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One Millionth Energy Star Home Certified in America
A home in the Del Webb community of Celebrate in Fredericksburg, Va., was certified last week as the the one millionth Energy Star home in the nation. The home is also being certified in the NAHB National Green Building Program.
The home was feted on Nov. 11 as representatives of PEG Environmental Solutions inspected the home, approving it for the Energy Star label.
Celebrate is one of a number of communities that offers National Green Building Certification as an option for home buyers. PEG employs NAHB Research Center-approved verifiers who can also certify homes to the Energy Star program.
Del Webb won an NAHB National Green Building Award in May when judges named a Celebrate model the green production home of the year.
Since Energy Star new-home certification became available in 1995, program administrators estimate that home buyers who purchased qualifying homes have saved $1.2 billion on their energy bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 22 billion pounds.
“This year alone, families living in Energy Star qualified homes will save more than $270 million on their utility bills, while avoiding greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from about 370,000 vehicles,” the program indicated in a press release about the Del Webb home.
“This is an amazing achievement for the Energy Star program — but the real winners are the one million American families who have the chance to save money and keep harmful pollution out of the air. That’s great news for anyone who wants to cut costs and protect our planet,” said U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson in the release.
To earn the Energy Star label, a home must meet energy-efficiency guidelines set by the EPA, which administers the program with the federal Department of Energy.
The guidelines include the use of effective insulation systems, high-performance windows, tight construction and ducts, efficient heating and cooling equipment and high-efficiency lighting and appliances.
In addition, an independent home energy rater such as PEG conducts onsite testing and inspections to verify that the home’s performance meets Energy Star requirements.
To meet NAHBGreen certification requirements, homes must achieve additional benchmarks in water and resource efficiency, indoor environmental quality, lot and site development and home owner education on the operation and maintenance of the home.
 ‘National Green Building Standard’ Available at BuilderBooks.com
“The National Green Building Standard,” available through BuilderBooks.com, provides “green” practices that can be incorporated into multifamily and single-family new home construction, home remodeling and additions and site development.
The standard covers lot design, resource, energy and water efficiency; indoor environment quality; and owner education.
Currently the first and only ANSI-approved green building rating system, the National Green Building Standard is the benchmark for green homes.
To view or purchase this publication online, click here.
 The Future of Residential Construction Is Green
The Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation teaches builders, remodelers and other industry professionals techniques for incorporating green building principles into homes using cost-effective and affordable options.
Earning the CGP demonstrates to clients and peers your commitment to the best and latest in green building practices and techniques. More than 4,500 people have earned the CGP designation to date.
For more information, visit www.nahb.org/CGPinfo.
 ‘Build Green and Save’ Available at BuilderBooks.com
“Build Green and Save: Protecting the Earth and Your Bottom Line,” available through BuilderBooks.com, is a comprehensive, easy-to-read reference that shows builders how to identify and select green building materials; implement green construction techniques; explain the benefits of green housing and offer affordable green building solutions to consumers; and use resources wisely and reduce water and energy consumption.
To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.
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