Energy Star Fades as Efficiency Rating – WSJ.com

The Wall Street Journal reports that the EPA is upgrading the residential Energy Star ratings, which currently require a home to achieve 15% greater efficiencies than model building-efficiency guidelines.

Perhaps embarrassed by the thought that homes 57% larger than the national average still receive Energy Star designations, the EPA’s actual motivation seems to be driven in part by technology and in part by a desire to reduce the number of Energy Star rated homes built.

Residential energy efficiency is rapidly evolving in the U.S. 10-20% of states have adopted or are studying the adoption of energy codes more stringent than the 2006 IECC, and many significant new requirements were adopted in the 2009 IECC. Furthermore, the current over-supply of housing stock in the marketplace reinforces the need for ENERGY STAR qualified homes to stand out from the competition. EPA is developing new guidelines to help ensure that ENERGY STAR continues to deliver homes that are high-quality and meaningfully more efficient than standard new construction. More rigorous guidelines will strengthen the integrity and value of the ENERGY STAR label, thereby increasing the success of raters’ and builders’ partnerships with ENERGY STAR.
(Source: Energy Star 2011 FAQ)

In the Fact Sheet, issued May 4, 2009, EPA went with the simpler to explain bullet points:

EPA believes that the next generation is an opportunity to:
• Add requirements that ensure a comprehensive approach to building science
• Ensure high‐efficiency equipment and products in qualified homes
• Add new, high‐value on‐site inspections to ensure that ENERGY STAR qualified homes perform to expected
levels
• Limit the carbon footprint of large homes earning the ENERGY STAR

(Source: Energy Star Qualified Homes 2011 Fact Sheet)

The short version of the upgrades are that new requirements focused on both whole building design and minimally intrusive efficiency selections will be incorporated into the guidelines. These include guidance on thermal, air, and moisture flow; an integrated HVAC system; efficient appliances; more efficient water distribution (low flow aerators); and higher efficiency hurdles for larger homes.

EPA estimates that the proposed changes will add about $4300 to the cost of a home, or $23/month in additional mortgage burdens. It estimates monthly energy savings of approximately $37/month. The financial estimates are well summarized in this 20-page PDF.

You can view all of the changes at the EPA’s Energy Star Qualified Homes website. The public comment period ends July 10, 2009.