Save Money and Energy with an Energy Star Home
Typical features of an Energy Star home:
- Superior Insulation Installation - must be installed and rated at Energy Star standards
- High-performance Windows - Energy Star rated windows with a low-E coating
- Tighter Construction/Tighter Ducts - Advanced techniques are used to seal every part of the home, which also reduces noise, moisture, pollen, and dust
- Efficient Heating and Cooling - HVAC systems must be Energy Star rated, and higher than normal performance systems may be required
- Complete Air Barrier - Tested by an independent third-party using a field-verified blower test
Savings that Add Up
Compared with standard homes, Energy Star certified homes use substantially less energy for heating, cooling and water heating - saving your family between $200 and $400 every year. Over the average 5-6 years you may live in your home, this adds up to thousands of dollars saved on your utility bills. With an Energy Star home, you'll also enjoy lower maintenance costs and you may qualify for an energy efficient mortgage. Imagine what you could do with the savings!
A Label You Can Trust
Home buying is complex enough without having to know all the details of energy efficient construction. Instead, look for the government-backed Energy Star label (it can usually be found on the home's utility breaker box) to easily identify homes that are energy efficient. All Energy Star qualified homes pass a series of tests performed by a third-party home energy rating company, like our team at Southern Energy.
A More Comfortable Home
An Energy Star home is designed to perform at an optimal level to provide protection against cold, heat, drafts, moisture, pollution, and noise. As a result, you'll notice more consistent temperatures between and across rooms, improved indoor air quality, and greater durability over the life of the home.
A Smart Investment that Adds Value Over Time
To date, more than 6,500 home builders have partnered with the EPA to construct nearly 940,000 Energy Star certified homes. The trend is clear and we're already seeing Energy Star as a key selling point for homes listed for sale online. By choosing a home with the Energy Star label, you can be confident that it will have an increasingly valued feature when the time comes to sell.
Environmental Benefits
Did you know your home can be a greater source of pollution than your car? In fact, 16 percent of US greenhouse gas emissions are generated from the energy used in houses nationwide. Simply put, the less energy we use in our homes, the less energy we need from power plants that burn coal or other non-renewable sources. At present rates, Energy Star homes are expected to reduce annual carbon emissions in the US by about 4 million tons by 2010.
We partner with more than 300 builders in the Southeast, helping them develop the most cost effective strategy to build high quality Energy Star homes. You can use the link above to find an Energy Star builder near you through the US EPA's website. Some MLS sites will also allow you to search for Energy Star homes for sale in your area. We also recommend attending local green home tours and Parade of Home events to learn about and meet Energy Star builders you may want to consider working with on your next home.
