GEO Energy Star

for New Homes

Going Green?

If you are looking to go green, an energy-efficient home is a great first step. The easiest way to make sure that your new home is truly energy efficient is to look for the blue ENERGY STAR, the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency.

With ENERGY STAR qualified homes, you get all the features you expect, plus a quieter, more comfortable home and lower utility bills. At the same time, you’ll be helping to reduce greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change.

If you are looking to start ‘going green,’ an energy-efficient home is a great first step. The easiest way to make sure that your new home is truly energy efficient is to look for the blue ENERGY STAR, the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency.

With ENERGY STAR qualified homes, you get all the features you expect, plus a quieter, more comfortable home and lower utility bills. At the same time, you’ll be helping to reduce greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change.

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What is ENERGY STAR?

ENERGY STAR 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 to 30% more efficient than standard homes.

The home's actual energy performance must be certified by an independent Home Energy Rater. The rater conducts on-site testing and inspections of installed measures such as insulation, high performance windows, building envelope, duct systems, and efficient heating and cooling equipment.

Features of ENERGY STAR qualified homes

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ENERGY STAR through 2009

TNCC, in partnership with the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) and San Miguel Power Association (SMPA), is continuing the ENERGY STAR New Homes (ESNH) program in 2009.  In 2008 many local professionals participated in local training opportunities hosted for contractors, builders, real estate professionals, HERS raters, and others in the new home building & sales industry.  We are looking forward to the growth of this program during 2009.  We encourage members of the new home industry throughout SMPA Territory to participate in this program this year.

TNCC’s ENERGY STAR New Homes program will be providing educational programming, technical support during the permitting process and marketing for ENERGY STAR builders, HERS Raters and developments. 

Typical features of ENERGY STAR qualified homes:

- An efficient home envelope with effective levels of wall, floor, and attic insulation that is properly installed, along with comprehensive air barriers.

- Efficient air distribution using ducts are installed with minimum air leakage and effective insulation.

- Efficient equipment for heating, cooling and water heating.

- Efficient lighting, including fixtures that earn the ENERGY STAR label.

- Efficient appliances, including ENERGY STAR qualified dishwashers, refrigerators and clothes washers.

These energy efficiency improvements save homeowners money on their utility bills - typically about $200 to $400 per year.

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New $300 rebate available!

The Governor's Energy Office (GEO) is offering a $300 per home rebate to all Colorado homebuilders who construct certified ENERGY STAR New Homes and meet the rebate eligibility requirements for 2009. The rebate is only offered for ENERGY STAR homes in locations where a utility rebate is not available to the homebuilder.

ENERGY STAR New Home Rebate Form

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Learn more about the Home Energy Rating System (HERS)

HERS rater training Scholarships available through TNCC

Become a Home Energy Rater!

TNCC with funding partnership from San Miguel Power Association and the Colorado State Governor’s Energy Office, is continuing the ENERGY STAR for New Homes program in 2009.  Scholarship funding is available to assist three people with course costs for participation in a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) certification training course of their choice.

HERS Scholarship Information

New ENERGY STAR New Home Mortgage available in Colorado!

Buy an ENERGY STAR qualified new home and get a better deal on your mortgage!  This pilot program is now offered throughout Colorado, for a limited time only.

Bank of Colorado and the GEO are partnering with the Northern Colorado ENERGY STAR Homes program to offer the Colorado ENERGY STAR Mortgage.  The bank and GEO are together underwriting a total of one "discount point" that you can use to access a lower interest rate on your new home loan. This means savings every month over the term of the mortgage.

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ENERGY STAR New Home Partnership Info

Become an ENERGY STAR partner, it's easy!

View our TNCC partner list!

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ENERGY STAR Mortgage pilot program has been extended!!!

The Bank of Colorado and the GEO are offering one full "discount point" that you can use to access a lower interest rate on your ENERGY STAR New Home loan: providing savings every month for term of the mortgage.  This incentive will be available to homebuyers through December 31, 2009.

For more info, please go to www.coloradoenergystarhomes.com or contact:

Stephen Ponce-Pore

Bank of Colorado

970.206.1160

Stephen.poncepore@bankofcolorado.com

Training Opportunities / Events

Builder / Contractor Training:

October 21-22 in conjunction with annual Contractor Meeting in Mountain Village.

Upcoming ENERGY STAR sponsored Green Building home tours:

• Thursday, October 22
• Sunday, November 15

Details coming soon!

Half-day ENERGY STAR Marketing course.

Coming in November

Mountain Village Town Hall (above Mountain Market)

RSVP: TNCC 728-5208 (Kate Danaher)

COST: $25 / person - checks payable to TNCC.

Integrated Design Workshop:

Friday, November 6. For architects/engineers from mountain town communities.

TOPICS

• Considerations for high altitude/mountain building in integrated design.
• Integrated Design plans and teams.
• Local building codes.

Real Estate / Mortgage Professional Training:November 17, 18 or 19.

Details coming soon!

Infrared Thermal Imaging Camera available for checkout:

Thanks to the 2008 ENERGY STAR New Homes program, TNCC has an infrared camera that is available for checkout by qualified home energy auditors/raters, building officials & inspectors, and ENERGY STAR partners in the community.

This tool is helpful in analyzing hard-to-detect air leakage from a building, insulation gaps in walls/ceilings, and other thermal inefficiencies in a building.  It is being used in the upcoming 2009 ENERGY STAR training opportunities. 

If interested in checking out this equipment, please email Kim Wheels at energy.tncc@gmail.com.