Utah Energy Update
Utah Energy Conservation Coalition
Energy Rated Homes of Utah
3rd Quarter FY 2005-6/Vol 10:3
In This Issue –
InsideContents:
this issue:
1. Energy Star Homes –
Guidelines 2006
2. Energy Star Fact
Sheets
3. 2 Simple Energy
Savings Tips
4. Is there a “Doctor” in
the House?
5. Money from Uncle
Sam
6. EPACT 2005
UECC/ERHU
112 S Mountain Way Drive
Orem, Utah 84058-5118
Phone: 801-765-0034
Or
800-550-8322
Email:
[email protected]
Energy STAR Homes – Guidelines 2006
Attention All Energy Star Builders in Utah -- A revised set of Energy Star
Guidelines has been established for 2006. For your information effective
January 2006, the EPA is working to provide for a smooth transition for
many of the existing partners and participants in the program. The EPA has
revised the implementation timeline for the new guidelines as follows:
All new homes must be qualified to earn the ENERGY STAR using the new
guidelines, unless they are:

Enrolled in a utility or state-based efficiency program by December
31, 2005, OR

Permitted (signed & stamped by local municipality) by July 1, 2006.
All new homes meeting these conditions can continue to be labeled with
existing guidelines. However, all homes that earn the ENERGY STAR label
on or after January 1, 2007 must use the new guidelines. This is visually
presented below:
It is important to note that the upcoming change in Air Conditioner SEER
values (increasing the minimum SEER from 10 to 13) will also have implications for all HERS
scores regardless of these new guidelines. This is because builders currently achieving energy
savings from installing air conditioners that exceed 10 SEER will now only be able to realize
energy savings when exceeding 13 SEER.
Builders should work with their HERS Rater (please visit http://utahenergy.org/raters.html for a
listing of Raters in Utah or you may call us at 801-765-0034 for additional contact information)
to identify the energy efficiency improvements that may be needed to achieve the 15% savings
above the 2003 IECC (Utah Energy Code) when qualifying homes as ENERGY STAR during
the stated grandfathered period of switching to the new guidelines. To view more changes and
details, you may go to the EPA website at: www.energystar.gov/homes, or visit our web-site at:
www.utahenergystar.org. Confusing? Yes, at first it may seem that way. In order to help clarify
these changes, the Coalition has posted several Fact Sheets on our web site
(www.utahenergystar.org) dealing specifically with these upcoming changes to the Energy Star
Program.
New ENERGY STAR Fact Sheets
In light of the dramatic changes that that are
taking place in the EPA Energy Star program,
and in order to continue to provide up-to-date
information and resources regarding energy
efficiency and conservation issues throughout the
Intermountain West, the Coalition has developed
some specific Fact Sheets addressing some of the
various components of the new EPA Energy Star
Program. They are easily accessed through the
Internet at: www.utahenergystar.org. Or you can
request them directly by calling this office during
normal working hours (whatever that may be!).
These Utah Specific Fact Sheets are:
 Energy Star Program
 National Builder Option Package (BOP)
 National Performance Path Requirements
 Codes & Standards Information
 Thermal Bypass Inspection Checklist
2 Simple Energy Saving Tips
Winter is here. Our use of energy increases, as
well as the cost of power. Here are a few tips that
should help you help conserve energy while still
living in a comfortable and affordable
environment. According to a study completed by
the Pennsylvania State University, 14.9% of all
energy consumption in a home is used towards
heating water. The average temperature for most
water heaters found in homes is 140 degrees F. If
lowered to 120 degrees F, it cuts back on energy
use and still provides sufficient amount of hot
water. You should see results on your next bill.
UPCOMING EVENTS
HOME ENERGY RATER TRAINING
January 23-27, 2006
March 13-17, 2006
May 15-19, 2006
August 14-18, 2006
October 16-20, 2006
Details about these Training Sessions will be posted on
our website www.utahenergy.org
All training will be held at our offices in Utah, at:
112 S. Mountain Way Drive, Orem, Utah.
Phone or email us if you have any questions
801-765-0034 or [email protected].
Around The Office
Board of Trustees:
Bernell Loveridge
President
Marci Milligan
Vice President
Bob Stackhouse
Secretary/Treasurer
Jerry Zenger
Trustee
Allen Gardner
Trustee
Staff:
David A Wilson
Executive Officer
Cris Peterson
HERS Coordinator
Mark Eldredge
Energy Code Specialist
_______________
Admin. Asst/Office Secretary
Ben Belk
Field Inspector
Bryan Taylor
Home Energy Rater
Sponsor:
DOW Chemical & Insulation
DOW Chemical is one of the nation’s leaders in
energy efficient products designed to help lower
energy costs and increase the comfort of its
consumers. Mike Beck is the local rep for DOW. He
can be reached at: [email protected] or 801.589.3421
Another tip is to use a programmable thermostat.
Thank you for your support now and in the future!
When used properly, they can help you save
Would you like to be a Sponsor? Contact David at the
Coalition ([email protected]) to find out the details
$100 a year on energy bills. These units save
and benefits associated with being a Sponsor.
energy by offering pre-programmed settings that
allow you to scale back on heating or cooling
when desired. And if you work outside the home during the day a programmable thermostat can
offer you many benefits and the return on your investment is usually within 1 year. A
programmable thermostat is also better for the environment, since using less energy helps reduce
greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy production. Energy prices are on the rise, and
steeper prices are projected for the next five to seven years. Learn now how to avoid paying high
bills, and conserve energy.
Is There a “Doctor” in the House?
