Coming November 2023: ENERGY STAR NextGen™ Certified Homes and Apartments
EPA’s ENERGY STAR NextGen™ Certified Homes and Apartments program is designed to inspire both home builders and home buyers and demonstrate that it’s possible to build the homes that we need for tomorrow, today. The new certification builds on the 25-year foundation of the ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction program, through which more than 2.3 million energy-efficient new homes and apartments have been certified to date.
Meeting the challenge of climate change will require that the new homes and apartments that we build are both highly efficient and incorporate advanced efficient electric technologies and electric vehicle charging capabilities. ENERGY STAR NextGen certification is an additional, optional level of recognition for homes and apartments that go above and beyond the core ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction program requirements. The program’s requirements are designed to work together to deliver significant energy and emission savings that will help build a clean energy future, along with the comfort, quality, and durability that homeowners and residents have come to expect from their ENERGY STAR certified homes and apartments.
All homes and apartments that earn ENERGY STAR NextGen certification must be independently verified to include these key features:
1. Highly energy-efficient construction that meets ENERGY STAR’s most rigorous requirements
ENERGY STAR NextGen certified homes and apartments meet the most advanced versions of the core ENERGY STAR New Construction program requirements, which means they are at least 10% more energy-efficient than homes and apartments built in states that have adopted the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code and deliver a 20% improvement or more in states where older versions of the code are enforced.
2. A multi-speed ENERGY STAR certified connected heat pump
ENERGY STAR certified heat pumps are more efficient than furnaces or boilers and serve double duty by providing both heating and cooling, making this clean technology usable year-round. Multi-stage or variable speed technology delivers more even and consistent temperatures for greater comfort and performance.
3. An ENERGY STAR certified connected heat pump water heater
Water heaters typically account for about 20% of a home’s energy use. That’s why ENERGY STAR NextGen certified homes and apartments include an ENERGY STAR certified heat pump water heater, which is up to four times more efficient and uses 70% less energy than a standard model.
4. An electric cooktop and oven
Electric cooktops and ovens eliminate the emissions of indoor air pollutants associated with gas combustion, including carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, and contribute to a healthier indoor living environment. Optional induction cooktops have precise temperature control, boil water quickly, and have cooktop surfaces that remain cool to the touch, making them easier to clean.
5. Electric vehicle charging capability
With the steady increase of electric vehicles on the roads in the United States, preparing for an electric transportation future is just smart. Every ENERGY STAR NextGen certified home or building comes wired and ready for an ENERGY STAR certified EV charger.
A more detailed look at the ENERGY STAR NextGen technical specifications can be found in the ENERGY STAR NextGen National Rater Field Checklist (PDF, 352 KB).
EPA is making the ENERGY STAR NextGen technical specifications available now; however, homes and apartments may not be certified with this label until the program is officially launched in November, 2023.
For more information, please contact: energystarhomes@energystar.gov.
