The Benefits of Building ENERGY STAR® Certified Homes

Arizona-based builder VIP Homes shares why it has been building ENERGY STAR certified homes for 20 years

As one of Arizona’s first ENERGY STAR^® builders, we are proud to celebrate the 20th anniversary of ENERGY STAR^® certified homes. As a builder, there is no better feeling than knowing that each house you complete will improve the quality of life for families across America and for future generations. VIP Homes truly believes in the value of the ENERGY STAR^® program, and for almost 20 years we have seen firsthand how it benefits both homeowners and builders alike.

Twenty years ago, American homebuyers had no easy way to identify an energy-efficient house. Now, homebuyers can look for the blue ENERGY STAR^® label on a home and know that they are purchasing a home that’s better built and more comfortable, as well as up to 30 percent more energy-efficient than a typical new home.

Energy-efficient homes stand out in the market and give us a competitive advantage, particularly as home buyers become ever more discerning. The ENERGY STAR^® label is a signal to homebuyers that VIP Homes is invested in the future, both by ensuring our homes are built to last, and by reducing their impact on the environment.

Even though our homebuyers say they are looking for energy efficiency, they’re surprised by just how much they save. One of our buyers recently told me that even though they doubled the size of their home, they cut their energy bill in half. The difference? The previous, smaller home wasn’t ENERGY STAR^® certified, and the new, larger, VIP-built home had earned the ENERGY STAR^® label.

As a builder in Arizona, I know just how much use the average in-home HVAC system gets, which can drastically increase energy bills. The enhanced performance of the high-efficiency heating, ventilation, and cooling system in ENERGY STAR^® certified homes reduces the work heating and cooling systems have to do. Each home has undergone rigorous tests to be certain that it meets strict energy efficiency requirements set by the EPA. Residents rave about the consistent, comfortable temperature that they find in each room throughout their home and that there are no hot spots or cold spots.

Homeowners know an ENERGY STAR^® certified home gives them a handful of sought after qualities for any home. It gives them better comfort because air leaks and drafts are diminished, humidity levels are controlled, and outside noise is reduced.

It gives them better quality through a fully integrated approach to home design and construction which delivers systems that work together to deliver higher quality.

It gives them peace of mind—more independent inspections and testing are done than in typical new homes, meaning that homes are built better from the ground up.

Each home that earns the ENERGY STAR^® label is designed and built for energy efficiency from the ground up; each follows a rigorous certification process that verifies each energy efficiency feature, many of which are hidden behind walls, in the attic and under the foundation.

These features include: thermal enclosure system with comprehensive air sealing, quality-installed insulation, and high-performance windows to deliver improved comfort and lower utility bills, a high-efficiency heating, ventilating and cooling system that’s designed and installed for optimal performance; a comprehensive water management system to protect roofs, walls, and foundations from moisture damage; and energy-efficient lighting and appliances that keep utility bills low while providing better performance and longevity.

As our clients well know, when it comes to ENERGY STAR^® certified homes, better is simply, well, better. The “Better is Better” motto from ENERGY STAR^® conveys to homebuyers that their home is built better from the ground up, exceeding the energy performance of a typical new home. The ENERGY STAR^® label on a home built by VIP Homes gives homeowners the complete package: savings, comfort, and quality.

As builders, we know that we have provided a great product for both homeowners and the environment. With the ENERGY STAR^® label, homeowners know they have invested in a home that will last a lifetime, while working to create a more sustainable future.

• Energy-efficient homes stand out in the market and give a competitive advantage

• Certified homes give homebuyers peace of mind and quality

• Before the blue ENERGY STAR^® label, homebuyers had no easy way to know if a house was energy-efficient

Warren Petersen is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for VIP Homes. He may be reached by visiting www.viphomes.com.