Efficiency rater touts Energy Star

Cody McGhie knows firsthand the benefits of Energy Star homes. McGhie is a field manager for a company that inspects such homes to ensure they comply with the Environmental Protection Agency's guidelines.

McGhie and his wife, Jasmine, are owners of an Energy Star-certified home, which they purchased some time ago with the help of an energy-efficient mortgage.

"As a first-time home buyer, I never would have qualified for this home if it had not been Energy Star. An energy-efficient mortgage gave us greater buying power, and the low utility bills we've enjoyed have kept our home affordable," McGhie said.

Tests conducted by efficiency raters can confirm that a home meets Energy Star requirements of being at least 30 percent more efficient than a home built to the national Model Energy Code.

"We check for things like the tightness of the HVAC duct system and ensure that the entire system has been properly sealed, and we also look to make sure that low-e windows have been properly installed and that proper levels of insulation have been utilized," McGhie said.

The McGhies are selling their home, and the new buyer may also be eligible for an energy-efficient mortgage, which is also available for people willing to make energy-saving improvements to their current homes. Energy Star homes come with a Home Energy Rating System report documenting the performance and expected energy savings.

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