Residential energy efficiency: a model methodology for determining performance outcomes

The current climate of opinion in both the residential and commercial sectors for new and existing building stock gives a prominent role to energy efficiency as a policy tool. Executive and legislative branches of government at both the state and federal levels are considering and adopting policy options to valorize energy efficiency in the service of everything from national security to curbing global warming to creating a green economy. While the authors support this activity, it should be noted that actual evidence regarding the benefits or outcomes of most funding initiatives or policy activity in this area remains difficult to assess meaningfully. This article addresses a vital piece of the energy efficiency puzzle by providing a simple, yet viable, method for assessing actual performance using one well-known and nationally important green building rating system for homes: Energy Star. There is real interest in energy efficiency options since decreased hard costs can benefit both developers and consumers.