The EPA’s ENERGY STAR label not only encompasses over 50 different types of energy-consuming products such as computers and appliances, but also has created a green building protocol for homes. ENERGY STAR Homes is a nationwide voluntary program, implemented at the regional level throughout the United States. The certification targets new homes and requires third-party certification.
ENERGY STAR Homes focuses on the inter-related systems that impact energy use in your home. Some are obvious: the ways you heat and cool your home, the types of lamp fixtures and appliances you choose, and the number of televisions, computers, and other electronic equipment you operate. Others are less obvious: the way you water your yard, the insulation installed in your walls, and the types of windows and doors in your home. The products you (or your builder) choose and the way the systems are installed affect the dwelling’s overall energy performance.
According to the EPA its standards often lead to homes that are 20-30 percent more energy efficient than their conventionally built counterparts. You can find the names of participating ENERGY STAR builders by visiting http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=new_homes_partners.showHomesSearch.