Frequently Asked Questions by Homebuilders
What is an "energy efficient" new home?
What will an ENERGY STAR Home provide?
What does the ENERGY STAR Home certification mean?
Isn't it better to let your house "breathe" than to build it "too tight"?
Will I have to sacrifice any aesthetic or design considerations to make my home meet ENERGY STAR Homes standards?
Why is energy so important when building a new home?
How much does it cost to build to ENERGY STAR Homes standards?
It all seems a bit complicated. What help can I expect throughout this process?
OK, what’s my first step and where do we go from there?
What is an "energy efficient" new home?
The key to designing and building an energy efficient home is to look at your house "as a system." Merely having reasonable insulation levels or good windows is not a guarantee of high performance. Compromising on commonly overlooked energy details could seriously undermine the benefits of the other components. For instance, you could buy very good windows, but if the area around the frame is not well sealed and insulated, they may still be drafty and uncomfortable. Similarly, you might have very high levels of insulation, but if it is not properly installed it may perform to only half of its rated insulating value. By looking at how all of the components interact - from insulation, to air leakage, to how the sun affects the house thermally - you can cost-effectively achieve a home that is not only energy efficient, but also more comfortable and healthy to live in.
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What will an ENERGY STAR Home provide?
The short answer is it will provide the homeowner with a lifetime of energy savings (which translates into additional money to spend on more important things), consistent comfort in each room of your home, and a healthier living environment. A home certified to meet the standards of the ENERGY STAR Homes program is a great value for both the owners and the environment. The benefits are tremendous.
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What does the ENERGY STAR Home certification mean?
It means that your home meets the rigorous performance standards established by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ENERGY STAR homes consume significantly less energy than a similar house built to current energy codes, about 30% less—sometimes the energy savings are even bigger. That means more money in your pocket from lower heating and cooling bills. The certification process starts with a professional energy consultant who conducts computer modeling of your house plans to determine the estimated energy use. If necessary, recommendations are made to help your home meet program standards. Two or more site visits during construction will be made to verify that your home is being built to maximize your energy savings and comfort. Upon completion of these steps, the house is certified as an ENERGY STAR home, and any rebates available from your participating utility companies and energy efficiency service providers are paid. In addition to saving you energy while you live in it, a third-party certified ENERGY STAR home should have a higher resale value when you choose to move.
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Isn't it better to let your house "breathe" than to build it "too tight"?
ENERGY STAR homes receive fresh air through the installation of mechanical ventilation system. Concerns about houses being built "too tight" have stemmed from many homes that are built tightly "by accident" without any thought towards mechanical ventilation. Leaky houses do not provide the proper level of ventilation in the right places at the right time. Through extensive research and testing, building scientists have found that the best strategy for maximizing occupant health and comfort in homes is to "build tight and ventilate right." With a simple, inexpensive ventilation system, a home can have a continuous, controlled supply of fresh air.
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Will I have to sacrifice any aesthetic or design considerations to make my home meet ENERGY STAR Homes standards?
From both the interior and exterior, an energy efficient home looks no different than a code-built home. Any style home can be an ENERGY STAR home–it’s all about "building in" the energy details!
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Why is energy so important when building a new home?
Because in simple economic terms, you get more for less—it’s a win-win situation for everybody. Any accountant will tell you that it doesn't make sense to compromise on the energy details that will ensure you maximum comfort and excellent indoor air quality, while producing less pollution at less cost to you. The societal benefits of using less energy are also enormous: reduced air pollution, more investment in the local economy, and reduced dependence on energy supplies.
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How much does it cost to build to ENERGY STAR Homes standards?
Typically, the upgrades needed to meet ENERGY STAR Homes standards are in the range of 1% to 3% more than code levels. Of course, if your builder is already building at a level higher than code, the cost is even less. Unlike a hot tub, marble countertops or hardwood floors, the ENERGY STAR Homes energy upgrades begin paying for themselves from the moment you move in. How? Let’s say all of the upgrades total $1,500. This amount added to your mortgage, assuming a 30-year fixed rate of 7 1/4%, will cost $10 more per month in your mortgage payment. These upgrades, in turn, could easily result in a reduction of $360 or more in your annual heating/cooling costs. At a savings of over $30 per month, this gives you a positive cash flow for the life of your home. An ENERGY STAR home is a home that pays you back, while helping to protect the environment.
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It all seems a bit complicated. What help can I expect throughout this process?
When building an ENERGY STAR home in Massachusetts, a consultant from ICF International will be your resource to help make the right energy decisions and to guide you and your builder through the process of building a high performance home. For all of your energy related questions, ICF will work hard to find the right, cost-effective answers.
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OK, what’s my first step and where do we go from there?
Follow the application instructions to get started today, or contact the program with any questions you may have at 800-628-8413
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