New Home Guide - Energy Efficiency, Energy Star Program, Renewable Energy Resources, and Green Building .

ENERGY STARŪ qualified homes are independently verified to be at least 30% more energy efficient than homes built to the 1993 national Model Energy Code, or 15% more efficient than a state's energy code, whichever standard is more rigorous. These energy savings are based on heating, cooling, and hot water use and are achieved through a combination of building envelope upgrades, high performance windows, controlled air infiltration, upgraded heating and air conditioning systems, duct systems and upgraded water-heating equipment. To learn more about the Energy Star program and participating builders, access www.energystar.gov.

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy is a nonprofit organization whose mission includes advancing energy efficiency in buildings and appliances. They promote the development and adoption of energy efficiency improvements, and help to develop and evaluates voluntary and mandatory energy labeling programs. The group provides input to the EPA/DOE ENERGY STARŪ program on a their programs and recently evaluated the Federal Trade Commission's Energy Guide appliance label. They are currently working to develop more stringent national model energy codes, and advocate code upgrades at the state level through the Building Codes Assistance Project. To learn more about their activities access www.aceee.org.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has tips on designing and building an energy efficient house, with topics like proper insulation, heating and cooling systems, the foundation, and the use of energy efficient appliances. Includes a discussion on technological improvements in building elements and construction techniques. Assess the Adobe PDF Document at: www.nrel.gov/docs/fy00osti/27835.pdf.

The U. S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Building Technologies Program works to improve the energy efficiency of buildings through innovative new technologies and building practices. Their research activities help to advance the next generation of energy-efficient components and building materials, and advocate a whole-building approach that optimizes building performance and savings. Their work promotes the idea that energy-efficient buildings use less energy and cost less to operate, saving money for homeowners. These practices also help the environment and our national economy. Their web site contains a section on saving energy for homeowners. www.eere.energy.gov/buildings.

Building Green is a site maintained by the publishers of Environmental Building News. They work with building professionals in a variety of activities supporting the mission that energy-efficient, healthy, environmentally sound buildings are practical and cost-effective. They know that providing reliable, objective information is essential for making good design and construction decisions. Their research and educational work is geared to helping building-industry professionals and policy makers improve environmental performance. Access their site at www.buildinggreen.com.

Green building, one of the most significant developments in new home construction in the past three decades, is nothing less than a quiet revolution in the way that new homes and communities are planned and constructed. National Association of Home Builder's publication "Building Greener: Building Better: The Quiet Revolution" examines this exciting trend.

Energy and Environmental Building Association is an organization that strives to provide education and resources to transform the residential design, development and construction industries to profitably deliver energy efficiency and environmentally responsible buildings and communities. They have substantial consumer resources for both new construction and existing homes covering everything from the building envelope to heating and cooling, lighting, appliances, and the indoor environment. www.eeba.org/resources/consumer.