EPA Announces Increase In Energy Star Homes for 2008

Jul 14, 2009 by Anna

Below is an exciting press release forwarded to me yesterday about Energy Star Construction.   I have sited in previous posts a preference to the LEED building program because it’s more comprehensive.  However, I want to reiterate that Energy Star Homes can make a significant improvement to both the environment and the quality of air we breath and is a worthy program.  I am posting exerts that apply to our area so this is not the release in it’s entirety.  In addition, for a really cool snap shot of how both our state is fairing in comparison to other states, this is a fantastic link that will permanently live on my links page.  http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=qhmi.showHomesMarketIndexEPA Announces Energy Star Homes Reach Nearly 17 Percent Market Share for 2008 

Quarter Billion Dollars in Annual Utility Savings for Energy Efficient Homes

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that nearly 17 percent of all single-family homes built nationally in 2008 earned EPA’s Energy Star label, up from 12 percent in 2007. Both home builders and home buyers are continuing to invest in high performing homes that save consumers money on their utility bills and help protect the environment.  

“Every year more Americans decide to cut their energy bills and help keep the air clean in their communities by buying a new home that has earned EPA’s Energy Star.  Features like properly installed insulation, high-performance windows and high efficiency heating and cooling can reduce home energy needs by 20 to 30 percent, saving American families thousands of dollars on their utility bills,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson.  “Even in a difficult market, the interest in Energy Star qualified homes keeps rising.  We’re helping builders and home buyers to protect the environment, safeguard our health, and move the country into a low-carbon energy future.” 

Nearly 940,000 Energy Star qualified homes have been built to date, with more than 100,000 of these constructed in 2008.  In 2008 alone, American families living in Energy Star qualified homes locked in annual utility bill savings of more than $250 million — saving over 1.5 billion kWh of electricity and 155 million therms of natural gas while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of nearly 350,000 cars annually.  

To earn the Energy Star label, homes must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by EPA.  Typically they include energy-saving features such as:
•          Effective Insulation Systems
•          High-Performance Windows
•          Tight Construction and Ducts
•          Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment
•          ENERGY STAR Qualified Lighting and Appliances