Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced the introduction of ENERGY STAR® NextGen™ Certified Homes and Apartments, a new voluntary certification program for residential new construction. The program, developed with funding from President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, aims to boost national energy and emissions savings by promoting advanced, energy-efficient technologies.
"EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan highlighted the significance of this initiative, stating, 'By collaborating with developers and home builders nationwide, ENERGY STAR NextGen is set to act as a catalyst for the construction of new, energy-efficient homes and apartment buildings.'"
ENERGY STAR NextGen certification will focus on increased energy efficiency, reduced on-site emissions, and features like electric cooking appliances and residential electric vehicle charging. Homes meeting the certification standards are expected to be 20% more efficient than typical code-level construction, leading to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Early adopters of the ENERGY STAR NextGen specification include companies like Beazer Homes, GreenSmith Builders, New Tradition Homes, Quantum Equities, LLC, and Thrive Home Builders. Various utilities have also announced incentives for builders to comply with the new standards, such as EmPOWER Maryland and Xcel Energy.
The EPA emphasized the importance of energy efficiency in buildings, noting that they account for a substantial portion of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The ENERGY STAR NextGen certification is seen as a key contributor to reducing emissions significantly by encouraging the use of efficient, electric technologies.
"Learn more about the ENERGY STAR NextGen certification."
ENERGY STAR is a well-known symbol for energy efficiency, offering reliable information for consumers and businesses. Since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners have helped save billions in energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To date, millions of energy-efficient homes and apartments have earned ENERGY STAR certification, with a notable percentage of new U.S. homes earning the ENERGY STAR label last year.
