Builders taking advantage of the Energy Star label have had this week circled on their calendars for a long time. The program is going through a series of changes designed to make Energy Star labeled homes more efficient. April 1st is one of the most significant dates, signaling the start of “Energy Star 2.5” for all new homes permitted through the end of the year. This is essentially an 8-month long transition period designed to ease builders into “Energy Star 3.0;” all of the new rules take full effect on January 1, 2012.

We’ve held several workshops for builders over the last few months, and in November we put together a video blog about the process for verifying a house with the new Energy Star 2.5 standards. Now we’re ready to (more…)

By far, the most common energy efficiency program for new home builders in the U.S. is Energy Star.  In the next year and a half, that program is undergoing some changes that will make Energy Star certified homes even more efficient, comfortable and less costly to own and operate for the eventual homeowners. These improvements are going into effect in the next few months, and we thought it would be helpful to show builders a first-hand look at some of the key differences between the old and new Energy Star for new homes requirements.