For years the US Government has had concerns about the amount of money we send to the Middle East for foreign oil, years ago we were spending approximately one billion dollars per month, we are now well over that amount. The Department of Energy (DOE) was given the task to look at the demand side of our energy use and the results were alarming. Some estimates say we could reduce our demand by 30 to 40% with just making a few changes. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shares the same goals but focuses on the negative environmental impacts of fossil fuel electrical generation. Hence, The ENERGY STAR Program was born as a combined effort of the DOE and the EPA.

Congratulations to builder Mr. Frank Murphy, for achieving NHAB Green Gold Status for his recent project in Bridgehampton, NY. Home Energy Solutions, Inc. worked closely with Mr. Murphy in assisting him to achieve the highest level of Green Verification.

Since Long Island Power Authority’s (LIPA) inception they have had a Clean Energy Initiative in place helping residents and businesses reduce the demand side of their energy use. These market transformation programs provide incentives to home owners and commercial building owners for long term savings. They have been successful and have won national awards for their conservation programs. In 2004 LIPA rolled out the ENERGY STAR Labeled Homes (ESLH) program along with incentives for home builders to help offset the initial cost. LIPA spent millions of dollars placing an infrastructure to market and implement this program. By 2007, less than 2% of new home construction was being built to ESLH standards. Several reasons for the low response ranged from the builders budget to consumer apathy.

Things started changing, the market slowed way down and builders needed to distinguish themselves from the competition. The cost of heating oil, natural gas and electricity has made everyone think twice about conservation. Now, most feel something has to be done to reduce energy cost and the towns responded.

Long Island is not the first community to mandate ENERGY STAR guidelines into the local building codes, but it is the first to do it on such a large scale. Six of the thirteen towns, on LI have mandated the aggressive energy efficiency and testing into their building codes. Huntington, Hempstead, Brookhaven, Babylon, Riverhead and Oyster Bay have all passed legislation stating that new homes have to pass all the requirements of the ENERGY STAR Labeled Homes Program (ESLH) in order to get a certificate of occupancy.

Make no mistake about it, the ESLH is a major change in almost all aspects of construction. Everything from modeling the plans for energy consumption, framing, insulation, air sealing , HVAC, bath fans, windows , thermostats, lighting and appliances. The builder must then hire a third party verification company also known as a HERS rater. The HERS rater must conduct a series of tests and inspections in which the level of quality far exceed any prior requirements. The goal, although admirable, leads to concerns for builders because the house must pass all series of testing in order to comply with the new regulations. Builders must be made to realize how high the bar has been raised which will demand only the best from their trades.

Energy Conservation has been replaced by the term “energy efficiency” and what’s the difference? Is it just a new way to say “turn down your thermostats”? Conservation is just that, reducing usage, while the term Energy Efficiency is the technology that makes equipment run in ways we could never achieve through conservation. Our homes are a great place to take advantage of such new technology. Such breakthroughs include architectural software that models homes energy consumption at a minimal cost and is done before the house is built. By using building science we take in consideration all factors and are able to see how each component of the house works together.

Heating and cooling represent 50% of our energy cost, because of this ESLH focuses on that aspect of the home. The old adage “ A house must breathe “ approach has become overrated to the point that most non- ESLH homes change their air on a average of once an hour. A little wind into a vented soffit and you’ll see heating systems working constantly during the winter months trying to keep up with the demand. Slowing down the air changes is a low tech way to save energy and increase comfort. Once we slow down the air flow we then look at the heating system itself. In recent years heating and cooling equipment has really changed dramatically and the return on this investment can be within just a few years .

That’s only the beginning. These ENERGY STAR homes are more comfortable with no drafts and a temperature difference of no more than 3 degrees between any room in the house. Air ducts are sized to your new home and are tested to ensure they are not leaking to the attic before getting the right amount of air into each room.

We have only scratched the surface when it comes to how efficient we can make our homes. If you’re lucky enough to purchase a new home, demand a Certified ENERGY STAR Labeled Home. For the rest of us the best money you can spend on your existing home is to have any independent energy assessment done on your home. Preferably a company that is not there to sell you anything , but to give you the right information without prejudice. Choose a consultant whose only task is to bring you comfort and efficiency while keeping your family warm and safe.

In the new world of recession economics where “return on investment “rules, how do all the pushes for green homes make any sense? Well, when it comes to the ENERGY STAR part of the equation which is 60% of LEED or any other green program, it pays in spades. You must go Blue before you can go GREEN. Why?

ESLH program is the first time building science has been applied to residential construction. Building Science is the study of how all the components of a residence react with each other. For example, if we slow down natural air flow (drafts), install in Low E glass windows, increase the R value in the walls, floors and ceilings we can effectively reduced the amount of heating and cooling necessary to keep the house comfortable. Combine this with high efficiency air conditioners and heating systems now we are making a real difference in the operating cost of this house. In the case of “The Bluffs at Eaton’s Neck” where the houses will range between 5,000 and 6,000 square feet these people will enjoy an average savings of $4,000 annually in energy cost above the same house not built to the ESLH guidelines.

If that’s not enough to start building ENERGY STAR the increased comfort levels in these homes are remarkable. The temperature range from one end of the house to the other is no more than three degrees. We control where the fresh air comes into a house with balanced air systems. These systems pull air from bathrooms and kitchens where moisture accumulates and exhaust it outside while drawing outside air and place it into the return ducts for conditioning.

ESLH motto is “Build it tight, ventilate right”

ESLH houses are healthy homes and are tested in ways like never before to make sure all of the components of the house are working according to design. Duct systems are tested for leaks, boilers are tested to ensure they meet design efficiencies. The whole house is tested for drafts. When natural gas is in the house this is tested right to the combustion appliance to ensure no gas leaks happened during installation. Last, but far from least, is reduction in carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides of our sample home in Eaton’s Neck will have an estimated combined reduced carbon footprint of 10 tons annually.

Now how much did all this cost? Well, prices vary from job to job as well as the variables of residential habits such as, what temperatures do you feel comfortable in and run hours of electronics, this makes it difficult to give a true ROI but these improvements rarely add more than $15,000 to the cost of construction. Then minus the cost savings coming from the reduction in air conditioners needed, plus utility rebates and federal tax credits and you are under three years. . As we transform the market place and all these unique practices become common place the prices will come down, therefore further reducing first cost (historically our estimated savings have been 10% higher than actual savings). Now even the biggest skeptics question why we have waited so long to include these changes in our new home construction.

Home Energy Solutions Inc.