ENERGY STAR Homes

The Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) offers the Colorado ENERGY STAR New Homes Program. GEO will work closely with several Colorado cities, homebuilder associations, homebuilders and Home Energy Rating partners to support the statewide construction and testing of new energy efficient single family homes built to ENERGY STAR standards. The program will also aim to increase consumer awareness of energy efficiency options in residential new construction, and actively support all participating Colorado ENERGY STAR homebuilders. All certified new homes will receive the ENERGY STAR label to allow for simple identification by Colorado home buyers.

What is an ENERGY STAR New Home?
To earn the ENERGY STAR label, a home must meet guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (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 home’s actual energy performance must be certified by an independent Home Energy Rater who is responsible for conducting onsite testing and inspections of installed measures such as insulation, high performance windows, building envelope, duct systems, and efficient heating and cooling equipment. Additional ENERGY STAR Home information can be found at www.energystar.gov/homes.

City Partnerships & Sponsorship Opportunities
GEO is looking to engage with several single-city or multi-city partnerships (where geographically appropriate), throughout the state for the implementation of the Colorado ENERGY STAR New Homes Program. All participating city-partners will receive a $25,000 grant from GEO to manage a regional implementation of the Colorado ENERGY STAR New Homes Program, (a matching $25,000 city-partner contribution is required, allowing for at minimum a $50,000 regional program budget, though a higher level of city support is encouraged). GEO will provide the city-partner with program implementation guidelines, marketing resources, training opportunities for homebuilders, program tracking tools, city and homebuilder recognition, and both state and federal program support and resources.

Program Features
In partnership with the EPA, the GEO will be operating a statewide ENERGY STAR homebuilder awareness campaign throughout 2008. All city-partner programs will receive support for the implementation of the following regional efforts:
• Overall Program Management and Tracking Tools
• Assistance Increasing Regional Homebuilder Participation
• Resources to Develop Regional HERS Raters
• Training on Energy Efficient Construction Practices for Participating Homebuilders
• Creation of Regional Homebuilder ENERGY STAR Marketing and Advertising Groups
• Energy Efficient Resources and Training Support for Area Real Estate Professionals

How to Participate
GEO requires that all potential ENERGY STAR® New Homes program partners submit an application for GEO matching funds. This application is found on the GEO funding opportunities page.

For resources from the informational meeting held on December 5th, 2007 please visit this program's partner resources page.

For Service Providers
Organizations that wish to be included on a list of service providers are invited to submit a program implementation interest form ( 106 KB). Submission of this form expresses a desire to be listed as an organization that may be able to assist GEO’s program partners in the implementation of the Colorado ENERGY STAR® New Homes Program. GEO will not endorse services or products. Results from this form will only be used to create a list on this web page regarding the ENERGY STAR New Homes Program only.