WHAT IS ENERGY STAR®?

ENERGY STAR is the government-backed program that helps us all to save money and protect our environment with energy-efficient products and practices. Whether you are looking to replace old appliances, remodel your home, or buy a new house, ENERGY STAR can help. More than 40 kinds of products, including lighting, appliances, televisions, computers, heating and cooling equipment, and even new homes, can earn the government's ENERGY STAR label. ENERGY STAR also offers best practice solutions, like home sealing and duct sealing, that can make your home more comfortable and reduce your energy costs.

Energy efficiency helps us make the most of our nation's energy resources and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Home Performance with ENERGY STAR, sponsored nationally by U.S. EPA and U.S. DOE and available in select cities, offers a comprehensive, whole-house approach to making energy-efficient home improvements. Participating contractors provide recommendations and services to homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient and comfortable, while reducing their utility bills and protecting the environment.

Environmental Resorces Partners Energy Star Inspections provide a three-part program which includes the following:

  1. REM/Rate Building Diagnostic: a Residential Energy Management software program that determines the performance and energy efficiency of the home base on a set of plans or a field survey of the house.
  2. Pre-Drywall Walk-Through: an on-site inspection to ensure proper sealing of the building envelope and the HVAC duct system and verification of window and door types and mechanical components and systems. If advanced construction techniques are used during construction they will be noted during this inspection. 
  3. Final Performance Test: the home will be tested with the use of the Minneapolis Door Blower and separate Duct Blaster Systems. These computerized systems will determine the actual leakage percentages of the whole house and duct system required for Energy Star and Green Building program certifications.