In this issue of the SERH Newsletter:
ENERGY STAR Update - ENERGY STAR 2011 Update
- Indoor airPlus
- Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR
- Marketing Toolkit Update
- ENERGY STAR Water Heaters
- ENERGY STAR Furnaces
- ENERGY STAR Residential Windows, Doors, and Skylights
RESNET Membership
Southface Green Pro
Raters, Southface Energy Rated Homes is pleased to present to you all the newest information from the US EPA’s ENERGY STAR program.
ENERGY STAR 2011 Update In order to continue to serve as a leader in the energy efficient homes market, the EPA is in the process of developing ENERGY STAR 2011. This update will allow the program to deliver above code performance while keeping pace with building science improvements. The final version of the updated standards is slated to be finished by winter of 2010, at which point ENERGY STAR builders and partners will have approximately 1 year to adopt the new system. Stay tuned to the ENEGY STAR website for tools and resources further explaining the rationale and planning implementation process for ENERGY STAR 2011. Indoor airPlus
 As we all know, one of the most effective tools for marketing high performance homes is the benefit homeowners receive in increased comfort and health through improved indoor air quality. To further market this advantage, the EPA has developed Indoor airPLUS - a complementary label that helps to identify ENERGY STAR qualified homes with additional features to protect against common indoor pollutants such as mold, combustion gases, and airborne pollutants. To qualify for this label, third-party verification must be conducted, which can conveniently be accomplished at the same time as ENERGY STAR verification. Through partnering with this program, builders receive guidance on best practices to decrease indoor air quality concerns from ENERGY STAR, providing guaranteed technical assistance to ensure increased customer satisfaction and market differentiation. Visit www.epa.gov/indoorairplus for more info. Designed to Earn the Energy Star To further support the emergence of the ENERGY STAR industry, the Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR program has been created in order to give a basis of design for architects and designers to plan their new home designs around which will ensure ENERGY STAR compliance. Although this program is mainly targeted to the above mentioned constituents, it is worth mentioning for all of you within the SERH Providership because participating architects and designers will be required to solicit the services of Home Energy Raters to complete a Plan Review as well as a Thermal Bypass Checklist. Thus, you all may have a new service to offer architects and designers; to help them certify their plans as Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR. For more, visit Designed to Earn the Energy Star: Marketing Toolkit Update
 As you already know, using Southface Energy Rated Homes as your provider gives you unsurpassed quality assurance as well as aligns your business with a recognized leader in the high performance homes industry. But, did you realize that through your SERH providership you have access to a variety of customizable ENERGY STAR marketing tools and documents? This ENERGY STAR marketing toolkit is typically only accessible to ENERGY STAR Partner organizations. However through the SERH providership we offer you the ability to create documents to reflect the services your company offers and giving you the ability to market these services with the ENERGY STAR name brand affiliation. Included in these tools are flyers, logos, web graphics, display cards, and fact sheets – all fully customizable – to further the mission of energy efficiency and help your business grow. Coming soon are new fact sheets in duct design/sealing, ENERGY STAR Windows, ENERGYS STAR HVAC equipment, and Going Green. Click here to learn more. ENERGY STAR Water Heaters  As of the beginning of 2009, residential water heaters now have the ability to earn ENERGY STAR. The value in this is not only that there is now a recognizable standard for consumers pursuing an upgrade in their water heating technology, but also allows water heaters to be used as the one mandatory ENERGY STAR appliance in the ENERGY STAR for New Homes Guidelines. ENERGY STAR Furnace Requirements As some of you may know, the EPA was considering changing the standard for residential furnaces from 90 AFUE to 92. This change, however, will not go into affect for the time being, as the EPA determined that the payback for such an upgrade would be greater than 5 years due in part to costs associated with condensing versus non-condensing technologies. New ENERGY STAR Program Requirements for Residential Windows, Doors, and Skylights Finalized
After 18 months of revisions, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has posted the new ENERGY STAR Requirements for Residential Windows, Doors and Skylights. The new specifications will go into effect on January 4, 2010. DOE will provide details on the transition in the next few months. Did you know that you can enhance your marketing exposure by becoming a RESNET member? Raters who become RESNET members will be listed on the RESNET website under their Certified Rater Directory where consumers can locate raters in their area. Visit their website for more information on how to become a RESNET member.
Southface Green Pro Certification Package Did you know Southface currently offers the following certification training and services to energy professionals in the new and existing single and multifamily industries: The chart below highlights the professional designations required for the range of green building programs that are offered by Southface. If you are ready to get started or want more information, please contact your present program representative.
Southface Energy Rated Homes
Contact: Eurihea Speciale
404.604.3653 |
