Qualifying Modular Homes for the ENERGY STAR Label: What's New, What's Changing and When

The technical requirements and procedures for qualifying new homes for the ENERGY STAR label are changing. Currently, site built and modular homes are required to meet ENERGY STAR guidelines Version 2.5 (v2.5), with the Version 3 (v3) guidelines going into effect July 1, 2012.

While modular and site built homes must meet the same technical requirements, the process for qualifying homes for the label is different. Here's what you need to know to build ENERGY STAR modular homes:

1. ENERGY STAR Guidelines Version 2.5 (see details below). Modular homes ordered between October 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012 must comply with the v2.5 guidelines provided below.
2. ENERGY STAR Guidelines Version 3. Building on the success of the program to date, EPA and SBRA are working on the ENERGY STAR v3 procedures for modular homes. The v3 procedures will be available in early 2012 and made available through this page and other sources. Check this web page for updates.

Procedures for Qualifying Modular Homes for the ENERGY STAR^® Label (under Version 2.5)

ENERGY STAR is a nationally recognized brand, backed and promoted by the federal government and under the aegis of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Modular companies interested in building ENERGY STAR homes should review the SBRA Modular Program Guide and use the links below to download important documents and forms.

The procedures offer the following advantages in qualifying modular homes for the ENERGY STAR label:

• The compliance verification protocols, established by SBRA and approved by EPA, are designed specifically to address the way modular homes are built, recognizing the inherent energy advantages of factory construction.
• The procedures provide for plant certification, a special designation indicating that the plant possesses the skills to build ENERGY STAR homes. Once certified, plants can produce homes that can earn the ENERGY STAR label and monitor quality and conformance using in-house quality control staff, eliminating the need for third-party inspection of every home in the plant.
• The plant applies an SBRA quality assurance (QA) label to homes, indicating to builders that the homes have been constructed by a certified plant in compliance with ENERGY STAR guidelines and can earn the ENERGY STAR label once verified on site by a Rater.
• Completion of the ENERGY STAR home is the builder's responsibility. In the field, conformance with ENERGY STAR is verified by a third-party Rater hired by the builder.
• The two labels—the SBRA plant QA label and the EPA ENERGY STAR home label—together signify that the home qualifies for ENERGY STAR under the national EPA ENERGY STAR New Homes program.

Additional Information

• Back to the ENERGY STAR Homes main page

• ENERGY STAR for HUD-code Home Manufacturers

• ENERGY STAR for Retailers and Installers

• ENERGY STAR for HUD-code Plant Certifiers

• ENERGY STAR for Lenders