Blake Howell with the Rocky Mountain Power ENERGY STAR New Homes Program tells us how.
____________________________________________________________________
Rocky Mountain Power ENERGY STAR® New Homes Program
About Rocky Mountain Power ENERGY STAR New Homes:
What is ENERGY STAR®?
ENERGY STAR is the Environmental Protection Agency’s national qualification for energy efficiency. ENERGY STAR qualified homes are independently verified to be up to 30% more efficient than state energy code. These savings are based on heating, cooling, and hot water energy use and are typically achieved through a combination of measures like building envelope upgrades, high-efficiency windows, upgraded HVAC and weatherization. Building with ENERGY STAR in mind not only gives the homebuyer a more comfortable home, it improves the quality of construction while using traditional building materials.
¨ Homes have been verified by an independent third party to be at least 15 percent more energy efficient than homes built to the 2003 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC):
o improved insulation
– contribute to homes’ comfort and quietness
o high-performance (ENERGY STAR) windows
– reduce heat gain in summer, heat loss in winter
– reduction in UV rays
o energy-efficient heating and cooling equipment
– reduce energy used to heat and cool home
o tight duct systems
– reduces energy costs
– improves comfort
– delivers optimal amount of heated and cooled air throughout home
o controlled air infiltration
– reduces drafts, dust, pollen and other undesirable elements
¨ reliable technologies and building practices are beneficial to owners:
o energy savings
– Heating or cooling a standard home can account for as much as 50 percent of the home’s total energy use.
o financial savings
– lower monthly energy bills
– higher resale value
– EEM’s (Energy Efficient Mortgages) can help qualify you for a home you may not have been able to afford before
o increased comfort
– reduced outside noise
– maintain desired temperature throughout house
o improved indoor air quality
– reduced exposure to potential sources of pollutants
o environmental consideration
– Home energy use accounts for nearly 17 percent of the total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, but by purchasing an ENERGY STAR qualified new home, homeowners can have a positive effect on the environment by reducing their energy consumption and more efficiently using the energy resources used to provide for their energy needs at home.
¨ technical differentiations
o insulation
– touches all 6 sides of a cavity
– no crushing or gaps
– proper thickness and depth
– use of proper type of insulation
· contribute to homes’ comfort
· decreased noise
· increased savings
o HVAC
– duct sealing
– proper air flow
– right sizing
– duct placement
· decreased dust
· increased comfort
· increased energy savings
· equipment longevity
o envelope
– air changes per hour
– heat follows air/leaks (Chimney effect)
– proper caulking and sealing
– culprits (can lights, fireplaces, switches and outlets, etc.)
· decreased dust
· increased savings
· increased comfort
o windows
– U-Value
– caulking/sealing
– Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
· increased temperature control
· less fading
· down-sizing HVAC
There are now over 60 builders within the greater Salt Lake area that are building new homes to Rocky Mountain Power ENERGY STAR specifications.
To learn more about Rocky Mountain Power’s ENERGY STAR New Homes program, visit www.rockymountainpower.net/energystar or call toll free 1-866-344-9802.
Add comment