Energy Star shines in hot, cold weather

With summer quickly approaching, many consumers are looking for ways to reduce energy costs, according to Sam Rashkin, national director of the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star for Homes program.

Local builders have joined the effort by building homes that have earned the Energy Star designation. Such homes incorporate energy savings into the design and construction and use at least 30 percent less energy for cooling, heating and water heating than a standard home.

Energy Star is a voluntary program, managed by the EPA with assistance from the Department of Energy. Common features of Energy Star-labeled homes include tight ducts, which lower energy consumption and improve air quality and comfort; properly installed insulation, which also improves comfort and reduces utility bills; windows that keep heat inside during the winter and outside during the summer; tight construction, which helps eliminate drafts, moisture, dust, pests and pollen; and efficient heating and cooling equipment that reduces energy usage and noise.

Locally, more than a dozen home builders participate in the program and more than 4,000 Energy Star homes have been built. Nationwide, more than 33 percent of the Top 100 home builders have joined the program.

Rashkin said purchasing an Energy Star home is a good investment, particularly in light of rising energy costs nationwide.

"Lower energy costs are built into every Energy Star-labeled home," Rashkin said. "Compared with the national model energy code, today's Energy Star homes are at least 30 percent more energy efficient. So you can expect to save hundreds of dollars on utility bills annually."

May is Energy Star Month in Nevada, sponsored by Energy Star Partners, a coalition of local developers, energy inspection/certification companies, mortgage lenders and other nonbuilder partners.

"Owners of Energy Star homes enjoy quieter and healthier living environments with fewer drafts and more consistent temperature levels," Rashkin said.

Almost 30 Energy Star product categories are available to consumers, including heating and cooling equipment, appliances, consumer electronics, computers, office equipment, and lamps and lighting fixtures.

A new Web site, www.NevadaEnergyStarHomes.com, lists all partners and includes a map showing participating neighborhood locations.

The participating builders are: American Premiere Homes, Astoria Homes, Beazer Homes, Carina Homes, Concordia Homes, Del Webb Communities, Desert Wind Homes, Distinctive Homes, Greystone Homes/Lennar, Hearthstone Homebuilders, Pardee Homes, Perma-Bilt Homes, Pulte Homes, R/S Development, Royal Construction/Spinnaker Homes and Signature Homes.

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