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What's your home's MPG?

Soon homes can have a label that displays the home's energy efficiency much like the energy guide label on appliances or the MPG labels on the windows of new cars. 

Being introduced this spring by the Department of Energy [DOE], the E-Scale was developed as a tool for "consumers to better understand the value and compare performance of homes, even across different models and square footage."

Builders may place the E-Scale on or near the home's electric panel to show potential homeowners the energy performance achieved by that particular home or model.

The E-Scale is based on the well-established Home Energy Rating System (HERS) index, developed by RESNET, the Residential Energy Services Network and helps homebuyers and homeowners make smart energy decisions when purchasing, renting, or updating a home. It is designed to provide clear, objective answers to basic questions:

  • Will this home help me save money on energy bills?
  • How many "miles per gallon" does this home get?
  • How does it compare to a typical new home?
  • How close is it to the "ultimate" – a Net-Zero Energy Home?

Real world example:  LEEDing Edge is projected to have a 61 on the E-Scale which is approximately 40% more energy efficient than a typical new home built to code.

Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at 10:39PM by Registered CommenterBurke Sisco in | Comments1 Comment

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Reader Comments (1)

Looks like the greener you go the slower you go!
Yes, I do know that getting closer to 0 is better so slowing down energy consumption is good!

www.sustainword.com
January 15, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterMatt Hoots

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