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Energy Efficient
Products
Energy Efficient
ProductsENERGY STAR products are independently certified to save energy without sacrificing features or functionality. Saving energy helps prevent climate change. Look for the ENERGY STAR label to save money on your energy bills and help protect our environment.
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Energy Savings
At Home
Energy Savings
At HomeImproving your home's energy efficiency with ENERGY STAR can help to reduce high energy bills, improve comfort and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Let us help you — whether you do-it-yourself or hire a qualified professional.
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Energy Efficient
New Homes
Energy Efficient
New HomesA new home that has earned the ENERGY STAR label has undergone a process of inspections, testing, and verification to meet strict requirements set by the US EPA. ENERGY STAR certified homes use 15-30% less energy than typical new homes while delivering better comfort, quality, and durability.
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Energy Strategies for
Buildings & Plants
Buildings
& PlantsImprove financial performance and reduce carbon emissions with EPA's strategic energy management approach.
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Buildings & Plants
Home > Buildings & Plants > Tools & Resources Library > Commercial Building Design > Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR > Use Energy Design Guidance
Use Energy Design Guidance
- 1. The Energy Design Process
- 2. Pre-Design
- 3. Schematic Design
- 4. Design Development
- 5. Construction & Bid Documents
- 6. Achieve Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR
- 7. Commission the Building
- 8. Building Operation
- 9. Earn the ENERGY STAR Building Label
CONSTRUCTION & BID DOCUMENTS
Specify and document energy and CO2 reduction goals for the project. The project documents should include a detailed account of energy-efficient strategies, technologies, and construction methods. The construction team should have a track record for implementing energy-efficient features and the ability to install specified technologies and execute design strategies.
Action Items
- Include energy use goals in specification documents. See Energy Performance Specification for Designing and Operating Buildings to Achieve ENERGY STAR
(29KB). - Include Statement of Energy Design Intent (SEDI) from Target Finder to document the intended energy and CO2 reduction goals in final construction documents and bid package. The SEDI displays the EPA energy performance rating and percent energy reduction compared to an average building; these indicators convey whether the project achieves 2030 goals and ENERGY STAR certification, respectfully.
- Document construction methods associated with specific energy-efficient products and materials by including manufacturers' literature and contact information for local technical representatives. Include the design team's summaries of energy-efficient features in specifications and drawings. Explain anticipated functions of features to assist the construction team in understanding the desired outcome.
- Select a qualified construction team to install energy-efficient features.
- Specify detailed commissioning activities in project contracts.
- Continue focusing on energy during construction to ensure that energy-efficient features are not value engineered and changes are incorporated in documents and drawings.
- Establish accountability measures for all parties to ensure that the energy goal is achieved.
- Select qualified manufacturers and do not accept unapproved alternatives for installing/constructing key energy-efficient features/systems. Be specific with explanations to all manufacturers so that bid documents are compatible with one another.
- Seek incentives for meeting the energy performance goal. Local utility companies may offer incentives to offset costs for the design team and owner to explore options that reduce energy consumption and meet the desired efficiency goal.
