 
Thank you for your interest in the APS Energy Star Homes Program. Following is basic program information and requirements to assist in evaluating the benefits of the APS Energy Star Homes Program for your next subdivision.
APS Energy Star Homes Program Requirements
Homes that qualify for the APS Energy Star Homes Program, must be compliant and certified as an EPA Energy Star Home (2006 standards). Plus include fresh air ventilation and pressure balancing.
EPA Energy Star Requirements:
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The Thermal Bypass Checklist is the building science piece of the EPA's Energy Star program. Homes must be sample inspected (1:7 by an independent inspector) for all items listed on the checklist.
In addition to the requirements on the Thermal Bypass Checklist, the home must meet the energy efficiency requirements by being rated using the Performance Path or components selected using the Builder Options Package.
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The Performance Path entails each plan's building envelope and components being entered into a software program by a rater to determine the home's score. The score required to qualify for Energy Star is 85 or below. (The homes are at least 15 percent more energy efficient than homes built to the I-codes).
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APS Energy Star Homes Programs Additional Requirements:
- Fresh air ventilation- A whole house fresh air ventilation system shall be included that provides outside air at a minimum rate of 7.5 cubic feet per minute (cfm) per person plus .01 cfm per square foot of conditioned floor area. Persons per home shall be calculated using the sum of the number of bedrooms plus 1. Outside air requirements shall not exceed the minimum rate requirement by more than 10 percent unless accounted for in the designed load calculations. Outside air supplied by supply-only or balanced ventilation systems shall be filtered and shall include a manual damper or other means of control.
- Room pressure balancing- All rooms within the conditioned space - except bath and laundry - shall not exceed +/- 3 Pascals pressure differential with respect to the outside when interior doors are closed and the air handler is operating. Additional returns, transfer grilles, or jump ducts may be needed to balance each room.
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Raters/Inspectors:
APS does neither the plan rating nor the independent testing and inspecting of the homes under construction.
Raters can review your plans to ensure that you have the requirements of the Thermal Bypass Checklist incorporated as well as determine the individual plan scores (85 or less needed to meet EPA's Energy Star Rating).
The raters/inspectors also provide inspection services according to the EPA's testing and inspection protocol.
You can locate certified independent raters/inspectors through the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET)
RESNET-Select 'Arizona' from the drop-down menu and then look under "Rating Providers".
Several local Arizona raters/inspectors familiar with the APS Energy Star Homes Program requirements are listed below:
These companies are Home Builders Association of Central Arizona (HBACA) members.
For further information contact:
Sandy Lockard
APS Sr. Account Representative
(602) 250-3455
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