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Getting Started with ENERGY STAR Qualified Manufactured Homes

ENERGY STAR’s guidelines for manufactured homes affords the manufactured housing industry a unique opportunity to extend the advantages of controlled-environment factory production to include exemplary energy performance. Our guidelines provide information on designing, producing, selling, and installing energy-efficient manufactured homes under the ENERGY STAR program.

Guidelines for Plants

A manufactured home is a home built in a factory meeting the federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards, commonly referred to as the HUD Code. An ENERGY STAR qualified manufactured home is a home that has been designed, produced, and installed in accordance with ENERGY STAR's guidelines by an ENERGY STAR certified plant.

Learn more about ENERGY STAR’s guidelines for plants.

Plants are encouraged to take advantage of co-marketing opportunities available with ENERGY STAR, as well as become an ENERGY STAR partner.

Guidelines for Retailers, Installers, HVAC Contractors

Retailers and installers (including HVAC contractors) of manufactured homes play a critical role in educating homebuyers about the benefits of ENERGY STAR qualified homes and assuring that these homes are properly installed. The Manufactured Housing Research Alliance (MHRA) has developed a booklet titled ENERGY STAR Qualified Manufactured Homes: Guide for Retailers Exit ENERGY STAR (with instructions for installers and HVAC contractors) that explains how retailers can partner with ENERGY STAR and benefit from marketing these homes to homebuyers. It describes the roles and responsibilities of retailers, installers, and HVAC contractors and lists marketing and sales tools available to retailers.

Cooling Equipment Sizing Charts

Updated guidelines PDF (3.83MB) for right-sizing cooling equipment for manufactured homes is now available. These guidelines were developed to eliminate the problem of choosing equipment that is oversized and that contributes to higher than necessary energy consumption. The guidelines consist of nine maps covering the continental U.S. plus a Sizing Table containing recommended cooling equipment sizes (in tons). The maps are divided into counties. Contiguous counties with the same sizing recommendations are combined into Sizing Groups.

Qualifications and Capabilities for Providing Quality Assurance Oversight of the Verification of Energy Efficient Manufactured Homes*

To be successful transforming the housing market to increased energy efficiency, ENERGY STAR depends on a self-sustaining, independent, industry-based process for assuring the quality and integrity of the verification process. For site-built housing, this role is served effectively by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) which oversees the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) industry. The HUD code industry needs similar quality assurance oversight for the verification process of energy efficient manufactured homes since they are not verified by HERS raters. To that end, EPA is making it a matter of policy to designate one or more organizations to serve in that capacity, where the organization demonstrates having the qualifications and capabilities listed below to EPA's satisfaction. Learn More about Qualifications and Capabilities.

Tax Credits for ENERGY STAR Qualified Manufactured Homes

Beginning in 2006, producers of manufactured homes will be eligible for federal tax credits for homes that are energy efficient. This includes manufactured homes that qualify for the ENERGY STAR label. These tax credits are part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Qualifying rules have been released by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). For information on the qualifying rules visit The Tax Incentives Assistance Project (TIAP) Web site Exit ENERGY STAR.

ENERGY STAR Leadership in Housing Awards

Manufacturing plants that produce and label ENERGY STAR qualified manufactured homes are encouraged to apply for an ENERGY STAR Leadership in Housing Award, which recognizes organizations that have made outstanding contributions to protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency and will be selected based on the number of ENERGY STAR qualified manufactured homes they have produced. Winners will be recognized at the National Congress & Expo for Manufactured and Modular Housing. For more information including specific eligibility criteria and application instructions please download and review the award application Word document.

* EPA reserves the right to modify these qualifications and capabilities at any time without prior notice.