Winter is here. Are you feeling the “heat’ of high energy bills? Maybe it’s time to call a doctor to
make a house call for your house! Today’s home energy specialists (Energy Auditors, Home
Energy Raters, & Home Performance Contractors) are nationally trained and accredited to be
your “Energy Doctor” and go beyond the simple checklist audits of yesterday and now are
trained to run a full diagnostic analysis of your house top to bottom inside and out.
Home Energy Raters of today provide a thorough assessment of your house as a system and are
required to participate in a nationally recognized quality assurance program and continual
education and training in order to help you determine the best course of action specific to your
house. They truly are Energy Doctors and professionals working to provide you with energy
value. They can provide you with the individual energy prescription needed to help you address
your energy illnesses!
Some common tests that they may use include a blower door test that is used to determine the
air-tightness of your home and locate drafts & leaks in the building envelope; a duct blaster test
to determine whether your ducts are leaky and how well they move air throughout your house.
They may even use an infrared camera to see if there are any major thermal deficiencies in the
house. These individuals are independent business people and are able to also provide you with
independent 3rd party verification that any energy improvement work is done properly. You’ll
feel good to know that their prescriptions are working for you and that you’ve maximized your
comfort and energy savings.
Money from Uncle Sam – Energy Efficiency Matters!
Many of you may have already heard about the new Energy Policy Act of 2005 that was signed
into law by President Bush last August. But, do you know about the financial benefits that are
part of this act for new home construction and home rehab that take affect now? The new law
provides for tax credits (not tax refunds) for such energy conservation measures as higher
insulation levels, better performing windows, as well as more efficient HVAC systems. The law
offers homebuilders a tax credit of up to $2,000 for homes that reduce energy usage for heating
and cooling only (this does NOT take into account water heating) by 50% when compared to the
2003 IECC Supplement. Homeowners can also take part and receive a tax credit of 15% (up to a
maximum of $500.00) of the amount paid for energy efficient improvements and/or products.
These tax credits could give home builders a more competitive edge in the growing housing
marketplace in Utah. The Office of the Treasury and the IRS have recently development a
methodology on how to document these savings that is very simple and straightforward (similar
to the process currently in place for Home Energy Ratings). We have developed a detailed Fact
Sheet to help explain this new law. Log onto our site (www.utahenergy.org) to electronically
access this Fact Sheet, or you may request it via email: [email protected].
New Coalition Sponsor – DOW Chemical
The Utah Energy Conservation Coalition is proud to announce a new Corporate Sponsor for
2006. DOW Chemical (with Mike Beck as the Intermountain sales representative. Mike can be
reached via phone at: 801.598.3421 or via email at: [email protected]) has recently signed up to
our first Sponsor of 2006. To help consumers save money and energy, DOW Chemical has
helped sponsor a new national energy efficiency campaign, “The Power is in Your Hands.”
As natural gas prices in the United States and elsewhere skyrocket to record highs and
temperatures sink to winter lows, many consumers are worried about their energy bills. In the
U.S. alone, households could spend 25 percent more than last year unless something is done.
One solution? Use less energy.
“The Power is in Your Hands” energy campaign is designed to do just that – help the U.S.
consumers reduce energy use and thus energy prices in the long run.
“The Power is in Your Hands.” Campaign is designed to:
 Arm consumers with information and tools to manage their home energy bills
 Inform them about the connection between household energy use and energy prices
 Inspire them to use energy efficiency to reduce their energy and thereby enhance the
nation's energy security
"For nearly a century, DOW has been an industry leader in energy efficiency, and now we are
pleased to team up with the Alliance to Save Energy, supporting efforts to reduce demand for
U.S. natural gas and promote sustainable energy solutions," said Andrew Liveris, president and
CEO of DOW Chemical Company. "There is a natural gas crisis in this country, and resolving it
will require a balanced and comprehensive solution to both reduce energy demand and increase
the supply of American energy. Focusing on energy efficiency is the best near-term action that
all consumers can take to help address the skyrocketing cost of natural gas." Liveris commented.
You can find fast and easy ways to cut energy costs on the campaign Web site,
(http://www.powerisinyourhands.org/). Simple steps like using fluorescent light bulbs or
installing a programmable thermostat can provide immediate savings. Plus, adding insulation and
air-sealing a home can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 20 percent.
“High energy and heating prices are increasingly affecting all sectors of society, so focusing on
efficiency is an imperative for all energy consumers,” said Gordon Slack, energy business
director at DOW. “This campaign represents an excellent opportunity for everyone to be part of
the solution.”
While resolving U.S. and global energy issues for the long term will require a balanced and
comprehensive solution, focusing on energy efficiency for the near term is something everyone
can do right away to make a difference. The Coalition is grateful to have DOW Chemical as a
sponsor of energy efficiency and conservation in the state of Utah.
Energy Rated Homes of Utah
Congratulations to Energy Rated homes of Utah. At the conclusion of 2005,
they have reached a milestone in the Home Energy Rating industry. ERHU
has now been working with builders in Utah for over 10 years!
In the ever changing building and construction industry it is comforting to know that Energy
Rated Homes of Utah has the stability and expertise to continue to serve the state of Utah (and
the Intermountain West) with professionalism and a strong commitment to quality and service. In
2005 alone, ERHU was able to complete over 1200 Home Energy Ratings in the state of Utah.
They truly are your “Residential Energy Specialists.”
Besides being in business for over 10 years, what are the benefits of doing business with ERHU?
 Over 4000 new homes in Utah certified as EPA Energy Star Homes
 Nationally accredited as a Home Energy Rater Training & Rater Provider
 Individually tailored Value Based Service & Consulting provided on all work
Congratulations to ERHU for this accomplishment. Call 1.800.550.8322 or 801.765.0034 and
talk with Cris or Mark to find out how ERHU can help you become more energy efficient!