Homebuyers

Information by State  Print version   Why ENERGY STAR? Save money: Save $200-$400 per year on utility costs. Increase Comfort The energy-efficient features of ENERGY STAR qualified new homes keep out excessive heat, cold, and noise, and ensure consistent temperatures between and across rooms. Reduce maintenance: New HVAC systems, advanced controls and efficient lighting reduce maintenance demands. Increase resale value: Energy-efficient homes consistently earn higher resale prices than average homes. For More Information For questions, comments or further information on HUD's Energy Action Plan or HUD's energy initiatives, please email EnergyAction@hud.gov. or call (202) 402-2978.

ENERGY STAR qualified homes are built to strict energy-efficiency guidelines using tried-and-true technologies and construction practices. ENERGY STAR qualified new homes are high quality, comfortable homes that cost less, perform better and are good for the environment.

To earn the label, a home must be least 30% more energy-efficient in its heating, cooling and water heating than a comparable home built to the 1993 Model Energy Code (MEC), and 15% more efficient than the state energy code.

Any single-family or multi-family residential home that is three stories or less in height can qualify to receive the ENERGY STAR label. This includes traditional site-constructed homes as well as modular, systems-built, and HUD-code manufactured homes.

Finance an ENERGY STAR Qualified Home
ENERGY STAR mortgages can help a homebuyer qualify for larger loans at their current income level. ENERGY STAR mortgages allow lenders to increase their loan amount by factoring in the home's estimated monthly utility savings. This means the homebuyer can purchase a larger house or extra options.

PRODUCTS

Find information on ENERGY STAR qualified products in over 35 categories, including appliances, heating and cooling equipment, windows and lighting. Use the energy-savings calculators to compare the annual savings of an ENERGY STAR qualified model with a non-qualifying model.

Locate rebates in your area on certain ENERGY STAR qualified products.

PRACTICES

ENERGY STAR offers a wide range of home improvement tools to help you assess and improve the efficiency of your home.

	Home Energy Advisor - provides a list of recommended improvements and estimated savings
	Home Doctor - offers remedies for common house symptoms
	Home Remodeler - gives advice on home remodeling projects
	Home Sealing - a strategy for reducing energy losses and improving comfort

Find Help
Use the Partner Locator to find home builders that build ENERGY STAR qualified new homes, lenders that offer ENERGY STAR mortgages, utilities that offer special incentives to buyers and builders of ENERGY STAR qualified new homes, and home energy raters that can verify the energy efficiency of a home.

Resources for Homebuyers include a homebuyers checklist, answers to frequently asked questions, and more.