Energy StarA voluntary Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)/Department of Energy (DOE) program that certifies products and new homes based on third-party verification of the products and the homes ability to meet specific energy saving and efficiency performance requirements set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
National Program Requirements define the core energy efficiency specifications. Requires completion of four
inspection checklists that address thermal enclosure, HVAC System Installation and Contractor, and the homes water management system. [url, pdf; Energy Star]
Department of Energy (DOE) Building America ProgramPartners with the home building industry to identify and bring innovations and resources to the housing market. Provides building science information through its
Solution Center to promote high performance homes.
[url; DOE]
EarthCraft Residential Programs Used primarily in the Southeast and mid-Atlantic regions, EarthCraft programs set design standards for energy, water and resource efficient buildings. [url; Earthcraft, Southface Energy]
The residential programs offers four certifications:
- EarthCraft House
Addresses the specific climate conditions of the Southeast and mid-Atlantic to create and maintain energy and resource efficient homes Program is intended for single-family detached homes, townhomes, and duplexes.
- EarthCraft Multifamily
First multifamily specific green building program in the nation. Provides certifications for low-rise and mid-rise multifamily projects, including new construction and renovation. Standards address a range of sustainability considerations, including environmental performance, indoor air quality, building durability, comfort and affordability. Standards address both the unit level as well as the entire structure.
- EarthCraft Renovation
Provides standards for homeowners to improve building performance, durability, operational efficiency and indoor air quality.
Existing Green Building Codes An EPA compendium of green building codes, standards, and ratings from across the country, along with a listing of jurisdictions with existing green building codes and what the codes cover. [url; EPA]
Model Green and Advanced Codes Provides information and examples of model green codes, as well as "advance" or "stretch" codes that are pushing the envelope to create energy efficient, healthy and more environmentally-friendly buildings. Resource for policy makers, housing and health professionals and advocates, and the private sector to learn more about how and where codes are going in the future to address climate change and resilience. [url; Building Codes Assistance Project]
Building Codes Assistance Project BCAP provides extensive resources related to residential (and commercial) energy and building codes useful to policymakers, housing, health, and energy efficiency professionals, and the public. Resources include a listing of state energy codes, concerns about existing codes, code enforcement, policy tool kits, guidance on building codes to meet local needs, and much more. [url, B-CapEnergy]
Building Performance Institute (BPI) Technical Standards The Building Performance Institute, Inc. (BPI) publishes standards related to the energy efficiency and performance of residential buildings. Standards are defined for the building performance, how to assess performance, as well as for individuals testing and monitoring building performance. Although standards primarily focus on energy conservation measures and criteria, they also address the building as a whole.
[url, pdf; BPI, 2016]
Building Performance Institute (BPI) and Home Performance Coalition Data StandardsProvides standards on how to collect, track and manage data in the home performance and weatherization industry. Focuses on BPI data standards projects:
BPI-2100 Data Transfer;
BPI-2200 Data Collection; and
BPI-2101 Home Performance Certification. [url; BPI]