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How do I know my home is an ENERGY STAR qualified home? After a home passes the performance tests and receives a HERS Index, an ENERGY STAR label and certificate for the home are printed and the home can be marketed as an ENERGY STAR qualified home. Look for the ENERGY STAR label, which should be prominently displayed on the home’s circuit breaker box. You can also ask your homebuilder for the home’s ENERGY STAR certificate. Can any home be built to ENERGY STAR specifications? Yes, any home, whether large or small, can be built to the ENERGY STAR specifications. Does an ENERGY STAR qualified home cost more? An ENERGY STAR qualified home does not have to cost more than a home built to code. The price is determined by the construction practices of your homebuilder. And, even if the price is higher the monthly utility savings is greater in most ENERGY STAR qualified homes than the increase in the monthly mortgage payment, making total costs lower every month. Is it really necessary to buy a home built to the ENERGY STAR specifications? Yes, your home is probably the biggest investment you’ll make, so it makes sense to purchase a home that meets high energy performance guidelines. You’ll save money every year on lower utility and maintenance costs. Additionally, studies suggest that energy-efficient homes have a higher resale value than other homes on the market. Are ENERGY STAR qualified homes built too tight? No, ENERGY STAR qualified homes may utilize mechanical ventilation to help ensure that the home has the appropriate circulation of fresh air to create a living environment that’s healthy and safe, while simultaneously helping to remove odors, moisture and other indoor air pollutants. Will I really notice a difference in comfort with an ENERGY STAR qualified home? Yes, homeowners have said that they enjoy greater comfort with fewer drafts and even improved temperature room-to-room. Some homeowners say they experience fewer colds and allergies because of the healthy indoor air quality. How can I find an ENERGY STAR builder? Visit www.texasenergystarhome.info/builders on the Internet to find a complete listing of the participating ENERGY STAR homebuilders.
For Real Estate Professionals & Mortgage Lenders
Yes, you can! Energy efficiency is a growing concern among homebuyers. By becoming an ENERGY STAR partner, you are committing to educating your customer about the benefits of owning an ENERGY STAR qualified home and providing them with the value of your knowledge by giving them the tools to make the best investment decision. You are also differentiating yourself in a saturated market. Become the preferred ENERGY STAR home professional by partnering with ENERGY STAR. Visit www.energystar.gov , read, complete, and fax an application back to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. By becoming a partner, you have access to marketing and sales materials to help you promote your ENERGY STAR partnership. How do I become more educated about ENERGY STAR qualified homes? The Oncor Electric Delivery ENERGY STAR Homes Program offers MCE courses for real estate professionals and training courses for mortgage lenders. After taking one of our courses, you have the opportunity to be promoted on this Web site. Click here to learn more about our real estate professional sales training courses and MCE course, and Mortgage Lender training courses. How do I assure my client that the home they are purchasing is an ENERGY STAR qualified home? Every home that achieves ENERGY STAR specifications receives an ENERGY STAR label and certificate. The homebuilder should provide each homeowner with those two items at closing. Sometimes, the HERS Rater will affix the label to the home’s breaker box. Make sure your clients receive their ENERGY STAR documentation, as it will help increase the re-sale value of their home.
ENERGY STAR Homes in Texas must be built 15 percent more energy efficient than state code (2006 IECC). Therefore, consumers can expect to save approximately 15 percent on their energy bills compared to an equivalent non-ENERGY STAR qualified home. We do not recommend quantifying the amount of money consumers may save because utility costs are dependent upon each family’s lifestyle. How do ENERGY STAR building requirements differ from code requirements? The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determines ENERGY STAR specifications. ENERGY STAR qualified homes must be at least 15 percent more efficient than the 2006 IECC. The level of energy performance is demonstrated by the home receiving an Index of 85 or less on the Home Energy Rating System Index (HERS Index). This Index is based on heating, cooling, water heating usage and the home’s airflow data. How does a HERS Rater determine if a home qualifies for the ENERGY STAR?
What measures are taken if a home does not pass the tests to receive the ENERGY STAR? Your HERS Rater will work with you to identify problems that are keeping the home from meeting ENERGY STAR specifications. After the problems are addressed and corrected, the home may be retested. Once a home is certified as ENERGY STAR, it is always an ENERGY STAR qualified home. How can a home qualify for the ENERGY STAR and similar sized homes with different energy efficiency features also qualify? The ENERGY STAR Homes Program allows builders to construct their ENERGY STAR qualified home by adjusting the existing design features making the home more energy efficient. This customizable process allows builders to determine the most cost-effective way earn the ENERGY STAR. How will we benefit from marketing that we build ENERGY STAR qualified homes? Energy efficiency is an increasingly important hot button for consumers. While many builders do construct ENERGY STAR qualified homes, there is a great opportunity to promote and sell your ENERGY STAR affiliation. Consumers are becoming savvier and may expect that their builder is an ENERGY STAR homebuilder. Promoting your affiliation with the government-backed brand will re-assure consumers about your commitment to building a high-quality product. What steps should I take to become an ENERGY STAR homebuilder? Any homebuilder can become an ENERGY STAR homebuilder by following these steps:
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Can real estate professionals or mortgage lenders become ENERGY STAR Partners?
How much money will consumers save on utility bills in an ENERGY STAR qualified home? 
