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ENERGY STAR for Homes Version 2 Guidelines

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 (79KB).

Policy Changes and Clarifications

Domestic Hot Water Savings

• Volumetric hot water savings (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 (125KB) – EPA provides guidance for accounting for energy savings from the installation of waste water heat.

ENERGY STAR Qualified Products

• ENERGY STAR qualified water heaters – Beginning January 1, 2009, residential water heaters can 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.
• New ENERGY STAR Specification for HVAC Equipment Will Affect Some Builders (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.

Regional Guidance

• Evaporative coolers (83KB) – EPA provides guidance for modeling evaporative coolers in New Mexico.
• 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.
• South Texas BOP (42KB) – 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.

Sector–Specific Guidance

• Existing homes – EPA provides clarification on qualifying existing homes for the ENERGY STAR with consideration given to application of the Thermal Bypass Checklist.
• Multifamily homes – EPA provides guidance for qualifying attached homes, including condominiums, apartments, townhomes, duplexes, and mixed–use structures.

Thermal Bypass Checklist

• Electronic Thermal Bypass Checklist – EPA has posted new versions of the Thermal Bypass Checklist in English and Spanish that can be completed electronically.
• 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.
• Use of Infrared Thermography – EPA provides guidance on using IR thermography to verify portions of the Thermal Bypass Inspection Checklist.