An ENERGY STAR home certified through the Southwest Gas program provides all the features and amenities you want in a new home, while at the same time conserving energy. These homes have tighter construction, improved insulation, tightly-sealed ducts and advanced design windows. In addition, they have high-efficiency heating, water heating and cooling.

What is ENERGY STAR?
ENERGY STAR is a program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. ENERGY STAR means that a new home is significantly more energy efficient than a standard home. To qualify for ENERGY STAR certification, a builder must meet stringent standards of construction and qualifying homes must be inspected and certified by an independent company.

www.energystar.gov

Tight Construction
Advanced techniques for sealing homes, cracks in the home’s exterior shell and in the heating and cooling ducts help reduce drafts, moisture, dust, pollen, pests, and noise. Superior framing techniques eliminate the air infiltration that typically occurs in standard homes. Penetrations of wiring plumbing and ductwork are tightly sealed, too, so insulation can perform at its best.

Tight Ductwork
Tightly sealed ducts are crucial for maintaining a home’s comfort and energy efficiency. In typical American homes, ducts leak 20-30 percent of the air moving through them. This means conditioned air is being lost, and extra money is being spent to heat or cool your home. In ENERGY STAR homes, there is very little duct leakage.

Energy Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment
With the increased attention given to air and duct sealing, insulation and windows, the size of a home’s heating and cooling system can be better matched to the home’s needs. This means more efficient operation, and lower energy costs. With ENERGY STAR, you’ll know your home has top-quality natural gas heating equipment paired with high-efficiency air conditioning. This combination is best for year-round high performance and maximum energy savings.

Improved Insulation
For insulation to provide an effective air barrier, it must be installed carefully with no gaps, crimping, or compression, as these can allow unwanted heat exchange between the outside and inside. With properly installed insulation, air leakage is minimized and your conditioned air stays where it’s supposed to be, inside your home.

Advanced Design Windows
Windows typically represent 10-25 percent of a home’s exterior wall area, and account for 25-50 percent of the heating and cooling needs. Advanced design windows help keep heat out during the summer, and in during the winter. They also block damaging ultraviolet sunlight that can discolor your carpets, paintings and furnishings.

Independent Testing
While it’s easy to claim that homes are energy efficient, ENERGY STAR home builders back up that claim with third-party inspections that verify they are in compliance with ENERGY STAR specification.

For locations and information call Southwest Gas at 1-800-654-2765.