Energy Star, RESNET and HERS

MOKULUA HPB has partnered with Energy Star as a top tier efficiency home builder; meaning we are 100% committed to ALL of our homes being certified as an Energy Star home.  Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy; exemplifying energy efficient practices and products in construction helping to protect the environment and save money at the same time.  Energy Star was introduced as a voluntary labeling program in 1992 aimed at promoting energy-efficient products and reducing green house gas emissions.  Today, the Energy Star program continues to benefit and save consumers money through incentives and rebates, in 2010 savings amassed $18 billion.

Homeowners and builders can greatly benefit from participating in the Energy Star program; there are incentives and rebates available for newly constructed, rehabbed or new home purchases; assuming they meet the criteria. To earn Energy Star, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the EPA.  These homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20–30% more efficient than standard homes.  The following are the target areas for achieving a high performance home;

-          Effective Insulation Systems

-          High–Performance Windows

-          Tight Construction and Ducts

-          Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment

-          Energy Star Qualified Lighting and Appliances

To ensure that a home meets Energy Star guidelines, third–party verification by a certified Home Energy Rater is required. This Rater works closely with the builder throughout the construction process to help determine the needed energy saving equipment and construction techniques and conduct required on site diagnostic testing and inspections to document that the home is eligible to earn the Energy Star label.

For more information on ENERGY STAR check out; http://www.energystar.gov

Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) is an independent, non-profit organization, recognized by the EPA and DOE, which manages national training and certification standards for the Home Energy Rating System (HERS).  HERS rater’s perform inspections and verify if your home meets the standards for Energy Star.  HERS involves an analysis of a home’s construction plans and onsite inspections. Based on plans, the rater uses an energy efficiency software package to perform an energy analysis of the home’s design. This analysis yields a projected, pre-construction HERS Index.  Once the home is complete a physical site inspection, including various tests, is performed to generate the actual HERS Index and certification level for the home.  Unlike a Building Performance Audit or a weatherization assessment, a home energy rating is a recognized tool in the mortgage industry.  Collectively these programs are helping homeowners reduce the cost of utility bills through more energy efficient practices and products; they also serve as a valuable tool to qualify for incentives, rebates and energy efficient financing opportunities.

At MOKULUA HPB, energy efficiency is a priority when planning and building our High Performance Homes, the positive return on investment is clear when considering the incentives of these programs.  Our commitment is ensuring clients understand the short and long term benefits of these programs as well as the inherent qualities of a High Performance Home; promoting a healthy life, a place to share and love, and a foundation for the continued pursuit of happiness.

For RESNET; http://www.resnet.us/ and/or HERS; http://www.resnet.us/home-energy-ratings