Is Your Home Energy Star Certified for Energy-Efficiency?
by JustRentToOwn on Apr 8, 2015
As the demand for good housing rises in the United States, more home builders are seeing the value of building new homes with energy-efficient standards in mind to achieve the Energy Star rating. Most buyers are listing energy-efficiency as one of their top determining factors when choosing a home to buy, and many construction companies are picking up on that. According to the Energy Star site, homes that receive the label above generally save at least 30 percent in energy costs over a standard home. So what exactly is required for a home to get this special label?
When a new home is constructed, it undergoes a rigorous intensive evaluation involving close inspections, intensive tests, verifying that all statutes have been met. Listed below are some of the things professional inspectors evaluate:
Insulation: Properly installed non-asbestos insulating material has been packed into the walls, ceiling, and attic space of your home. Non-aluminum windows such as vinyl or wood with low-e window paneling also acts as a good insulator, and is particularly effective if the glass is double or triple paned with argon gas. Additionally, all windows and doors should be sealed with caulking around the edges to ensure that there are no air leaks to keep the temperature you want in and the one you don’t out. See the common places for air leaks below:
From CETOnline.org
Heating/Cooling Systems: Besides being Energy Star certified units themselves, furnaces and air conditioning units should have an even air distribution system via a functional HVAC network. Now that the air is sealed in, you want to be sure it is able to get to every room for an even temperature throughout the house.
Weather Durability: Proper water-sealing with heavy-duty installed membranes is important to protecting your walls, roofs, ceilings, and foundation from suffering long-term water and moisture damage. Moisture that seeps in can lead to weakened structure, wood rot, and mold/mildew build-up.
Fresh-Air Delivery System: The indoor air filtration system swaps out some of the indoor air with fresh outdoor air to cut down on allergens and indoor air pollutants. The system should also have a high-quality filter to keep outdoor allergens from coming in through the air swapping process.
All appliances and lighting fixtures are Energy Star certified: This one is a given, but having the home structure certified and not the included appliances wouldn’t fly for the inspectors. Each device should have the Energy Star label on it to signify that it too has been previously certified.
To see what goes into inspecting a home for Energy Star approval, check out the video below:
If you have an older home that was not pre-approved when it was first built, there are other improvements you can make besides those listed above to make it comparable to an Energy Star certified home:
-
Buy electronics (TV, DVD player, a stereo system, etc.) with an Energy Star label
-
Evaluate your own home using the Energy Star Home Energy Yardstick and the Home Advisor to measure your energy use and where you can make improvements; alternatively, you can have a professional energy auditor evaluate your home for improvement advice
-
Use power strips for devices
-
Seal up any leaks in your HVAC system
-
Install a door sweep in your garage to add more insulation
-
Wrap your electric water heater and hot water piping in an insulating jacket to curb heat loss
-
Switch your computer and other electronics into Sleep mode when not in use to save power
-
Let your roof shingles breathe and stay drier by allowing proper ventilation of your attic space
-
Install professional grade solar paneling to reduce your energy draw from the grid
-
Plant a tree on the sunniest side of your home (typically the western or southern side depending on your location) to shade the home during the hot months and allow sunlight in during the winter when the branches are bare
Having an Energy Star certified home not only saves you money in the long run, but also helps the environment by reducing energy consumption and slows down normal wear and tear. While many of these improvements will cost quite a bit initially, they will pay for themselves in less than ten years of savings and also subsequently raise your property’s value. If you are looking to buy a new home, remember to inquire about whether or not the home is Energy Star certified as you will not be disappointed with your choice.
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
73991 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
67739 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
63646 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
43679 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
27123 Views
Latest Articles
Navigating Singapore's Property Regulations: A Guide for Foreign Investors
Singapores property market has been attracting foreign investors for many years, thanks to its stable economy, strong legal system, and transparent...
on Mar 22, 2023
What Truck Size Do I Need to Move a 3-Bedroom House
Moving to a new home can be a complex and stressful process, but with the help of the right truck size, you can make it a smooth and seamless...
on Feb 13, 2023
Five Tips to Take Better Care of Your Basement Insulation
Basement waterproofing is an essential part of home maintenance, as it helps to protect the basement from moisture, flooding, and other...
on Feb 12, 2023
Homeowner In The UK? Here's Why You Need to Know about Rainwater Drainage Systems
In the United Kingdom, there is an average of around 1,200 millimeters of rainfall annually. Keeping rainwater out of your home and away from your...
on Feb 2, 2023
What are the Advantages of a Metal Roof
Metal roofing is durable and beautiful, allowing a home to stand out from others with conventional tiled roofs. A metal coating can last a...
on Feb 1, 2023
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates

Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Sponsored Articles
Real Estate Investment for the Next Generation
on Oct 18, 2022
Real Estate / Finance

Investing in real estate is something that people have been doing for a long time. Most people invest in a home, so they can stay at the home. This...
Real Estate Investment for Future Generations
on Mar 14, 2022
Real Estate / Finance

Purchasing a home is not simply a financial commitment. It is also an excellent way to start accumulating your wealth. Your home is also a...
Can I Sell My House with a Leaky Roof?
on Oct 28, 2021
Real Estate / Finance

The answer to this query is YES. It is possible to sell a house with a leaking roof, but it's always essential to evaluate some factors before...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 260
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 239
- Real Estate / Finance — 195
- Appliance / Repair — 185
- Interior Design / Decor — 183
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 147
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 143
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 118
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 115
- Doors / Garages — 113
- Safety / Security — 112
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
How to Choose the Right Air Conditioning Contractor
One of the things to look at when hiring AC technicians is the number of years they have been in the business. We all know that when you have been...
Tips on How to Restore Your Art Deco Furniture
Having art deco furniture in your home is a great thing but most of us tend to forget that they also wear out and therefore need restoration. In...
What You Need for a Bathroom Renovation
Bathroom renovations are a common home improvement project. Not only do they make your bathroom more enjoyable, and improve the look of your home,...
What Should You Know About Moving A Piano? Can You Do It Alone?
It is quite difficult to move. A lot of stress adds up and moving furniture is definitely something that not everyone can do. When referring to...
How to Fix a Broken Air Conditioning Unit
It is not that hard to find an emergency furnace repair contractor in your area. All you need to do is to Google the right keywords and you will...