Skip to main content

Homepage Header Links

  • About ENERGY STAR
  • Partner Resources

Homepage Header Search box

 
ENERGY STAR
  • Energy Efficient Products

    energy efficient products

    ENERGY 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.

    • Find ENERGY STAR Products
    • Energy Savings at Home
    • Take the Pledge
    • Learn about Climate Change

    • Ways to Save

    • Tax Credits

    • Ask an Expert

    • Heat and Cool Efficiently

    How can we help you?

    • Where can I find the best prices on ENERGY STAR products?
    • What rebates are available on ENERGY STAR products?
    • How can I save energy with a smart thermostat?
    • What type of light bulb should I choose?

    Quick Links

    • Where does my money go?
    • Set and Save with ENERGY STAR
    • Product Finder
    • Rebate Finder
    • Best Value Finder
    • Find ENERGY STAR Products
    • Energy Savings at Home
    • Take the Pledge
    • Learn about Climate Change
  • Energy Savings At Home

    energy savings at home

    Improving your home's energy efficiency with ENERGY STAR can help to lower high energy bills, improve comfort and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Learn about the many ways to save in your home and track your progress with "My ENERGY STAR" - your new dashboard to savings.

    • Start Saving Now
    • Take the Pledge
    • Home Assessment Tools
    • Seal and Insulate Your Home
    • Learn about ENERGY STAR Products
    • Learn about Home Performance with ENERGY STAR

    • Ways to Save
    • Happy couple looking at ENERGY STAR Home Advisor on their laptop
      Home Assessment Tools

    • Heat and Cool Efficiently

    • Tax Credits

    How can we help you?

    • I want help with improving my home's comfort and efficiency
    • How can I heat and cool my home efficiently?
    • How can I stop drafts?
    • I'd like to know about power management for my computer.
    • How do I choose the right lighting for my home?
    • I'm upgrading my kitchen appliances. What should I know?

    Quick Links

    • Home Improvement FAQs
    • HVAC Maintenance Tips
    • For Home Improvement Contractors
    • ENERGY STAR Choose a Light Guide
    • My ENERGY STAR Dashboard
    ​
    • Start Saving Now
    • Take the Pledge
    • Home Assessment Tools
    • Seal and Insulate Your Home
    • Learn about ENERGY STAR Products
    • Learn about Home Performance with ENERGY STAR
  • Energy Efficient New Homes

    new homes & apartments

    A new home or apartment 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 and apartments use significantly less energy than typical new homes and apartments while delivering better comfort, quality, and durability.

    • Find Builders and Incentives
    • Home Features and Benefits
    • Homeowner Testimonials
    • Resources for Partners

    • Find ENERGY STAR Home Builders

    • ENERGY STAR
      Home Features
      and Benefits

    • Homeowner Testimonials

    • Find an Energy Efficient Apartment

    How can we help you?

    • Features of an energy efficient new home
    • Benefits of living in an ENERGY STAR certified home
    • I want to buy an ENERGY STAR certified home
    • I want to construct an ENERGY STAR certified home
    • I want to find an ENERGY STAR apartment

    Quick Links

    • Builder and Incentive Locator
    • In the News
    • Green Homes and ENERGY STAR
    • Energy Efficient Mortgage Programs
    • Find Energy Efficient Certified Apartments and Condos
    • Find Builders and Incentives
    • Home Features and Benefits
    • Homeowner Testimonials
    • Resources for Partners
  • Energy Strategies for Buildings & Plants

    buildings & plants

    Improve financial performance and reduce carbon emissions with EPA's strategic energy management approach.

    • Facility Owners & Managers
    • Service Providers
    • Energy Efficiency Program Administrators
    • Tenants
    • Tools & Resources

    • Portfolio Manager
    • Find Certified Buildings

    • National Building Competition

    • Find Expert Help

    How can we help you?

    • Build an energy program
    • Improve buildings & plant performance
    • Earn the ENERGY STAR & other recognition
    • Benchmark energy use
    • ENERGY STAR in action
    • Communicate & educate

    Quick Links

    • Portfolio Manager
    • Target Finder
    • Plant EPIs
    • Commercial Food Service
    • Tools & Resources
    • Facility Owners & Managers
    • Energy Efficiency Program Administrators
The simple choice for energy efficiency.

You are here

Home » Buildings & Plants » About us » ENERGY STAR certification

ENERGY STAR certification

ENERGY STAR certified buildings and plants cost less to operate and help protect the environment. On average, these buildings use 35 percent less energy and cause 35 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than comparable buildings across the country. Academic studies also show that ENERGY STAR certified buildings are more valuable — commanding higher rents and sale prices, among other benefits.

To earn ENERGY STAR certification, a facility must operate among the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide, with no sacrifices in comfort or quality. Starting with the first ENERGY STAR certified building in 1999, tens of thousands of buildings and plants across America have already earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR for superior energy performance.

How to earn the ENERGY STAR for your building or plant

Currently, more than 20 types of facilities can earn the ENERGY STAR. Commercial buildings start by entering their utility bill data and building information into Portfolio Manager, EPA's free online tool for measuring and tracking energy use, water use, and greenhouse gas emissions. Industrial plants start by entering key plant operating data into another set of free tools, called Energy Performance Indicators.

Both tools calculate a 1 – 100 ENERGY STAR score. Facilities that score a 75 or higher are eligible to apply for ENERGY STAR certification. Before facilities can earn the ENERGY STAR, a professional engineer or registered architect must verify that the information contained within the certification application is accurate.

Earn the ENERGY STAR for your facility!

  • Commercial buildings
  • Industrial plants

Coming soon to a location near you

ENERGY STAR certified buildings and plants are located in all 50 states and come in all shapes and sizes. Some are world-famous skyscrapers. Others are locally owned small businesses. Each is making an impact in the fight against climate change.

They're also growing in number. Since the first building earned the ENERGY STAR in 1999, tens of thousands of additional buildings have followed in its lower-carbon footprints. Will your building be next?

in this section

  • What do you want to do?
  • ENERGY STAR Partnership
  • ENERGY STAR certification
    • Registry of ENERGY STAR certified buildings and plants
  • Reference

Main menu

  • Energy Efficient Products
    • Find ENERGY STAR Products
    • Energy Savings at Home
    • Take the Pledge
    • Learn about Climate Change
  • Energy Savings At Home
    • Start Saving Now
    • Take the Pledge
    • Home Assessment Tools
    • Seal and Insulate Your Home
    • Learn about ENERGY STAR Products
    • Learn about Home Performance with ENERGY STAR
  • Energy Efficient New Homes
    • Find Builders and Incentives
    • Home Features and Benefits
    • Homeowner Testimonials
    • Resources for Partners
  • Energy Strategies for Buildings & Plants
    • Facility Owners & Managers
    • Service Providers
    • Energy Efficiency Program Administrators
    • Tenants
    • Tools & Resources

Homepage Footer last menu

  • ENERGY STAR Home
  • About ENERGY STAR
  • Recursos en Español
  • Publications
  • Partner Resources
  • Contact Us | FAQs
  • Newsroom
  • Kids
  • Privacy
  • US EPA logo
    EPA Home
  • US DOE logo
    DOE Home