Earlier this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expanded its very popular ENERGY STAR Buildings program to include existing multi-family homes. That means that your apartment building’s energy efficeincy could soon be rated on a 1-100 scale.
A score of 50 represents median energy performance, while a score of 75 indicates high efficiency. And over that threshold, your home may also be eligible for ENERGY STAR certification. Scores won’t be available until Fall 2014, but the new ranking system is already generating some buzz. So how would your home stack up?
If you’ve got a efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system like ecovent, you’re already on track. “High-efficiency systems that are engineered and installed to deliver more comfort, better moisture control, improved indoor air quality, and quieter operation” are one of the four key criteria required to reach ENERGY STAR certification. With ecovent, not only do you have room-level control over your comfort, but you’re also in good shape for ensuring better, more efficient HVAC operations.
Beyond HVAC, you can earn credit by improving insulation and air sealing, protecting your home from water damage, and outfitting it with ENERGY STAR-rated appliances. You can read about the verification process here.
For now, keep in mind that the new 1-100 grades will only apply to large multifamily facilities, like big apartment buildings. Single-family homes qualify for a different program, ENERGY STAR Certified Homes. Confusing? Check out ENERGY STAR’s handy flowchart below to see if your building might soon be ranked on a 1-100 scale.
Whether you’re in a single-family home or a large multifamily building, ecovent can help you to achieve energy efficiency in comfort and style.