Builders who choose to build ENERGY STAR homes use the “house as a system” approach. The interaction of all systems in the home is considered during planning and construction, including heating and cooling, windows, doors, insulation, appliances and lighting, resulting in a high quality home that will save energy and money.

The following technical information explains the key components that make a home an ENERGY STAR Home.

• Sealed Duct System
• High Performance Heating & Cooling Systems
• Efficient Appliances & Lighting
• Appliances
• Lighting
• Better Insulation, Windows & Doors
• Insulation
• Windows & Doors
• Performance Testing & Quality Assurance

Sealed Duct System

Did you know up to 30 percent of energy loss in the average code-built new home is attributed to leaky duct systems? Poorly installed ductwork increases a home's energy use, causes discomfort and may compromise indoor air quality. ENERGY STAR qualified homes are planned and built using sealed duct systems, and then tested to assure optimal performance.

With Northwest ENERGY STAR Homes, duct sealing during the construction process will ensure that the air you pay to be heated or cooled is delivered to the living areas of your home. Performance testing of the duct system provides proof that the system works as designed.

Duct sealing and performance testing are required in every home to meet the Northwest ENERGY STAR Home certification requirements to receive the ENERGY STAR label.

High Performance Heating & Cooling Systems

High performance heating and cooling systems can reduce your heating and cooling energy costs by up to 30 percent. Choosing ENERGY STAR qualified equipment is just the first step. To achieve the full value and efficiency of the heating and cooling system, all components must be properly installed and tested. The distribution of heated and cooled air through the duct system must be addressed, as well as the equipment.

Correct design and sizing of heating and cooling systems is important for achieving maximum comfort and energy savings. An oversized system results in poor equipment performance with frequent stops and starts.

In every ENERGY STAR qualified home, the components of the heating and cooling system are tested by certified technicians for assured performance. This includes performance testing of duct systems and heat pumps.

Efficient Appliances & Lighting

ENERGY STAR qualified products deliver performance and the newest technology, resulting in significant energy savings. Qualified appliances and lighting reduce energy bills without sacrificing features, style or comfort. New homes that have earned the ENERGY STAR label feature qualified dishwashers, clothes washers, and ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL) and fixtures in at least 80 percent of the sockets.

Appliances

Every ENERGY STAR home will include an ENERGY STAR qualified dishwasher, reducing your water heating costs by up to 20 percent. For even more savings, upgrade to other ENERGY STAR qualified appliances.

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Lighting

More than 20 percent of the electricity generated in the U.S. is used for lighting. Approximately half of this energy is wasted by lighting empty rooms or as heat produced by inefficient lamps. But it's easy to save money and energy with ENERGY STAR qualified light bulbs and fixtures. They meet strict energy efficiency and quality specifications, using up to 75 percent less energy and lasting up to 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs.

Make your home even more energy efficient by looking for the ENERGY STAR label when shopping for home electronics, office equipment, and heating and cooling products such as programmable thermostats.

Better Insulation, Windows & Doors

The thermal shell of a house, also referred to as the building envelope, is the barrier created with windows, doors, insulated walls, ceilings, and floors. The thermal shell separates our living spaces from the cold of winter and the heat of summer, enclosing the "conditioned space" where we spend our time.

Insulation

Northwest ENERGY STAR Homes use high efficiency insulation to maximize your comfort and save on energy costs.

A variety of insulation products are available, including fiberglass batts, blown or damp-spray cellulose, and insulation that is integrated with the wall structure such as Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) and Structural Insulated Panels (SIP). Regardless of insulation type, increased efficiency levels of insulation, when properly installed, will save money and provide a more comfortable living space. Along with more comfortable temperatures, insulation provides a quieter space for improved quality of life.

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Windows & Doors

ENERGY STAR qualified windows and high-performance doors meet the standard that discriminating home buyers expect. Some of the benefits of high-performance windows and doors include:

• Increased comfort
• Reduced condensation
• Lower utility costs

Look for the ENERGY STAR label to identify the most efficient windows, skylights and doors. Also, try to buy products with the lowest "Res" U-factor.

Performance Testing & Quality Assurance

ENERGY STAR Homes are performance tested to ensure that your home will operate at optimal levels for greater durability and lower maintenance. Each home must pass a stringent evaluation by a certified technician. In addition, an independent third-party will verify that the required equipment and building specifications for the Northwest ENERGY STAR Homes certification requirements are met. Only then does it receive the ENERGY STAR label – your assurance of energy efficiency.