Becoming an ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction Sponsor Partner

Sponsor partners use the ENERGY STAR platform in designing and implementing energy efficiency programs for their markets. Utilities, national, regional, state, or local government entities, or other organizations that promote or intend to promote ENERGY STAR certified homes and apartments can sponsor the ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction program.

Becoming an ENERGY STAR partner is easy. Simply fill out an ENERGY STAR Partnership Agreement. There is no cost to partner with ENERGY STAR or use ENERGY STAR promotional materials.

ENERGY STAR Partnership Requirements for Sponsors

The following are the requirements of the ENERGY STAR Partnership Agreement that apply to ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction program sponsors.

For sponsors offering financial incentives:

  • Sponsor partners must maintain an active status with the ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction program by directly incentivizing ENERGY STAR certification in a manner appropriate for the market and/or providing ENERGY STAR-related trainings for local stakeholders (i.e., builders, developers, raters, modelers, HVAC contractors, Functional Testing Agents, real estate professionals) and raising consumer awareness through marketing and education.
  • Sponsor partners that seek to use “ENERGY STAR” in their program name must obtain approval from EPA by contacting energystarhomes@energystar.gov. EPA will grant access once the program offers at least one incentive offering that requires ENERGY STAR certification. ENERGY STAR does not need to be mandatory for ALL incentive eligibility.

For sponsors not offering financial incentives:

  • Sponsor partners must maintain an active status with the ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction program by providing ENERGY STAR-related trainings for local stakeholders (i.e., builders, developers, raters, modelers, HVAC contractors, Functional Testing Agents, real estate professionals) and/or raising consumer awareness through marketing and education.
  • Sponsor partners that seek to use the “ENERGY STAR” in their program name must obtain approval from EPA by contacting energystarhomes@energystar.gov. EPA will grant access if the program administrators demonstrate that they conduct marketing, education, and outreach tied to ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction.

Additional requirements for sponsor partners include but are not limited to:

  • Recognition of ENERGY STAR in a manner consistent with the national platform to promote highly efficient new homes that meet or exceed program requirements.
  • Adherence to the ENERGY STAR Logo Use Guidelines.
  • Responsiveness to annual inquiries from EPA regarding the partner’s program.
  • Keeping the My ENERGY STAR Account (MESA) account information, including contact information, current.

Learn more about sponsoring ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction programs.