What is an Energy Star Home All About?

When my husband and I built a cottage last year, we wanted to make the house as energy efficient as possible. We put in extra insulation, wrapped the ducts, sealed the drafts, and installed high quality windows which earned the house an Energy Star rating.

So what exactly is the Energy Star program?

At some point in the past 10 years, you may have purchased a home appliance or lighting fixture and noticed a blue Energy Star on selected merchandise. That blue star is a guide for consumers who are interested in purchasing energy efficient products instead of the usual run-of-the-mill.

The Energy Star program was started in 1992 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a way to identify energy efficient products. Computers and monitors were the first products that could earn the rating and in 1995, other categories of office equipment, and heating & air conditioning systems were added to the list.

In 1996, the EPA partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy to identify even more product categories. These days, the Energy Star can be found on nearly 50 product lines including home appliances, lighting fixtures, electronics, and more. The Energy Star label also has been extended to include homes and commercial buildings. An Energy Star home means the home was built to a level of energy efficiency that is up to 30% more efficient than more traditional construction.

How does a home qualify?

An Energy Star label doesn't come automatically. The building contractor must follow a prescribed standard of construction that include certain features that meet the EPA standards for energy efficiency.

If you have ever stepped inside a drafty house, you won't be surprised to learn that gaps in the construction and improperly installed insulation can increase a home's utility consumption by 20% or more. Most people only think of leaks happening around doors and windows, but leaks happen any place there are pipes, ductwork, and electrical wiring in a home.