ENERGY STAR is a
nationally recognized, voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote
energy-efficient products, new homes and buildings to consumers and business owners
across the United States. Initiated by the US Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) in 1992, ENERGY STAR is
now a joint effort of EPA and the US Department of Energy. EPA is responsible
for administering the ENERGY STAR label for homes.
An ENERGY STAR Labeled
Home is at least 30% more energy efficient in its heating, cooling and water heating
than a comparable home built to the 1993 Model Energy Code (MEC). This increased
level of energy efficiency can be met using standard technologies and manufacturing
practices by successfully integrating three key home components:
An energy
efficient building envelope (effective insulation, tight construction, advanced
windows).
Energy efficient air distribution (air-tight, well-insulated
ducts).
Energy efficient equipment (space heating, space cooling
and hot water heating).
There are at least four basic reasons why a plant
should consider making the commitment to produce ENERGY STAR Labeled Homes.
The
ENERGY STAR label can be a powerful sales tool.
ENERGY STAR Labeled
Homes have lower monthly operating costs and potentially increase the resale value
of a home.
The efficiency measures built into an ENERGY STAR Labeled
Home have residual benefits that increase customer satisfaction.
ENERGY
STAR offers another opportunity for a manufactured housing producer to demonstrate
parity with or superiority to site-built competitors.
These four considerations
make a strong argument for the value of joining the program and becoming an ENERGYSTAR
Partner.
Becoming an ENERGY STAR Partner is a three-part process that occurs
in the following sequence:
Qualify the Plant
Produce ENERGY
STAR Labeled Homes
Maintain ENERGY STAR Labeled Home Manufacturer
Status
All three parts are straightforward but require a commitment of
time and resources, backed by a commitment to marketing and selling the ENERGY
STAR brand.
Visit the EPA Energy Star website
to learn more about how the program increases profits, improves customer satisfaction
and protects the environment.
Energy
Star Tools You will need Adobe
Acrobat Reader to view and print pdf files.
