How New Homes Earn the ENERGY STAR®
To ensure that a home meets ENERGY STAR guidelines in Vermont, Efficiency Vermont provides the required third–party verification by Technical Advisors who are certified Home Energy Rater. Efficiency Vermont works closely with the builder throughout the construction process to help determine the energy–efficient equipment and construction techniques needed to achieve ENERGY STAR certification. Efficiency Vermont conducts required on–site diagnostic testing and inspections to document that the home is eligible to earn the ENERGY STAR label. Additional verifications are conducted by the Builder and HVAC Contractor, who must go through required ENERGY STAR training to complete and ENERGY STAR home.
To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, making them at least 15% more efficient (often more) than homes built to Vermont’s Energy Code. Homes can achieve this level of performance through a combination of energy–efficient improvements, including, effective insulation systems, high–performance windows, tight construction and ducts, efficient heating and cooling equipment and ENERGY STAR qualified lighting and appliances.