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Comment Period Closed

EPA is reviewing submitted comments on the proposed ENERGY STAR 2011 guidelines. A summary of comments and EPA's responses will be posted shortly.

There are two paths to qualify a home to meet ENERGY STAR’s guidelines for energy efficiency. Both paths require independent verification by a qualified Home Energy Rater:

  • The National Performance Path PDF (99KB): A home energy rating (or HERS rating), where software is used to model the home’s energy use to verify that it meets a target score.
  • The National Prescriptive Path PDF (131KB): A Builder Option Package (BOP), where a builder constructs the home using a prescribed set of construction specifications that meet program requirements.

EPA has also developed county-level BOPs and regional specifications for California, Hawaii, Guam, and Florida (effective June 1, 2009). Read more about the interim Florida guidelines.

Read about how the new ENERGY STAR specification for central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps may affect builders using either the Prescriptive or Performance paths, including the National Attached Homes BOP, here PDF (57KB).

Insulation requirements, HVAC sizing best practices, and key ENERGY STAR qualified product criteria for both paths are explained further in the reference codes and standards PDF (80KB).

Both the performance and prescriptive paths require the completion of a Thermal Bypass Checklist by a Home Energy Rater. This is a comprehensive visual inspection of building details where thermal bypass, or the movement of heat around or through insulation, frequently occurs due to missing air barriers or gaps between the air barrier and insulation.

EPA has developed separate verification guidance for several kinds of housing:

A Sampling Protocol is also available for builders who have demonstrated their ability to consistently meet the ENERGY STAR performance guidelines. It is intended to minimize production interruptions and verification costs for builders while ensuring that homes meet or exceed ENERGY STAR guidelines. Home plans can also be qualified using the Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR label.

Policy Changes and Clarifications

  • Alternative ENERGY STAR Verification Oversight Organizations PDF (63KB) — EPA has formalized eligibility requirements, roles, and responsibilities for recognition of organizations that oversee ENERGY STAR verifiers.

    Applications for Verification Oversight Organizations Received:

    8/2009 – International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) – Status: Under Review

    9/2009 - International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) - Status: Retracted

  • Electronic Thermal Bypass Checklist — EPA has posted new versions of the Thermal Bypass Checklist in English and Spanish that can be completed electronically.
  • ENERGY STAR qualified water heaters — Beginning January 1, 2009, residential water heaters can now be qualified to earn the ENERGY STAR and these products can be used to fulfill the mandatory requirement for at least one ENERGY STAR qualified product category as specified in the Guidelines for ENERGY STAR for New Homes.
  • ENERGY STAR qualified windows — EPA has revised the ENERGY STAR for New Homes guidelines to clarify references to ENERGY STAR qualified windows.
  • Evaporative coolers PDF (83KB) — EPA provides guidance for modeling evaporative coolers in New Mexico.
  • Existing homes — EPA provides clarification on qualifying existing homes for the ENERGY STAR with consideration given to application of the Thermal Bypass Checklist.
  • Florida interim guidelines — EPA has developed interim guidelines for Florida in response to its recently adopted advanced energy code. The new Florida guidelines apply to all homes permitted on or after June 1, 2009.
  • Multifamily homes — EPA provides guidance for qualifying attached homes, including condominiums, apartments, townhomes, duplexes, and mixed-use structures.
  • South Texas BOP PDF (306KB) - EPA has updated the Builder Option Package for South Texas. In the referenced counties, the South Texas BOP, National BOP, or National Performance Path may be used to qualify a home.
  • New ENERGY STAR Specification for HVAC Equipment Will Affect Some Builders PDF (57KB) — EPA clarifies how the new ENERGY STAR requirements for central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps will affect builders who use the Builder Option Package, including the National Attached Homes BOP, or who use that equipment to meet the Performance Path requirement for ENERGY STAR qualified products.
  • Thermal Bypass Checklist update — EPA cancels the requirement that insulation in floors between conditioned and exterior spaces be aligned with both the top- and bottom-side air barriers. EPA also incorporates additional guidance in the TBC to ensure top-side alignment.
  • Volumetric hot water savings PDF (146KB) — EPA provides guidance for accounting for energy savings from low-flow showerheads, horizontal-axis washing machines, demand controlled pumping systems, and other water-saving technologies.
  • Waste water heat recovery PDF (125KB) — EPA provides guidance for accounting for energy savings from the installation of waste water heat recovery devices.

Regional Specification Changes