The Energy Star HomeThe Energy Star label is awarded to products that promote energy efficiency. New homes have been included in the Energy Star program. Energy Star products must be at least 30% more energy efficient than required by current regulations. The same energy requirements also apply to the Energy Star Home. Such areas of a home that are targeted for improvement include: framing, ductwork, windows, insulation and HVAC. While the Energy Star program includes appliances and electronics, only structural improvements are considered when applying the program to a home. It's possible for a home to receive an Energy Star label but at the same time be full of non-Energy Star appliances. Older homes can be retrofitted to meet Energy Star requirements, but such improvements may not necessarily be cost-effective. Making upgrades during construction is cheaper than going back and modifying existing structures. I will focus on new Energy Star homes and cost-effective upgrades to existing homes. These upgrades will not qualify the home as an Energy Star home but will increase its efficiency. Energy Star homes use reliable, proven construction technologies and practices to operate significantly more efficiently than homes built to the Model Energy Code. Every new home today is built to the Model Energy Code (MEC). This code varies in different parts of the country, but new homes built must meet the minimum requirements of the Model Energy Code. These technologies and practices save Energy Star homeowners money on utility bills. They also provide a home that is more comfortable, more durable, environmentally friendly and more economical to own. The initial cost of...... middle of paper......w building Energy Star homes makes sense because during construction, upgrade costs are nominal. Older homes can also be renovated, but they don't always need to receive an Energy Star label. Energy efficiency in homes can be increased even without meeting the requirements of an Energy Star home. The Energy Star label may be important to resale value, but the true test of a home's efficiency can be measured by utility bills. Bibliography http://yosemite.epa.gov/estar/homebuyers.nsf/HomePage?OpenFormMain Page for Energy Star for new homes http://www.eren.doe.gov DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy home page ( EERE) http://www.epa.gov/hhiptool Energy Star Home Improvement Toolbox http://www.nrel.gov National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Home Page http://www.andersonwindows.comAnderson Corporation