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ENERGY STAR and HUD Programs
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HUD has joined with EPA and DOE to promote ENERGY
STAR through all of HUD's programs. Through a Memorandum
of Understanding signed by Secretary Mel Martinez in September
2002, HUD will work with EPA and DOE to expand the use of ENERGY
STAR products in assisted and public housing, as in projects financed
through other HUD programs, such as CDBG and HOME.
ENERGY STAR is a voluntary labeling program designed to identify
and promote energy efficient products and appliances. ENERGY STAR-labeled
products save energy and money and protect the environment. Improving
energy efficiency in HUD-financed and HUD-assisted housing can generate
significant savings for property owners and building residents.
There are three key ENERGY STAR applications:
ENERGY
STAR Products and Appliances
ENERGY STAR appliances are significantly more energy efficient than
standard models. There are 31 different products that have the ENERGY
STAR label, including refrigerators, clothes and dish washers, HVAC
equipment, windows, and lighting.
ENERGY
STAR for New Homes
Single family and low-rise multifamily homes can achieve the ENERGY
STAR label. ENERGY STAR qualified homes must be at least 30 percent
more energy efficient than homes built to the 1993 Model Energy
Code, or 15 percent more efficient than state energy codes, whichever
is more rigorous. These savings are based on heating, cooling, and
hot water energy use and are typically achieved through a combination
of building envelope improvements, high performance windows, controlling
air infiltration, efficient furnaces, air conditioners and domestic
hot water equipment and sealed ducts.
ENERGY
STAR for Existing Homes
EPA has developed a range of tools for improving the energy efficiency
of existing homes. These include a focus on sealing ducts and adding
insulation, as well as diagnostic tools such as the Home Energy
Advisor and the Home Energy Yardstick that homeowners can use to
identify possible energy efficiency improvements.
Benefits
- HUD spends more than 10% of its annual budget-an estimated
$4 billion-on energy. These funds are distributed through utility
allowances to renters, housing assistance payments to private
building owners, and operating grants to public housing authorities.
HUD estimates that installing basic efficiency measures in public
housing alone can save taxpayers at least $800 million over
the next 10 years.
- Renters can save 15% to 20% on their energy bills by installing
ENERGY STAR qualified products such as refrigerators, room air
conditioners, and lighting.
- ENERGY STAR qualified new homes can save 30% a year or more
($200 to $400) on heating and cooling bills.
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