Energy Star www.energystar.gov is an energy program
developed by the EPA in the early 90s to help builders address persistent problems
with energy conservation. Specifically things such as making sure there is insulation
behind the tub, proper air sealing to prevent air infiltration, proper
insulation installation, efficient appliances and windows, etc. Things that
should have been done as a matter of course, but that consistently were found to
be wanting, especially in sub-standard builders. The programs were an attempt
by the EPA to make sure all builders are building to a consistent standard.
As Energy Star has evolved it has
gotten more difficult to get certified and more costly. Having addressed, and
to Energy Star’s credit, largely eliminated the low hanging fruit among quality
builders, they are being more aggressive with Energy Star 3.0. Energy Star’s
goal is to be 15% more efficient than the current energy code. http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=next_generation.ng_qualified_new_homes&s=footer
As the energy and building codes become
more efficient so does the Energy Star program.
Energy Star (ES) recently upgraded
from ES 2.0 to ES 3.0. As part of the transition they went from ES 2.0 to 2.5
and finally to the current version of ES 3.0. We have certified homes at all
three levels of Energy Star. One of the major, and most difficult to achieve,
advancements of ES 3.0 is its requirement of testing our HVAC systems to a much
higher standard. Our heating and cooling systems use over 50% of our total
home’s energy on average. http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/tips-your-homes-energy-use
The fact that many home builders
currently do not test their mechanical systems, which are huge energy sucker
and very poorly understood, even by those in the industry is baffling to me.
What ES 3.0 does for HVAC systems
is it tests them in many different ways to make sure they will perform to above
the current Energy Code. It requires HVAC contractors to use the correct
analysis to assure that they are sizing equipment and ducts properly to create comfortable
and efficient homes, and then it checks their work. I applaud this advancement.
We can and should expect more from our HVAC systems. Now we can expect more from
these systems and we can prove the efficiencies and functionality of these
systems through third party testing of our homes.
