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One Million Energy Star Homes Built in the U.S

Release Date: 11/12/2009
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith, 215-814-5543, smith.bonnie@epa.gov

PHILADELPHIA (November 12, 2009) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today reaches a milestone for the Energy Star program by passing the one millionth Energy Star qualified home mark. Number 15 on the list of the top 20 markets for Energy Star built homes, the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington area has 12,455 Energy Star qualified homes. These Energy Star homes are saving the equivalent to eliminating emissions from 667 vehicles, saving 4,034,004 pounds of coal and planting 1,102 acres of trees, and saving the environment 7,911,493 pounds of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas.

This year alone, families across the country living in Energy Star qualified homes will save more than $270 million on their utility bills, while avoiding greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from about 370,000 vehicles.

“This is an amazing achievement for the Energy Star program – but the real winners are the one million American families who have the chance to save money and keep harmful pollution out of the air. That’s great news for anyone who wants to cut costs and protect our planet,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “We’re going to keep the number of Energy Star homes growing, because every new Energy Star home is a step towards lower costs, cleaner air, and communities that are environmentally and economically sustainable. We’re giving everyday American homebuyers the power to lower their bills and join the fight against climate change.”

To learn more about your community’s Energy Star qualified homes and participating builders in your area see: http://www.energystar.gov/onemillionhomes.

To earn the Energy Star label, a home must meet strict energy efficiency guidelines. Techniques include effective insulation systems, high-performance windows, tight construction and ducts, efficient heating and cooling equipment, and high-efficiency lighting and appliances. An independent home energy rater conducts inspections to verify that the home’s performance meets the Energy Star requirements.

There are more than 6,500 builders in the U.S. building homes that earn the Energy Star labels. Qualified new homes can be found in every state in the country.