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Self-Help Builder News June 2012 Volume 5, Issue #2 >
Which Version of Energy Star do I have to meet?
By Art Seavey, RCAC rural development specialist
In Idaho, Montana and Washington, all affordable housing financed through a low-income housing finance agency such as a housing finance agency, department of commerce or SHOP funders (Community Frameworks in WA) must be built to ENERGY STAR standards. The question is: which ENERGY STAR version do you need to use?
If you applied for funding before January 1, 2011 and will build before January 1, 2013, you may use Version 2.
If the application for funding is received between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011, then the homes must earn the ENERGY STAR under the Version 2.5 guidelines if completed before January 1, 2012, and under the Version 3 guidelines if completed after January 1, 2012.
If the application for funding is received on or after January 1, 2012 then the homes must earn the Energy Star under the Version 3 guidelines.[1]
In Oregon, if the housing finance agency received your application before January 1, 2012 AND you complete before January 1, 2013, you may use the ENERGY STAR Version 2.
If the application for funding is received between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012, and the home is completed before January 1, 2013, then the homes must earn the ENERGY STAR under the Version 2.5 guidelines.
Homes completed after January 1, 2013 and applications received on or after January 1, 2013 must use Version 3 guidelines
As always, check with your State Compliance Organization to see which version you must meet.
For more information on which version of Energy Star you need to meet, visit:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=bldrs_lenders_raters.homes_guidelns
[1] Northwest Energy Star Regional verifier forum August 18, 2011