Homes Built for Efficiency

From Xcel Energy

Having been in the housing industry, both Susan and Phil Shirley are pretty darn knowledgeable about energy efficient homes. So, when they purchased their ENERGY STAR® home in Longmont, Colo., they knew that it would meet their standards for building construction, efficiency, and energy savings.

'We're quite pleased with this home, which is important because we both have home offices here,' says Susan. 'During the coldest days this winter we were able to keep our home warm on $6 a day, which we feel is very affordable for a 2,500 square foot home.'

ENERGY STAR® qualified homes are typically 15 to 30 percent more efficient than standard homes built to local code and use substantially less energy for heating, cooling and water heating, delivering up to $500 to $700 in annual savings over standard homes.

A Good Move for You and for the Environment

Move into one of these homes, and not only will you be saving big bucks, you will be making a choice that positively impacts the environment. For example, did you know that one ENERGY STAR® qualified new home can keep 4,500 pounds of greenhouse gases out of the air each year?*

Xcel Energy partners with third parties to provide training consultation, diagnostics testing and ENERGY STAR® Certification for builders. This free program helps builders construct homes that surpass all others in terms of comfort, energy efficiency, moisture control, air quality and durability.

Energy Efficiency from Floor to Ceiling

Xcel Energy works together with partners to ensure the homes are ENERGY STAR® qualified. Typically these homes include the following:

• Effective Insulation -- Properly installed and inspected insulation in floors, walls, and attics ensures even temperatures throughout the house, reduced energy use, and increased comfort.
• High-Performance Windows -- Energy-efficient windows employ advanced technologies, such as protective coatings and improved frames, to help keep heat in during winter and out during summer.
• Tight Construction and Ducts -- Sealing holes and cracks in the home's exterior and in heating and cooling duct systems helps reduce drafts, moisture, dust, pollen, and noise.
• Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment -- In addition to using less energy to operate, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems can be quieter, reduce indoor humidity, and improve the overall comfort of the home.
• Efficient Products -- ENERGY STAR® qualified homes may also be equipped with ENERGY STAR® qualified products --lighting fixtures, compact fluorescent bulbs, ventilation fans, and appliances.
• Third-Party Verification -- With the help of independent Home Energy Raters, ENERGY STAR® builder partners choose the most appropriate energy-saving features for their homes. Additionally, raters conduct onsite testing and inspections to verify energy efficiency measures.

There's an ENERGY STAR® Home Near You

I know your next thought is -- how do I qualify? Your new home must be located in a community within Xcel Energy's residential natural gas service territory in Colorado. Since the inception of the program through Jan 2011, Xcel Energy has worked with Colorado home builders to construct 4,841 energy efficient houses that have qualified as ENERGY STAR® Homes.

Green Home Building in Stapleton

Since 2006, all new homes built in Stapleton are required to meet ENERGY STAR® standards. Prior to 2006, new homes in Stapleton were required to meet the standards of Built Green Colorado. Thanks to this commitment to energy efficiency, HGTV chose to build the 2011 HGTV Green Home in Stapleton.