Energy Star - Residential New Construction Program

 Energy Star for Residential New Construction Program

 

A home or apartment that can earn the Energy Star must meet the energy efficiency program requirements. The program requirements are set up by Energy Star's Residential New Construction Program.

Energy Star certified home and apartment needs at least 10% to save energy and achieve an average of 20% more efficiency, and the following complete building science package can support the homes and apartments to achieve the energy efficiency level: A Complete Water Management System; A complete Thermal Enclosure System; Energy-Efficient Lighting and Appliance and A Complete Heating and Cooling System.

An Energy Star recognized third-party to ensure homes and apartments meet program requirements. Then, the third-party rating company will be involved in the construction process and offer acknowledgment and equipment to make sure the home or apartment achieves the energy efficiency of the program requirement and earn the Energy Star label.

The Energy Star program requirement for energy efficiency has been constantly improved since 1995. The Energy Star program helps homeowners save energy costs by $410 million, reduce greenhouse gas reductions by nearly 4 million metric tons, and about 3 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity saved in 2019.

Energy Star sign 

(Picture from Google images with CC licenses)

There has a success story of Energy Star from TIAA-CREF multifamily housing. TIAA-CREF invests in about 12,000 multifamily units and is one of the largest real estate investors in the U.S. TIAA-CREF joined the Energy Star program in 2002 and became the first financial services organization to receive a Sustained award winner and multiple-year Energy Star partner of the Year.

TIAA-CREF used a set of energy efficiency in more than 40 multifamily houses in 2008, and the strategies include: replacing appliances and equipment certified by Energy Star; reducing temperatures of hot tub and pool; In amenity areas and common areas using 7-day programmable thermostats; using Energy Star qualified CFLs and training staffs to use units more efficiently. TIAA-CREF save about $500,000 each year by reducing energy consumption by 9.1% from 2007 to 2009.

CFLs 

(Picture from Google images with CC licenses)

Continuous improvement is the first target by TIAA-CREF. The strategy is very important, especially in the real estate market, with any opportunity to increase income can help with business growth. Otherwise, TIAA-CREF can use the saved money to invest in more energy-efficient systems to reduce the cost of energy and make their multifamily houses more efficient and “green.”

Here are the links to the post:

https://www.energystar.gov/partner_resources/residential_new/about

https://www.energystar.gov/about/origins_mission/impacts

https://www.energystar.gov/buildings/tools-and-resources/energy-star-success-story-tiaa-cref-multifamily-housing