Energy starsEnergy stars► 1. Effective Insulation1. Effective Insulation► Properly installed and inspected insulation in floors, walls, and attics Properly installed and inspected insulation in floors, walls, and attics

ensures even temperatures throughout the house, reduced energy ensures even temperatures throughout the house, reduced energy use, and increased comfort. Learn more about use, and increased comfort. Learn more about Properly Installed InsulationProperly Installed Insulation (149KB). (149KB).

► 2. High-Performance Windows2. High-Performance Windows► Energy-efficient windows employ advanced technologies, such as Energy-efficient windows employ advanced technologies, such as

protective coatings and improved frames, to help keep heat in during protective coatings and improved frames, to help keep heat in during winter and out during summer. These windows also block damaging winter and out during summer. These windows also block damaging ultraviolet sunlight that can discolor carpets and furnishings. Learn ultraviolet sunlight that can discolor carpets and furnishings. Learn more about more about Qualified WindowsQualified Windows (212KB). (212KB).

► 3. Tight Construction and Ducts Tight Construction and Ducts3. Tight Construction and Ducts Tight Construction and Ducts► Sealing holes and cracks in the home's "envelope" and in heating Sealing holes and cracks in the home's "envelope" and in heating

and cooling duct systems helps reduce drafts, moisture, dust, pollen, and cooling duct systems helps reduce drafts, moisture, dust, pollen, and noise. A tightly sealed home improves comfort and indoor air and noise. A tightly sealed home improves comfort and indoor air quality while reducing utility and maintenance. Learn more about quality while reducing utility and maintenance. Learn more about Efficient Duct SystemsEfficient Duct Systems (163KB). (163KB).

Energy Star Insulation

Energy Star

Window!

energy star Efficient Duct Systems

Appliances Appliances

► 4. Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment4. Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment► In addition to using less energy to operate, energy-efficient heating and In addition to using less energy to operate, energy-efficient heating and

cooling systems can be quieter, reduce indoor humidity, and improve the cooling systems can be quieter, reduce indoor humidity, and improve the overall comfort of the home. When properly installed into a tightly sealed overall comfort of the home. When properly installed into a tightly sealed home, this equipment won't have to work so hard to heat and cool the home. home, this equipment won't have to work so hard to heat and cool the home. Learn more about:Learn more about:

► Qualified Heating EquipmentQualified Heating Equipment (142KB) (142KB) ► Qualified Cooling EquipmentQualified Cooling Equipment (178KB) (178KB) ► Mechanical VentilationMechanical Ventilation (140KB) (140KB)

► 5. Efficient Products5. Efficient Products► ENERGY STAR qualified homes may also be equipped with ENERGY STAR ENERGY STAR qualified homes may also be equipped with ENERGY STAR

qualified products — lighting fixtures, compact fluorescent bulbs, ventilation qualified products — lighting fixtures, compact fluorescent bulbs, ventilation fans, and appliances, such as refrigerators, dishwashers, and washing fans, and appliances, such as refrigerators, dishwashers, and washing machines. Learn more about machines. Learn more about ENERGY STAR qualified productsENERGY STAR qualified products::

► Qualified AppliancesQualified Appliances (153KB) (153KB) ► Qualified LightingQualified Lighting (170KB) (170KB) ► Advanced Lighting PackageAdvanced Lighting Package (91KB) (91KB) ► High Efficiency Water HeatersHigh Efficiency Water Heaters (177KB) (177KB)

Efficient Heating and Cooling Efficient Heating and Cooling EquipmentEquipment

► 6. Third-Party Verification6. Third-Party Verification► With the help of independent Home Energy Raters, ENERGY STAR builder partners With the help of independent Home Energy Raters, ENERGY STAR builder partners

choose the most appropriate energy-saving features for their homes. Additionally, raters choose the most appropriate energy-saving features for their homes. Additionally, raters conduct onsite testing and inspections to verify the energy efficiency measures, as well conduct onsite testing and inspections to verify the energy efficiency measures, as well as insulation, air tightness, and duct sealing details. Learn more about as insulation, air tightness, and duct sealing details. Learn more about Independent Inspection and TestingIndependent Inspection and Testing (182KB). (182KB).

► BenefitsBenefits

► ADDED CONFIDENCEADDED CONFIDENCE► ► Read ourConsumer BrochureRead ourConsumer Brochure ► Home buying is complex enough without having to know all the details of energy-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 to efficient construction. Instead, look for the government-backed ENERGY STAR label to easily identify homes that are truly energy efficient. Find the house of your dreams and easily identify homes that are truly energy efficient. Find the house of your dreams and enjoy peace of mind knowing that it also meets strict energy efficiency guidelines.enjoy peace of mind knowing that it also meets strict energy efficiency guidelines.

► LOWER OWNERSHIP COSTLOWER OWNERSHIP COST► Compared with standard homes, ENERGY STAR qualified homes use substantially less Compared with standard homes, ENERGY STAR qualified homes use substantially less

energy for heating, cooling, and water heating-delivering $200 to $400 in annual energy for heating, cooling, and water heating-delivering $200 to $400 in annual savings. Over the average 7 to 8 years you may live in your home, this adds up to savings. Over the average 7 to 8 years you may live in your home, this adds up to thousands of dollars saved on utility bills. Additional savings on maintenance can also be thousands of dollars saved on utility bills. Additional savings on maintenance can also be substantial. Financing your home purchase using an ENERGY STAR Mortgage or an substantial. Financing your home purchase using an ENERGY STAR Mortgage or an energy efficient mortgage can also lead to savings. Learn more about Mortgage Lending energy efficient mortgage can also lead to savings. Learn more about Mortgage Lending Programs.Programs.

► BETTER PERFORMANCEBETTER PERFORMANCE► Properly installed energy-efficient improvements deliver better Properly installed energy-efficient improvements deliver better

protection against cold, heat, drafts, moisture, pollution, and noise. An protection against cold, heat, drafts, moisture, pollution, and noise. An energy-efficient home helps ensure consistent temperatures between energy-efficient home helps ensure consistent temperatures between and across rooms, improved indoor air quality, and greater durability.and across rooms, improved indoor air quality, and greater durability.

► SMART INVESTMENTSMART INVESTMENT► To date, more than 8,500 home builders have partnered with EPA to To date, more than 8,500 home builders have partnered with EPA to

construct more than 1 million ENERGY STAR qualified homes. The trend construct more than 1 million ENERGY STAR qualified homes. The trend is clear. By choosing a home with the ENERGY STAR label, you can be is clear. By choosing a home with the ENERGY STAR label, you can be confident that it will have an increasingly valued feature when the time confident that it will have an increasingly valued feature when the time comes to sell.comes to sell.

► ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION► Did you know that your home can be a greater source of pollution than Did you know that your home can be a greater source of pollution than

your car? In fact, 16 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions are your car? In fact, 16 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions are generated from the energy used in houses nationwide.generated from the energy used in houses nationwide.

► Energy used in our homes often comes from the burning of fossil fuels Energy used in our homes often comes from the burning of fossil fuels at power plants, which contributes to smog, acid rain, and global at power plants, which contributes to smog, acid rain, and global warming. Simply put, the less energy we use in our homes, the less air warming. Simply put, the less energy we use in our homes, the less air pollution we generate.pollution we generate.