The Builders Challenge is a high-performance housing recognition initiative led by the
U.S. Department of Energy
The United States Department of Energy (DOE) is an executive department of the U.S. federal government that oversees U.S. national energy policy and energy production, the research and development of nuclear power, the military's nuclear we ...
(DOE)
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is an office within the United States Department of Energy. Formed from other energy agencies after the 1973 energy crisis, EERE is led by the Assistant Secretary of Energy Efficiency an ...
through its Building Technologies Program.
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Description
The voluntary program with incentives was announced by the DOE on 14 February 2008. Through the Builders Challenge, participating homebuilders can more easily differentiate their high energy-performance homes from other less energy-efficient products in the marketplace by means of a standardized energy rating system.
"Best energy-performing" is defined by the DOE as scoring 70 or lower on the EnergySmart Home Scale (E-Scale), that is, at least 30 percent more efficient than a typical home built per the 2004
International Energy Conservation Code The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) is a building code created by the International Code Council in 2000. It is a model code adopted by many states and municipal governments in the United States for the establishment of minimum design ...
.
The Builders Challenge aims for 1.3 million homes scoring 70 or lower to be constructed by 2030 thereby saving $1.7 billion in energy costs per DOE estimate.
"DOE's ultimate vision is that, by 2030, a consumer will have the opportunity to buy an affordable
net zero
Global net-zero emissions is reached when greenhouse gas emissions and removals due to human activities are in balance. It is often called simply net zero. ''Emissions'' can refer to all greenhouse gases or only carbon dioxide (). Reaching net ze ...
energy home (NZEH) anywhere in the United States - a grid-connected home that, over the course of a year, produces as much energy as it uses."
Builders can meet the Challenge through any one of three different pathways: performance, prescriptive, or partner/HERS provider.
The Builders Challenge Quality Criteria and Technology Information Packets (followed under the prescriptive path) are based on over a decade of Building America's building science R&D. Both the Builders Challenge and the Building America programs advance the ability to build cost-effective net zero and high performance homes.
Requirements for builders to meet the Builders Challenge at energy.gov.
Information for individuals interested becoming a Builders Challenge third-party verifier is also available at the site.
EnergySmart Home Scale
The
EnergySmart Home Scale The EnergySmart Home Scale (E-Scale) is a standard applied to homes in the USA that meet the Builders Challenge program requirements. The E-Scale visually shows the energy performance of the labeled home. Homes need to score a 70 or less on the E-S ...
provides a visible means of comparing the overall energy-efficiency of homes, analogous to fuel-economy ratings on new motor vehicles or
Energy Star
Energy Star (trademarked ENERGY STAR) is an Efficient energy use, energy-efficiency program established in 1992. It is administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The EPA ...
ratings on major electrical appliances. Homes that meet or exceed the minimum standards of Builders Challenge receive an E-Scale sunburst sticker, alerting prospective buyers or renters to the home's energy performance. For example, a 64 on the E-Scale indicates the home is approximately 36 percent more energy efficient than a typical new home built to code. "Builders may place the E-Scale on or near the home's electric panel to show potential homeowners the energy performance achieved by that particular home or model."
Dual certification
The Builders Challenge program has formed partnerships with the nation's leading green home labeling programs.
* National Green Building Standard homes can qualify for both programs using the free online Green Scoring Tool
*
EarthCraft House has aligned their Gold-level certification to meet the Builders Challenge.
* LEED for Homes
* Environments for Living
See also
*
EnergySmart Home Scale The EnergySmart Home Scale (E-Scale) is a standard applied to homes in the USA that meet the Builders Challenge program requirements. The E-Scale visually shows the energy performance of the labeled home. Homes need to score a 70 or less on the E-S ...
References
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External links
Building Technologies Office
Energy conservation in the United States