How to Promote ENERGY STAR Through Public and Indian Housing

Information by State  Print version   ENERGY STAR and HUD Programs   CDBG   HOME   HOPE VI For More Information For questions, comments or further information on HUD's Energy Action Plan or HUD's energy initiatives, please email EnergyAction@hud.gov. or call (202) 402-2978.

HUD encourages Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) and Indian Housing Authorities (IHAs) to incorporate ENERGY STAR qualified products and practices when conducting rehabilitation, repair and replacement. Why choose ENERGY STAR?

• Lower utility bills
• Improve comfort for residents
• Increase project value
• Reduce air pollution and improve the environment

HUD offers specific incentives for energy efficiency improvements so that federal capital funds can be applied to other needed repairs. Housing authorities should consider the Frozen Base Incentive and the Additional Subsidy Incentive for financing ENERGY STAR qualified products or practices. Upon HUD approval, the capital leveraged through these incentives can be used to implement any approved cost-effective energy or water saving measures. Energy auditing can also be funded with these incentives.

Learn how to incorporate ENERGY STAR in your HUD-funded rehab projects

Find Help

Use the Partner Locator to find home energy raters, home improvement contractors, and utilities that offer special incentives,.

Rehab, Repair and Replacement

There are three key ways to incorporate ENERGY STAR into your rehab, repair and replacement projects:

• Specify ENERGY STAR qualified products
• Conduct home sealing
• Follow recommendations for energy-efficient HVAC systems

Specify ENERGY STAR Qualified Products
Follow the links below for information on specific energy-saving products. Use the calculators to compare the annual savings of an ENERGY STAR qualified model with a non-qualifying model. Locate rebates in your area on certain ENERGY STAR qualified products.

	Appliances
	Heating and Cooling
	Insulation and Air Sealing
	Lighting
	Roof Products
	Windows and Doors

Make smart purchasing decisions using ENERGY STAR procurement resources. A clear procurement policy is a key element in the project's financial soundness.

Conduct Home Sealing
Sealing air leaks and adding insulation can save 20% or more on heating and cooling costs. These measures will also help to eliminate chilly drafts and improve comfort for housing residents.

Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems
In multifamily buildings, space heating accounts for one-third the total energy usage. Choosing ENERGY STAR qualified equipment is an important step to saving money. Correct sizing and installation is key to maximizing cost savings and equipment performance. Use the ENERGY STAR Guide to Energy-Efficient Cooling and Heating [pdf] to get the most out of your HVAC system.

Additional Resources for Housing Authorities

The Energy Efficient Rehab Advisor is an easy-to-use tool for estimating the costs and savings of incorporating cost-effective energy efficiency improvements into remodeling projects. The measures are based on ENERGY STAR specifications whenever applicable. Although the Advisor does not take the place of having an energy management professional involved with your project, it can and should be used as a guideline of the energy efficient measures to consider during your rehab.

Though developed for the commercial building sector, the following building performance tools can be useful to public housing maintenance and engineering staff.

An Energy Management Strategy provides tools and resources to help each step of the way.

The Building Upgrade Manual will help you plan and implement profitable energy-saving building upgrades. You can maximize energy savings by sequentially following building upgrade stages 1- 5: recommissioning, lighting, load reductions, fan systems, and heating and cooling systems.

Institutional Purchasing: Develop an institutional purchasing policy to purchase efficient products that reduce energy costs.

The Cash Flow Opportunity Calculator helps decision-makers answer three critical questions about energy efficiency investments:

• How much new energy-efficient equipment can be purchased from the anticipated savings?
  
  
• Should this equipment purchase be financed now, or is it better to wait and use cash from a future budget?
  
  
• Is money being lost by waiting for a lower interest rate?