ENERGY STAR Eligibility & Your Home

When the colder months arrive in the Twin Cities metro region, you may already be feeling the heat in more ways than one when it comes to your monthly energy costs.

If you’re spending more than you should be on your monthly energy bills, our home exterior contractors at Powers Premier Contracting are here to help. One way homeowners are saving on their energy costs is through the Department of Energy ENERGY STAR program, which incentivizes energy-efficient home features.

To help you become familiar with the ENERGY STAR program, we’ve put together this helpful post that breaks down the program and its recommendations. Give us a call to learn more about how Powers Premier can help you with ENERGY STAR savings today.

What Is ENERGY STAR?

ENERGY STAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency and is a joint venture of the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), forming a public-private partnership.

It is designed to help homeowners and business owners make informed decisions on energy usage. The blue ENERGY STAR label provides quick, reliable, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses can use to make more knowledgeable decisions.

Thousands of organizations—including nearly 40% of the Fortune 500®—partner with ENERGY STAR. Together with EPA, they deliver cost-saving energy efficiency solutions that protect the climate, improve air quality, and protect public health.

The aim of this program is ultimately to reduce energy use and its impact on climate change and air quality. Since the 1990s, the ENERGY STAR program has helped business owners and families save more than 4 trillion kilowatt-hours of energy.

How Does ENERGY STAR Work?

ENERGY STAR is a voluntary labeling program: the EPA sets energy efficiency specifications, and those that meet them can choose to display the ENERGY STAR logo. In turn, consumers and businesses who want to save energy and money can look for the ENERGY STAR label when making buying decisions.

Since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its thousands of partners have helped American families and businesses save 5 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity, avoid more than $500 billion in energy costs, and achieve 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions.

A home exterior contractor who’s familiar with ENERGY STAR can help you assess your home’s energy usage and make customized recommendations for energy savings.

Check out these ENERGY STAR fast facts:

There are over 2.4 million homes and apartments certified with the Energy Star label in the United States
In 2020, the ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction program helped homeowners save 3 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, avoid $390 million in energy costs, and achieve 4 million metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions.
ENERGY STAR residential new construction and ENERGY STAR-certified homes and apartments are at least 10% more energy efficient than those built to code and achieve a 20% improvement on average while providing homeowners and residents with better quality, performance, and comfort.
Nearly 3,000 builders, developers, and manufactured housing plants are ENERGY STAR partners, including all of the nation’s twenty largest home builders.

The EPA also provides trusted guidance and online tools to help homeowners make smart decisions about improving the energy efficiency of their existing homes.

ENERGY STAR Tax Credits

New ENERGY STAR federal income tax credits are available through 2032, providing up to $3,200 annually to lower the cost of energy-efficient home upgrades by up to 30 percent.

Installing insulation, doors, and windows.
Home energy audits are covered by the tax credits and can help families save money on their monthly energy bills for years to come.

The cap on tax credits varies depending on the product your exterior contractors are installing.

Windows & Doors

Replacement doors and windows can add to your home’s energy savings while making your home more comfortable at the same time. In order to qualify, you do not need to replace every window in your home.

In addition, new window installation also qualifies if the product is ENERGY STAR certified. This tax credit covers up to ten percent of the overall cost and does not include installation expenses.

Insulation

One of the most effective and efficient home improvements you can invest in is energy-efficient insulation. The goal is to reduce air leaks by creating an airtight seal around your home.

Bulk insulation products, including spray foam insulation and traditional insulation, typically qualify for this tax credit.

Benefits of ENERGY STAR in Your Home

According to the EPA, ENERGY STAR-certified new homes are at least 15 percent more energy efficient than homes built to current code and include additional features that typically make them 20–30 percent more efficient than standard new homes. Other benefits include improved indoor air, homeowner comfort, and lower energy bills.

The most important investments include upgrading attic insulation, crawl space floor insulation, and rim joist insulation to improve the home’s R-value. The R-value is a measure of heat transfer between the home’s exterior and interior.

The EPA’s energy science contractors estimate that a knowledgeable home insulation contractor can achieve a 25% reduction in air infiltration by sealing leaks throughout a home. Up here in the Twin Cities region, we see some of the most significant savings in the country, owing in part to our cold climate, local construction, and the type of energy we use.

If you’re thinking of evaluating your home’s energy performance but you’re concerned about budgeting for your home improvements, we can help you make a long-term energy plan. The beauty of ENERGY STAR products is that in addition to energy savings, you’ll also see an increased ROI when it’s time to sell your home.

Contact Experienced Minnetonka Contractors

Your home is your most important investment. By making ENERGY STAR investments today, you’re investing not only in your home but in the future of our planet. There’s never been a better time to save on your energy bills!

If you’re ready to take advantage of ENERGY STAR savings, call to connect with our exterior remodeling contractors at 612-710-7283 or contact us online for a free estimate.