Recently in Energy Star for Housing Category

According to the study, "Does Green Pay Off?," ENERGY STAR rated commercial buildings have sale prices 30% per sq. ft. higher than traditional buildings.

Compared to traditional buildings, owners and managers of ENERGY STAR rated buildings can expect

• $2 per sq. ft. greater rents,
• 2% higher occupancy rates and
• $0.54 per sq. ft. lower energy-related operating costs

Operating expenses from energy costs varied with Energy Star-rated buildings running $1.27 per square foot per year for energy in 2006 and non-Energy Star-rated buildings running $1.81 per square foot.

Survey results are based on findings in a study released last week. Norm Miller, a professor at the University of San Diego, and Jay Spivey and Andy Florance, the research director and CEO respectively with CoStar. They compared 223 ENERGY STAR rated Class A office buildings of at least 200,000 sq. ft. with 2,077 non-ENERGY STAR buildings of the same class and size.

Buildings with the ENERGY STAR label are among the 25% most efficient of similar buildings nationwide.

California Energy Commission (CEC) -- The 2005 Title 24 Standards

http://www.energy.ca.gov/title24/ Select 2005 Standards, Select Residential manual or Non Residential manual. Energy Efficiency Hotline: 1-800-772-3300 (California only)

EPA ENERGY STAR® New Homes Program

The ENERGY STAR® New Homes Program is nationwide.
http://www.energystar.gov/homes
or call 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937)

CalCERT™, California Certified Energy Rating and Testing Services

CalCERT is a California Energy Commission approved HERS Provider.
http://www.calcerts.com
or call 1-916-985-3400

CHEERS®, The California Home Energy Efficiency Rating Services

CHEERS is a California Energy Commission approved HERS Provider.
http://www.CHEERS.org
or call 1-800-4-CHEERS (1-800-424-3377)

CBPCA, The California Building Performance Contractor Association

CBPCA is a CEC approved HERS Provider.
http://www.cbpca.org
or call 1-888-352-2722

California Green Builder (CGB)

The Building Industry Institute (BII) established CGB's requirements for new homes for significant improvements in energy efficiency, water and wood conservation, indoor air quality and comfort, and on-site waste diversion
http://www.cagreenbuilder.org

New Solar Homes Partnership

The California Energy Commission funds solar electricity systems on NEW homes.
http://www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov/nshp/

California Solar Initiative

The California Public Utilities Commission funds solar electricity systems on businesses and EXISTING homes.
http://www.sce.com/csi

Build It Green

A professional non-profit membership organization promoting healthy, energy and resource-efficient buildings in California.
http://www.builditgreen.org

U.S. Green Buildings Council (USGBC)

The USGBC's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is one of the accepted benchmarks for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings.
http://www.usgbc.org
or call 1-800-340-8912

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently awarded an Irvine, Calif. non-profit developer an Energy Star award for its contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency.

Jamboree Housing Corporation received the Energy Star’s Excellence in Affordable Housing award for its efforts from 2003 to present to incorporate energy-efficient appliances or practices at its developments for workforce families and lower-income seniors that began with 348 apartment units, to 154 currently under construction, and 746 under renovation.

“The EPA applauds Jamboree Housing for its leadership in energy efficiency by bringing EnergyStar products to the population it serves,” said Deborah Jordan, the EPA’s Air Division director for the Pacific Southwest. “EnergyStar products save energy, which reduce greenhouse gas emissions, prevent pollution and lower energy bills.”

Jamboree serves families and seniors with a household income between 30-80 percent of the area median income, with an emphasis in the 50-60 percent range. The median household income for residents living in Jamboree communities is $19,000.

The EPA awarded 12 Excellence in Affordable Housing awards nationwide that include two national winners. The award recognizes governments, non-profits, non-governmental organizations or utilities that have made exceptional or market-leading contributions toward advancing energy efficiency in affordable housing through the use of Energy Star-qualified products and appliances or Energy Star’s residential construction guidelines.

The national winners were two of seventy-nine annual Energy Star award winners. The award categories included Sustained Excellence, Partner of the Year, Energy Star Award for Excellence and Special Recognition. The seventy-nine award winners were selected from over 12,000 organizations that partner with the Energy Star program to improve the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses.

Energy Star Solutions

In 2007, Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved $16 billion on their energy bills and avoided greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 27 million vehicles. To date, more than 2.5 billion Energy Star-qualified products have been sold, and nearly 840,000 new homes and 4,000 office buildings, schools, hospitals, and public buildings have earned the Energy Star. Energy Star-qualified products, homes, and buildings provide the quality, features, and personal comfort today's consumers expect.

Energy Star was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Star offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money, and help protect the environment for future generations.

For more information visit: http://www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937). (San Francisco, Calif. -- 05/08/2008) –