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Energy Star opens up for multi-unit residential buildings
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently added multi-family high-rise residential buildings to their list of eligible projects for the ENERGY STAR Program. The program is available to both new and substantially rehabilitated multi-family high-rise (MFHR) buildings that achieve energy efficiencies that are at least 15% better than those MFHR buildings built to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 90.1-2007.
The ENERGY STAR program covers both buildings and products, and helps to significantly reduce utility costs. Last year alone, Americans saved $18 billion on energy bills through the ENERGY STAR program, including savings achieved through ENERGY STAR qualified buildings. The types of improvements that can be employed toward achieving the ENERGY STAR seal include:
- Effective insulation systems
- Properly sized heating and cooling equipment
- Tight construction and ducts
- Energy Star qualified lighting and appliances
- High–performance windows
There are two types of buildings eligible under the multi-family high-rise residential building category.
- Building Type 1: New construction or substantially rehabilitated multi-family buildings with 5 or more dwelling units and 4 or 5 stories. Additionally, the building must either have a central heating, cooling, or hot water system OR be occupied by dwelling units to less than 80% of occupiable residential square footage.
- Building Type 2: New construction or substantially rehabilitated multi-family buildings with 5 or more dwelling units and 6 stories.
Projects interested in achieving the ENERGY STAR qualification must have onsite inspections and tests completed by licensed professionals. Results of the tests must be submitted via specific documents to demonstrate how the project has met program requirements.
