UES Energy Smart Homes

A UES Energy Smart Home is a newly-constructed home that has earned the ENERGY STAR rating. It has been constructed, tested and verified to meet rigorous requirements established by the U.S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency.

An independent and certified Home Energy Rater works closely with builders throughout the construction process and tests and inspects the home to ensure it meets ENERGY STAR standards.

The higher quality construction of the home assures the buyer of greater energy efficiency and comfort and lower energy costs.

UES Energy Smart Homes use energy-efficient equipment and materials for a whole house systems approach to maximize the energy efficiency of heating and cooling, insulation and duct sealing, lighting, water heating, appliances and windows and doors. Some of these features include:

• Properly-installed insulation in floors, walls and attics ensures even temperatures throughout the home, lower energy use and offer greater comfort.
• High-performance windows with advanced technologies, such as protective coatings and improved frames, help keep heat in during winter and out during summer. These windows also block damaging ultraviolet sunlight that can fade carpets and furnishings.
• Tight construction and ducts in the home's envelope and heating and cooling duct systems helps reduce drafts, moisture, dust, pollen and noise. A tightly sealed home improves comfort and indoor air quality while reducing utility and maintenance.
• Efficient cooling and heating equipment less energy to operate, is quieter and reduces indoor humidity to improve the overall comfort of your home. When properly installed into a tightly-sealed home, this equipment won't have to work so hard to heat and cool the home.
• Energy-efficient products, such as ENERGY STAR lighting fixtures and bulbs, ventilation fans and appliances to help you to reduce your overall energy costs of everyday living.

UES Energy Smart Homes are environmentally-friendly because their lower energy use reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.

Building a new home is complicated enough without having to understand all of the technical specifications that meet energy efficient construction standards.

The UES Energy Smart Home designation helps homebuyers easily identify homes that are significantly more energy efficient than standard construction homes in the market.

These homes are superior to standard construction homes in several ways:

Lower ownership cost

Compared with standard homes, ENERGY STAR homes use up to 30 percent less energy for heating, cooling and water heating that results in $200 to $400 savings annually. Most homeowners live in their homes for an average of about 10 years before moving. Over time, these energy savings can add up to thousands of dollars.

More comfortable

Higher construction standards provide better protection against heat, cold, drafts, moisture, pollution and noise. An energy-efficient home helps ensure consistent temperatures throughout rooms, improved indoor air quality and greater durability.

A smart investment

By choosing an ENERGY STAR home, homeowners can be confident of their home’s high quality construction and energy efficiency when the time comes to sell. Some studies show that the value of ENERGY STAR homes increases an average of 9 percent, making the home a good investment.

To become partner builder, builders must build at least one ENERGY STAR-qualified home every 12 months. Their homes also must be built to ENERGY STAR’s high construction standards and pass independent inspection and testing to verify their homes meet program standards.

Some builders only build ENERGY STAR-qualified homes, while others offer ENERGY STAR homes in specific models, subdivisions or developments, or as an upgrade option.

To find participating builder partners in your area, visit the ENERGY STAR Partner Locator.