by Ann Withanee — September 2, 2011—Energy efficiency gets another boost from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the announcement that new multifamily high-rise residential buildings are now eligible to qualify under EPA’s Energy Star program. This affords those who have the responsibility to manage those facilities with the opportunity, and necessity, to contribute to sustainability at a grass-roots level.
In addition, property owners have the incentive to increase asset value while offering tenants comfortable homes thanks to Energy Star’s expansion of eligibility to such properties, since the expansion strengthens energy efficiency initiatives across the nation.
To qualify for Energy Star, new or substantially rehabilitated multifamily high-rise buildings must meet energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and be designed to be at least 15 percent more energy efficient than buildings that meet the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers energy use standard. Qualified buildings feature a combination of energy-efficient improvements such as:
- Effective insulation systems
- Properly sized heating and cooling equipment
- Tight construction and ducts
- Energy Star qualified lighting and appliances
- High-performance windows
An independently licensed professional engineer or architect is required to verify that the program’s requirements are met through on-site testing and inspections conducted throughout the construction process. In the past, only single-family homes and units in low-rise multifamily buildings were eligible to earn the Energy Star.
Energy Star was started by EPA in 1992 as a market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the Energy Star label can be found on more than 60 different kinds of products as well as commercial and industrial buildings and new houses that meet strict energy efficiency specifications set by EPA. Last year alone, with the help of Energy Star, Americans reportedly saved about $18 billion on their energy bills while preventing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the annual emissions of 33 million vehicles.
More information on requirements for multifamily high-rise buildings is available from Energy Star.
