Tribes

Information by State  Print version   Why ENERGY STAR? Lower utility bills: Reduce energy bills for homeowners by $200-$400 per year. Reduce maintenance: Spend less time maintaining equipment using better controls and longer-lasting products Improve indoor environment: Eliminate drafts and reduce health risks from mold, dust mites, radon and other pollutants by air sealing the home and ensuring adequate ventilation. An efficient HVAC system will stabilize the indoor temperature and humidity level. 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.

Find information on ENERGY STAR qualified products in over 35 categories, including appliances, heating and cooling equipment, windows, lighting, and exit signs. Use the energy-savings 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.

HOMES

ENERGY STAR qualified homes are built to strict energy-efficiency guidelines using tried-and-true technologies and construction practices. Because ENERGY STAR qualified new homes use substantially less energy through more efficient heating, cooling, and water heating equipment, occupants can expect to save about $200-$400 annually on their utility bills.

Any single-family or multifamily residential building that is three stories or less in height can qualify to receive the ENERGY STAR label. This includes traditional site-constructed homes as well as modular, systems-built (e.g., insulated concrete forms, structural insulated panels), and HUD-code manufactured homes. To earn the label, a home must be least 30% more energy-efficient in its heating, cooling and water heating than a comparable home built to the 1993 Model Energy Code (MEC), and 15% more efficient than the state energy code.

PRACTICES

Home Improvement Tools

The following home improvement tools will help you assess the opportunities for energy savings in single-family housing.

	Home Energy Advisor - provides a list of recommended improvements and estimated savings.
	Home Doctor - provides remedies for common house symptoms.
	Home Remodeler - provides advice on home remodeling projects.
	Home Sealing - helps you reduce energy losses by adding insulation and sealing air leaks and replacing windows.

Building Performance Tools

Although developed for the commercial building sector, the following building performance tools can be useful to maintenance and engineering staff in large multifamily properties.

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?
  
• Find Expert Help: ENERGY STAR service and product providers can help identify, prioritize, and implement quality projects that will improve your total energy management.

Become a Partner!
Organizations that partner with ENERGY STAR will see increased profits, satisfied customers, and environmental benefits. Learn more.