Better is Better infographic

ENERGY STAR® Certified New Homes

Better is Better

When rigorous ENERGY STAR requirements are applied to new home construction, the result is a home built better from the ground up, delivering better durability, better comfort, and reduced utility and maintenance costs. This makes an ENERGY STAR certified home the simple choice for energy efficiency.

THE BENEFITS: You will see, feel, and hear the difference of the fully integrated approach to design and construction combined with tried-and-true best building practices that are applied to every ENERGY STAR certified new home.

Reduced leaks and drafts: (Circle icon showing an illustration of window with cracks around the window.) Comprehensive air sealing, quality-installed insulation, and high performance windows and doors minimize warm and cold spots.

More consistent temperatures: (Circle icon showing an illustration of half of a snowflake and half of a sun.) A high efficiency heating and cooling system, designed and installed for optimal performance, ensures better comfort in every room, year-round.

Better durability: (Circle icon showing an illustration of an umbrella deflecting rain.) A comprehensive water management system, including flashing, moisture barriers, and heavy–duty membranes, protects roofs, walls, and foundations from moisture damage.

(Illustration of the inside a house separated by each room and showing a representation of the integrated systems of an ENERGY STAR certified new home.)

Improved indoor air: (Circle icon showing an illustration of a person breathing.) A fresh-air system provides a controlled amount of outdoor air. Combined with a high-performance filter, this improves indoor air quality and reduces dust, pollen, and other allergens.

Peace of mind: (Circle icon showing an illustration of someone sleeping on a bed.) Trained and certified professionals perform independent inspections and testing, so you can sleep well knowing things were done right.

The savings:

An ENERGY STAR certified new home delivers energy savings up to 30 percent compared to typical new homes. (An illustration showing an icon of an ENERGY STAR home and a typical new home. A lightning bolt representing electricity is emerging from each home, and the larger lightning bolt from the typical home demonstrates the typical home uses more electricity.)

$300 – the average annual savings from an ENERGY STAR certified new home. (An illustration of a hand dropping in a coin to a piggy bank.) (A illustration of a stack on money)

(An illustration representing greenhouse gases as bubbles.) Each ENERGY STAR certified home reduces greenhouse gases (GHG) by 3,700 lbs. per year compared to a typical home, which is equivalent to the GHG emissions absorbed by planting 43 trees. (An illustration of 43 trees.)

Learn more at energystar.gov/newhomes

(A circle icon of an illustration of a builder.) Join more than 1.5 million families across America that are already enjoying the quality, comfort, and value of their ENERGY STAR certified homes, while also saving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Find builders in your area that offer ENERGY STAR certified new homes at www.energystar.gov/partnerlocator.

EPA’s ENERGY STAR program sets strict energy efficiency specifications for more than 70 different kinds of products as well as new homes and commercial and industrial buildings to earn the label. (The ENERGY STAR logo.)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)