A home meeting the IRC requirements is assigned an energy rating of 100, while a home using no energy is assigned an energy rating of 0. So, a home qualifying for ENERGY STAR must have a minimum rating of 100 ? 15%, or 85. It is interesting to note that many ENERGY STAR Partner Builders in the Piedmont Triad, North Carolina commonly include energy-saving features that make them 20 to 30% more efficient and thus earn a rating of 80 to 70. (Remember, the lower the rating number, the better the measured energy efficiency, and the lower the household energy cost.)

How do we know a home is truly at least 15% more energy efficient, as opposed to just having an ENERGY STAR poster stuck in the window? The ENERGY STAR rating is earned only after rigid product verification and/or testing by independent ENERGY STAR partner raters/verifiers.

The verification and testing results are then sent to a Regional Home Energy Rating System (HERS) provider who will double check the inputs, rate the home and most importantly, issue the ENERGY STAR certificate. Always look for this certificate label to verify a home truly meets Energy Star Requirements.

There are many things that can be done to make a home more efficient and earn the ENERGY STAR label-and yes, an existing home can be modified to become an ENERGY STAR home. However, it is much more efficient and cost effective to provide these features in new homes since they can be incorporated in the planning before construction ever starts. And some retrofits in existing homes are just plain not cost-effective-things like ineffective insulation installation now covered by sheetrock and molding, tearing out and replacing equipment and duct work, etc. However, there are many cost effective things that can be done to make existing homes more energy efficient, and this will be the subject of a future blog entry.

But for now, what are the areas commonly addressed in the construction to earn the ENERGY STAR rating? In general, the following general areas are utilized with considerable emphasis on just how deeply each area can be incorporated and still remain cost effective.

TIGHT CONSTRUCTION AND DUCTS
Incorporating techniques for sealing cracks and holes in the home´s envelope and ducts.

EFFECTIVE INSULATION
Properly sized, installed and inspected in floors, walls and attics.

EFFICIENT HEATING & COOLING EQUIPMENT
Utilizing actual engineering heat load calculations, to properly size and specify equipment and determine duct layout.

HIGH PERFORMANCE WINDOWS
Utilizing window employing advanced coating and frame assembly technologies.

EFFICIENT PRODUCTS
Use ENERGY STAR rated appliances, lighting fixtures, compact fluorescent bulbs, ventilation fans, etc.

INDEPENDENT TESTING
Don´t just make claims, back up these claims with verification by an independent ENERGY STAR rater.

To earn the ENERGY STAR rating, a home must meet guidelines for energy efficiency set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. These homes must be at least 15% more energy efficient when compared to homes still routinely 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.