient than the 2009
Energy (efficiency) code (IECC).
Homebuilders may market their product as Energy Star after their product
has been verified by a third party “Rater”. A Rater has extensive knowledge of the Energy
Star for Homes program, good knowledge of building science, and knows how to
work with energy modeling software. A
Rater inspects homes, completes checklists of required energy efficient
features and performs tests, such as blower door tests.

As well as attaining energy efficiency, the Energy Star for
homes program seeks to improve comfort and indoor air quality. By constructing a much better built home, energy
efficiency, comfort, and indoor air quality can be achieved.

A better built home, that meets Energy Star requirements,
has building components that are superior to those found in typical homes. More energy efficient insulation and windows is
installed than typical. Heating,
ventilating, and air-conditioning systems are more energy efficient than one
normally sees. Drafts and air leakage are
greatly reduced from what is seen in typical construction. Other features in a home that are upgraded,
for the sake of energy efficiency and comfort, include lighting, kitchen and
laundry appliances, fireplaces, roof and siding color, and attic ventilation.

The Energy Star program has minimum requirements for all of
the building components listed above.
These minimum requirements vary throughout the country in order to match
the differing climatic conditions in our large country. Our various climates present different types
of needs to keep homes warm or cool.

The Energy Star program considers the size of the home and
number of occupants to determine just how energy efficient the home must be. The program requires larger than typical homes
be more energy efficient than a smaller home seeking certification. This is accomplished by requiring a larger
home to use more insulation, a more efficient furnace, or take other efficiency
measures.

Homes built to the standards of the Energy Star program
typically save occupants 20 percent on their energy bill, resulting in enormous
savings. Comfort is provided with
consistent temperatures across rooms and in all parts of the house. Indoor air quality is enhanced by the reduction
of dust, pollen, and excessive humidity.

The Energy Star Home program is extremely popular with the
public. Homebuilders have met their
customers’ demands for Energy Star certified homes. Many homebuilders build to Energy Star
standards entirely and no longer build conventional homes. According to the EPA, nationally, 25 percent
of all new homes built in 2010 were built in accordance with the Energy Star
program requirements. In Colorado, 45
percent of all new homes in 2010 were built to the Energy Star standard and
were certified.

In coming years, the Energy Star program requirements will
continue to rise. A larger portion of
the public will learn about the program and many consumers will purchase Energy
Star homes. Each of these consumers will
have homes that are more energy-efficient, comfortable, and have much better
indoor air quality.