Thinking of purchasing or building a new home?

ENERGY STAR® homes are designed, built and performance tested to offer enhanced comfort, healthier indoor air, energy savings and peace of mind. These homes are at least 20% more efficient than homes built to standard codes, making them some of the most energy efficient homes on the market today.

Idaho Power teams with the Idaho Office of Energy Resources and certified Energy Star builders, encouraging buyers to gain the following advantages of owning an Energy Star home:

• Enhanced Comfort
  Enjoy a home with more even temperature throughout - warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. High performance windows and properly installed insulation contribute to making your home more quiet and comfortable.
  
  
• Healthier Indoor Air
  The air inside your home is cleaner because there is less possibility of drawing unwanted air from your home's attic, basement, crawl spaces and garage into your living space.
  
  
• Savings
  Energy Star homes can cost less to own and live in than code-built homes. Monthly energy bill savings typically outweigh any incremental mortgage costs for the Energy Star package.
  
  
• Peace of Mind
  Relax knowing that your Energy Star qualified home was tested and certified by an independent third party to meet the Energy Star standards. The Energy Star label is your assurance that you've purchased an energy efficient home.
  
  
• Better Future
  By choosing a home that uses less energy, you'll help contribute to a healthier environment and a better future for everyone.

Discover The Features

• Well-Constructed, Efficient Windows
  Windows with a U-Factor of .35 or less are "low-e" for low-emissivity. They are manufactured with thin metal coatings that keep thermal energy inside while blocking heat. Certain brands offer protection from harmful rays that can fade carpets and furniture.
  
  
• Improved Wall and Floor Insulation
  Walls are insulated at R-21 or better, while standards code is R-19. The under floor insulation is R-30. The "R-Value" of insulation is a measure of its resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-Value, the greater the insulating effectiveness.
  
  
• Better Attic Insulation
  Attic insulation is R-38 or better. The higher the r-Value, the greater the insulating effectiveness, and increasing the R-Value in the roof is one of the most cost-effective ways to make a home more energy efficient.
  
  
• High Efficiency Furnace and Water Heater
  The furnace is at least 90% AFUE and the water heater is 61% AFUE , while code requires just 805 and 58% AFUE, respectively. AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. The higher the AFUE, the more efficient the furnace.
  
  
• Sealed Ductwork
  Ducts are sealed properly, and tested and certified, to reduce air leaks. When ducts are under pressure during heating and cooling, a one-inch duct hole is equivalent to a hole in the wall that is 10 times as large, leading to significant energy losses.
  
  
• ENERGY STAR Certified Appliances
  Built-in appliances are certified Energy Star appliances. An Energy Star dishwasher uses less energy and can save hundreds of gallons of water a year.
  
  
• High Efficiency Air Conditioner
  The AC unit is a minimum SEER 13. Seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) is the amount of cooling your equipment delivers per every dollar spent on electricity. The higher the SEER value, the more efficient the equipment.
  
  
• Energy Efficient Lighting
  Compact fluorescent lighting (CFL) is in at least 50 percent of the fixtures. Compared to a 60-watt, standard, incandescent bulb, a 15-watt CFL puts out the same amount of light but uses 75 percent less energy and lasts up to 10 times longer.