purchasing a new home

When buying a home, demand energy-efficiency. And do not forget: the easiest way to get it is to require an official-backed rating.

Energy qualified homes

To identify homes with high energy efficiency standards and to avoid having to deal with complex construction details, in USA, you may look for...

- the government-backed Energy Star rating;
- the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) rating;
- the LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. or...
- the Green Globes from the Green Building Initiative...

In many European countries, Australia and New Zealand or Canada you may also look for home energy rating standards...

Energy Star qualified new homes

Energy Star qualified new homes meet the energy efficiency standards set by EPA, and are submitted to an independent auditing.

Energy Star qualified homes include effective insulation (the most important feature in most climates), high-performance windows, tight wall-ceiling-and-roof construction (essential to fight drafts, moisture, noise and also pollen or dust), efficient duct systems, efficient heating and cooling systems and also qualified mechanical ventilation and appliances and devices like lighting fixtures, bulbs, ventilation fans, refrigerators, water heaters, washing machines and dishwashers.

National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) rating

The NAHB (associated with the International Code Council) has also implemented a "Green Building" standard. The NAHB certification incorporates a minimum number of energy-efficient features (including lot and site development, indoor environmental quality, water, and resource efficiency). Insulation, appliances, efficient air distribution, efficient home equipment or renewable energy sources are considered in the NAHB standard.

The NAHB Standard involves several categories (“thresholds”). The higher one, the "Emerald", denotes the highest achievement in residential green construction.

Green Building Initiative

In USA, the Green Globes initiative (from Green Building Initiative) is also a guarantee of an environmentally-friendly designed home. It’s rating system ensures that goal to new (and existing) homes, and other buildings.

US Green Building Council

The U.S. Green Building Council is another major institution committed with green building. This organization launched the LEED certification program, involving the well known LEED rating. Buildings with that certification are high energy-qualified…

Other USA green building initiatives

Some states have also enacted green building programs, involving LEED certifications. That's the case of California (San Francisco), Virginia (Charlottesville, Virginia) and the Washington State.

Canada

The Energy Star program for new homes is currently available in some Canadian states like Ontario and Saskatchewan (managed by regional service organizations, for Natural Resources Canada).

UK and other European countries

As a result of the European Union Directive 2002/91/EC and the Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), the UK and other European countries have set an energy efficiency rating system for new homes. Take them into account: demand high ratings for your new home. Do not buy homes with a poor energy rating.

Australia

Australia and New Zealand have a House Energy Rating, involving insulation, air sealing, and heating and cooling requirements for new homes.

All Australian states have adopted the Building Code of Australia (BCA) standards. Some States and regions (Victoria, South Australia) have gone beyond the minimum standard. There are now compulsory 5-star ratings (and not only 4-stars…).