Environmental Stewardship
Energy News
How to build a better house
Thinking about building a new home? How about one that provides greater comfort, considers the environment, and reduces your energy costs?
As you plan your new house, consider the many benefits of building a home to Energy Star standards.
Energy Star is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency. The mark identifies new homes, buildings, and more than 50 types of products that are energy efficient and offer the features, quality, and performance that today’s consumers expect.
A home that earns the Energy Star is significantly more efficient than a standard home. By building or purchasing an Energy Star qualified home, you can have all the features you desire in your new home, plus better performance and lower utility bills – all while helping prevent greenhouse gas emissions.
Energy Star Homes feature:
Tight construction and ducts. Advanced techniques for sealing holes and cracks in the home’s “envelope” and in heating and cooling ducts help reduce drafts, moisture, dust, pollen, pests, and noise.
Effective insulation. Properly installed and inspected insulation in floors, walls, and attics ensures even temperatures throughout the house, while using less energy.
Efficient heating and cooling equipment. An energy-efficient, properly installed heating and cooling system uses less energy to operate, which reduces your utility bills.
High performance windows. Energy-efficient windows use advanced technologies, such as protective coatings and improved frame assemblies, to help keep heat in during the winter and out during the summer. These windows also block damaging ultraviolet sunlight that can discolor carpets and furnishings.
Efficient products. Your home may also be equipped with Energy Star qualified products including lighting fixtures, compact fluorescent bulbs, ventilation fans, and appliances that offer additional energy savings.
Independent testing. While it's easy to claim that homes are energy efficient, Energy Star homes are backed up with verification by an independent Home Energy Rater. The rater conducts onsite inspections and testing to verify the performance of the energy efficiency features in your home.
Related links
Energy Star Homes - Northwest