Energy Star

As a builder and/or developer, you can choose to improve the environment we all share.  How? It’s actually simple – by incorporating improved building practices to produce homes that are significantly more energy efficient than a standard home.   Did you know the typical home causes more greenhouse gas emissions than a typical car?  So, the energy-efficient homes that qualify for Duke Energy’s Energy Star Home Program are good for you, the homeowner who will purchase your home and the environment that impacts us all.

What is Energy Star®?

Energy Star is a voluntary government-backed program that promotes energy efficiency through reduced air pollution and greenhouse gases. By voluntarily partnering with Energy Star and choosing to build Energy Star homes, your company becomes part of a select group that has changed for the better and gives homebuyers an opportunity to do the same. Currently, more than 1,500 builders are partners and 100,000 homes have earned the certificate and label.

How Do Homes Qualify as Energy Star?

Strict standards set by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must be met to qualify for the Energy Star certificate and label. Homes must be at least 30 percent more efficient than the national Model Energy Code which is equivalent to a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Five-Star Home per the national HERS guidelines developed by the DOE and the HERS Council.

An independent third-party inspector tests the home to ensure it meets the DOE’s criteria and to receive the Energy Star label. Preferred mortgage financing is provided to distinguish the builder’s products in the market place. The home test is the responsibility of the customer and/or the builder, and costs can range from $300 - $500. The size of the home and the inspector’s travel time may affect the cost. 

To achieve the certification/label, builders must incorporate the following features when building their homes.  

  • Effective insulation to reduce energy use and noise.
  • High-performance windows to block damaging ultraviolet sunlight and keep the heat in during the winter and the heat out during the summer.
  • Tight construction and tight ducts to improve air quality and comfort.  
  • More efficient heating and cooling equipment to provide greater durability long-lasting systems with low maintenance.  

Sophisticated consumers will come to expect nothing less.

How Do I Become an Energy Star Partner?

You can become an Energy Star partner by

  • building homes that are significantly more energy-efficient than homes built to standard code.
  • completing a Partnership Agreement, a simple form explaining the proper use of the Energy Star name and logo.
  • working with local energy inspectors to ensure your homes are designed and built to meet the strict guidelines and standards.
  • proudly affixing the label on each qualifying home.
  • using promotional materials and techniques to gain market advantages for your energy-efficient homes.
  • incurring no costs to partner with or to use Energy Star materials.

Join the thousands of builders who have chosen to qualify their homes as Energy Star. Many have experienced drops in their quality-related callbacks.

What Are the Benefits for a Energy Star Home Program Builder or Developer?

  • Recognition – You have the distinction of being a leader of efficient construction and environmental stewardship. Homebuyers increasingly will recognize and choose builders with this distinction.
  • Customer Satisfaction – Homebuyers will experience increased resale values and high levels of comfort.
  • Increased Revenue – Built-in energy-saving features increase revenue for every Energy Star qualified home; buyers are able to afford upgrades that will further increase your income.
  • Program Flexibility – Builders can make choices from energy-efficiency features to meet the program’s guidelines and standards.
  • Access to Support
    • Labels and Logos
    • Point of Sale Tools
    • Consumer Brochures and Fact Sheets
    • Sample Advertisements
    • Listing on the Energy Star Web site
    • Achievement Awards
    • Verification Guidance
    • Publicity Kits

Where Do I Find Additional Information?

Additional information about the program is available at the EPA’s Energy Star Web site at www.energystar.gov/homes or call 1-888-782-7937. If you have questions about Duke Energy’s Energy Star Home Program, click ContactUs.