Are you thinking about upgrading to a more energy-efficient home? Depending on what state you live in, finding one might be easier than ever before. In 2006, the percentage of newly constructed single family homes earning the government's ENERGY STAR for superior energy efficiency exceeded 12 percent in 15 states. The 15 leading states are: Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Utah and Vermont.
"Consumers don't have to limit their smart energy choices to energy-efficient cars and appliances," said Bob Meyers, EPA's principal deputy assistant administrator for Air & Radiation. "EPA is pleased to see builders in so many states leading the effort to offer their customers high-efficiency, low-emission choices in new homes."
The EPA says that nearly 200,000 new homes nationwide earned the ENERGY STAR in 2006, bringing the total number of ENERGY STAR qualified homes across the nation to almost 750,000. They also estimate that these homes have provided an annual savings of more than $180 million for homeowners by saving over 1 billion kWh of electricity and 100 million therms of natural gas.
To earn the ENERGY STAR, homes must be independently verified as meeting EPA's strict guidelines for energy efficiency. At least 15 percent more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code, ENERGY STAR homes include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20 to 30 percent more efficient than standard homes.
Home energy use accounts for nearly 17 percent of the total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and 21 percent of energy consumption nationwide. In 2006, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved $14 billion and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 25 million vehicles.
To see if there are ENERGY STAR homes available near you, check out the ENERGY STAR Qualified New Homes Market Indices for States.
