Supplemental Program Guidance

Builder & Developer Fact Sheets

• Introduction to the ENERGY STAR Single-Family New Homes (SFNH) program (PDF, 137 KB) — This provides an overview of the SFNH program, including eligibility, key features, its relationship to federal tax credits, and how to get started.
• Introduction to the ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction (MFNC) program (PDF, 173 KB) — This provides an overview of the MFNC program, including eligibility, key features, its relationship to federal tax credits, and how to get started.

Technical Guidance Documents

• Guidance for Homes and Buildings Undergoing Gut Rehabilitation (PDF, 182 KB) — This document provides guidance and alternative compliance options for existing homes and buildings (e.g., those undergoing a gut rehabilitation) that are pursuing certification.
• MFNC HVAC Functional Testing Checklist Sampling Protocols (PDF, 50 KB) — This document describes the protocols that must be followed when sampling is used to verify items contained within the ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction HVAC Functional Testing Checklist.
• Slab Edge Insulation Exemptions and Alternatives (PDF, 177 KB) — This document provides explanations and illustrations of slab edge insulation exemptions and alternatives.
• Kitchen Exhaust Guidance (PDF, 207 KB) — This document provides guidance on alternative compliance options for meeting the kitchen mechanical exhaust requirements.
• Attic Hatch Details (PDF, 80KB) — This document provides explanations and illustrations of insulation details for attic entrances.
• Duct Leakage Exemptions Guide (PDF, 160 KB) – This document provides guidance on exemptions to testing duct leakage to the outdoors.
• ERI Exceptions Guide (PDF, 120 KB) – This document provides explanations of EPA-Approved Exceptions to ANSI / RESNET / ICC Standard 301.
• Caribbean Aperture Guide (PDF, 378 KB) - This document provides guidance on operable aperture locations for the Caribbean Program Requirements.
• Design Temperature Limits for ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction - To meet the requirements of the program, the outdoor design temperatures used must not exceed a specified maximum cooling season temperature and minimum heating season temperature for the state and county, or territory, where the home will be certified. This page provides addition information and the specified limits.
• How Version 3 Certified Homes Help Meet the 2009 IECC (PDF, 421 KB) – This factsheet details how ENERGY STAR certification using Version 3 can help to demonstrate compliance with the 2009 IECC.
• How Version 3.1 Certified Homes Help Meet the 2012 IECC (PDF, 430 KB) – This factsheet details how ENERGY STAR certification using Version 3.1 can help to demonstrate compliance with the 2012 IECC.
• How Version 3.1 Certified Homes Help Meet the 2015 IECC (PDF, 456 KB) – This factsheet details how ENERGY STAR certification using Version 3.1 can help to demonstrate compliance with the 2015 IECC.
• HVAC Grading Fact Sheets – This suite of factsheets provides a brief overview of Track A - HVAC Grading and answers to frequently asked questions.
  • SFNH HVAC Grading for Builders (PDF, 273 KB)
  • SFNH HVAC Grading for Raters (PDF, 260 KB)
  • SFNH HVAC Grading for HVAC Contractors (PDF, 296 KB)
  • SFNH HVAC Grading for HVAC Designers (PDF, 282 KB)
  
  
  • MFNC HVAC Grading for Builders and Developers (PDF, 327 KB)
  • MFNC HVAC Grading for Raters (PDF, 301 KB)
  • MFNC HVAC Grading for HVAC Contractors (PDF, 302 KB)
  • MFNC HVAC Grading for HVAC Designers (PDF, 289 KB)
• Conditional Certification Letters – These letters must be used if ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction units are conditionally certified prior to the building’s completion, per the ENERGY STAR Certification Process.
  • Conditional ENERGY STAR Certification Disclosure Letter (PDF, 115 KB)
  • ENERGY STAR Certification Confirmation Letter (PDF, 111 KB)

Inspection Checklist Technical Guides

Technical guides for the ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction program are available at the Building America Solutions Center, created by the U.S. Department of Energy. These free guides provide a wealth of building science and energy-efficiency information. They are intended to be aligned with and used as a supplemental resource to the program requirements, but do not represent official ENERGY STAR policy.

Questions

Please contact us with any questions about the ENERGY STAR Version 3 guidelines.