The Energy-Efficient Home
E-Star offers resources to homeowners so they can own or create energy-efficient,
healthy, and comfortable homes. The E-Star program provides information
that allows homeowners to find or develop homes that use energy sensibly.
Energy-efficient homes can also qualify homebuyers and homeowners for
energy-efficient
loans that provide greater purchasing power. Some energy-efficient
homes have also been designed and built to higher standards for safety
and durability, and are considered High Performance Homes. Homeowners
and homebuyers can order
an Energy Rating from accredited E-Star Raters to determine their
home’s energy performance and assess options for improvement.
More Information:
An Energy-Efficient
Home. An energy-efficient home operates as a system
to reduce energy consumption. Insulation, heating and cooling
equipment, ventilation, and windows and doors work with one
another to produce a comfortable indoor environment that serves
the needs of a homeowner.
Energy efficiency is different from energy conservation. An
example of energy conservation is when a homeowner turns down
the thermostat or takes fewer hot showers than usual. In contrast,
energy efficiency happens when a home is constructed in a
way that energy use is automatically lessened. (Of course,
a homeowner must still act prudently in order to maximize
the benefits of an energy-efficient home – e.g., no
home can be energy-efficient if doors and windows are left
open in the winter.) As a result, a homeowner can have a higher
level of comfort in and enjoyment of an energy efficient home
as compared to a home that is not energy efficient. Energy
efficiency, however, requires some up-front planning by both
the builder of the home and its owner.
Reasons for
Energy Efficiency. Three important facts argue for
owning an energy-efficient home.
Good Investment.Living in an energy-efficient home
saves money on utility bills every month. This saved money
can be used for other things such as college tuition, a new
car, or even new or added amenities in the house itself. In
addition, energy-efficient homes have higher resale value
and appraisers should assess a higher value to such properties.
Conserving energy means less wear and tear on the appliance
and mechanical systems of a home, extending their life and
reducing operating costs. An energy-efficient house may qualify
the owner or buyer for special financial benefits through
an Energy Efficient
Mortgage.
Higher Comfort. Good-quality construction of walls,
ceilings, windows, and doors, along with adequate levels of
insulation, means fewer drafts and temperature swings. This
cozy living environment is a priceless feature of an energy-efficient
home.
Good for the Environment. Most of our energy comes
from the burning of fossil fuels, which releases pollutants
– so energy efficiency lessens the negative influence
a homeowner has on the environment. Owning an energy-efficient
home is a way to help reduce smog, ozone levels, and the release
of carbon dioxide which is widely considered to be a leading
cause of global warming.
The High Performance
Home. While energy efficiency is an important goal,
it cannot be the only consideration with finding or developing
a home. Durability and health and safety factors should also
be implemented. When a home incorporates all three of these
factors, it is considered a High Performance Home.
E-Star Energy Ratings.
Through its energy ratings, E-Star provides an objective,
effective means to evaluate the energy efficiency of a home.
An E-Star Energy Rating gives each home a score expressed
on a scale from 0 to one 100, and from one to five stars.
As a uniform measure of residential energy performance, an
E-Star rating serves as a miles-per-gallon sticker for homes.
In addition to the energy efficiency score, E-Star ratings
include property-specific recommendations for cost-effective
energy improvements. These recommendations help customers
select and prioritize potential home improvement projects.
E-Star ratings can be performed on new and existing homes
of almost every construction type and style. |
