What Exactly is Energy Star?
Energy Star is a program started to help preserve the environment by using superior energy efficiency. This governmentally backed program uses the same criteria for both new and existing homes, and is judged on the HERS rating system. This rating is an objective, standardized evaluation of the energy efficiency of your home compared to a computer-simulated reference house. In order to be accepted by Energy Star, your house must be 30% more energy efficient than the simulation. Last year Americans saved enough energy to power ten million homes, offset greenhouse gas emissions from twelve-million cars, while saving six billion dollars at the same time.
Making your home Energy Star compatible has many advantages as a homeowner. First, it reduces the amount of energy needed to run your home. This reduction is often between 20-40%, and those numbers will also reflect in heating bills. This money saving technique has all positive results aside from the initial investment. A great thing about energy efficient systems is that they don’t sacrifice any comfort than less efficient ones. Along with these come a higher resale value on your home, a quieter and more comfortable environment at home, improved air quality, greater home durability, and less maintenance. Finally, Energy Star saves homeowners and businesses millions of dollars every year, helping the economy out as well.
Energy Efficiency can be defined as delivering a greater than or equal amount of services for less energy. To make your home Energy Star certified, you must ultimately make your home 30% more efficient than a home similar to yours (by square footage). The main sources of lost heat is through inadequate insulation levels, duct leakage, air leakage, and improperly vented appliances. Sealing your home reduces the amount of energy wasted. This can be done most easily by adding more insulation and sealing air leaks. Letting this go undone can cause drafts, overworking of heating and cooling equipment, moisture problems, and poor air quality. Insulation will keep warm and cool air where it belongs, and prevents ice damage and freezing pipes. Energy Star labels can be found on many home appliances now, and purchasing one with an Energy Star label can maximize your energy efficiency. If you are in the market for a new home, be sure to look for one with the Energy Star label, as that promises minimized energy costs.
Certified Home Performance Contractors can come to your home and check to see if you qualify for Energy Star. These contractors are certified by the Building Performance Institute (BPI), which sets standards for assessing and improving the energy performance of homes. After your inspection, if you choose to have work done to improve energy efficiency, the cost of the inspection is fully refundable. The certified contractors will come and do a Blower Door Test (testing leakiness of the house) and a Duct Test (testing leakiness of ducts). The scores are then entered into a computerized simulation program to determine the HERS score. After the results of been calculated, you will be provided with itemized cost estimates for suggested improvements. This list makes it easy for you to decide which improvements you would like to make. A computerized readout will state the approximate savings for each improvement so you may determine whether it will be worth the effort. If you own your own home, there are favorable financing options to go towards improvements. By simply making changes to your homes energy efficiency, you can do yourself and the environment a favor. The savings from owning an energy efficient home will prove to be a great investment as the total savings exceeds your initial improvement investment time and time again.
by Michael LaLonde
