1. ENERGY STAR
An Introduction

2. Why join ENERGY STAR?

3. Why join ENERGY STAR?
• Poor market conditions
– Market swamped with distressed homes
– Tight credit
– Long-term escalating energy costs
– Nervous consumers looking for bargains

4. Why join ENERGY STAR?
• Growing consumer interest in
sustainability, green, energy efficiency
– Growing interest across market segments
• 49% of prospective buyers rank energy efficiency
features “important” (31% rank luxuries important)
• 89% willing to pay more for them
– Skepticism of greenwashing

5. Why join ENERGY STAR?
• Liability Concerns
– Construction defect litigation
– Warranty calls
– IR technology
< $2,000

6. Why join ENERGY STAR?

7. Why join ENERGY STAR?

8. Why join ENERGY STAR?

9. Why join ENERGY STAR?
• Challenges • Opportunities
– Competition from – Proof of superior
existing homes quality
– Nervous consumers – Real, trustworthy
– Interest in, environmental
skepticism about performance
green – Internal QC
– New technology
shows building
performance flaws

10. Why join ENERGY STAR?
• “Of all the leading brand names that
Ryland strategically associates itself with,
none has more power or market
recognition than ENERGY STAR.”
– Ryland Homes

11. Why join ENERGY STAR?
• “The consumer benefits of cost savings,
coupled with a growing concern for
environmental issues such as climate
change, have become instrumental to the
success of our marketing efforts and
referral activity.”
– Segal & Morel

12. Why join ENERGY STAR?
• “Our subcontractors send their best crews
because they know their work will be
inspected.”
– Astoria Homes

13. Is ENERGY STAR right for
you?

14. Is ENERGY STAR right for
you?
• What is ENERGY STAR for Homes?
• A voluntary label that:
– Defines energy efficiency
– Helps builders sell energy-efficient homes

15. Is ENERGY STAR right for
you?
• Defines energy efficiency
• Features – Advanced technology
– Advanced design &
construction techniques
– Verification
• Helps builders sell energy-efficient homes
• Messages – Quality
– Affordability
– Responsibility
• Tools – Trusted national brand
– Marketing training, tools, and collateral

16. Is ENERGY STAR right for
you?
• What do you get out?
– Reduce liability and defects
– Eliminate competition from existing
homes
– Compete more effectively on quality,
affordability, environmental responsibility
– Increase customer satisfaction

17. Is ENERGY STAR right for
you?
• What do you put in?
– Changes in materials and equipment
– Changes in construction process
– Cost of rating
– Changes in marketing strategy and sales
process
• “If you’re not telling your story, you’re
giving it away.”
– Vernon McKown

18. Is ENERGY STAR right for
you?
• Will the guidelines help you build
better homes?
• Can you use EPA resources and your
own marketing know-how to sell these
improvements?
• How can you most effectively integrate
ENERGY STAR into your business?

19. Getting Started

20. Getting started
1. Find a Home Energy Rater

21. Getting started
2. Compare current practices to ENERGY
STAR
3. Get your team’s commitment
– Use webinars, presentations, your rater
4. Sign a Partnership Agreement
– www.energystar.gov/homesPA

22. Getting started
5. Integrate ENERGY STAR
– Start with Educational Resources at
www.energystar.gov/homes
– Design, purchasing, construction
– Marketing, sales