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	Energy Efficiency Programs Virginia Sustainable Building Network Earthcraft House RESNET Earthcraft Single Family Earthcraft Multi Family Energy Star Building America PATH Health House LEEDS Green Building The Virginia Sustainable Building Network(VSBN) The Virginia Sustainable Building Network (VSBN) is the only statewide organization that brings together representatives from diverse sectors who are interested in building healthy, energy-efficient, environmentally friendly buildings and sustainable communities. VSBN was incorporated as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in 1995, under the leadership of Karl Bren, who was the Non-Profit Affairs Director of Virginia Housing Development Authority. He assembled a group of individuals, who represented housing, banking, utility, construction, government, and environmental interests, to shape the organization and to develop a program for VSBN that changes the way homes, commercial and institutional buildings, and communities are built in the state. Mission VSBN's mission is to promote environmentally sound — or Green Building — practices for Virginia. These building designs, methods, and materials save energy costs, reduce waste and promote recycling, reduce environmental impacts and exposure to unhealthy substances, strengthen local economies, and contribute to an enhanced quality of life. To accomplish its mission, VSBN : has built a statewide network of Green Building proponents, provides Green Building events and training around the state and region, provides technical assistance on Green Building design and operations, and has created an information clearinghouse and resource directory ENERGY STAR ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. Results are already adding up. Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved enough energy in 2005 alone to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 23 million cars — all while saving $12 billion on their utility bills. For the Home Energy efficient choices can save families about a third on their energy bill with similar savings of greenhouse gas emissions, without sacrificing features, style or comfort. ENERGY STAR helps you make the energy efficient choice. If looking for new household products, look for ones that have earned the ENERGY STAR. They meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and US Department of Energy. If looking for a new home, look for one that has earned the ENERGY STAR. If looking to make larger improvements to your home, EPA offers tools and resources to help you plan and undertake projects to reduce your energy bills and improve home comfort. For Business Because a strategic approach to energy management can produce twice the savings — for the bottom line and the environment — as typical approaches, EPA’s ENERGY STAR partnership offers a proven energy management strategy that helps in measuring current energy performance, setting goals, tracking savings, and rewarding improvements. EPA provides an innovative energy performance rating system which businesses have already used for more than 26,000 buildings across the country. EPA also recognizes top performing buildings with the ENERGY STAR. Earthcraft House EarthCraft House is a green building program that serves as a blueprint for healthy, comfortable homes that reduce utility bills and protect the environment. EarthCraft House is a partnership between the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, Southface, government and industry partners. Building America What is Building America? Building America is a private/public partnership sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy that conducts research to find energy-efficient solutions for new and existing housing that can be implemented on a production basis. What Does Building America Do? Building America conducts systems engineering research to do the following: Produce homes on a community scale that use on average 30% to 90% less energy Integrate onsite power systems leading to "zero-energy" (ZEH) homes that will ultimately produce as much energy as they use by 2020 Help home builders reduce construction time and waste Improve builder productivity Provide new product opportunities to manufacturers and suppliers Implement innovative energy- and material-saving technologies. By using a systems engineering approach to home building, Building America unites segments of the building industry that traditionally work independently of one another. It forms teams of architects, engineers, builders, equipment manufacturers, material suppliers, community planners, mortgage lenders, and contractor trades. Throughout the design and construction process, research participants in Building America projects evaluate the interaction between the building site, envelope, mechanical systems, and energy-use factors. In many uses, cost tradeoffs allow the teams to incorporate energy-saving strategies at no extra cost. Building America research participants agree to: Provide all construction materials and labor for research projects Evaluate their design, business, and construction practices Identify cost savings Re-invest cost savings in improved energy performance and product quality Extend their efforts from discussion of possibilities to development of solutions Use a design, test, redesign, and retest process to resolve technical barriers. The research conducted by Building America teams increases the quality and performance of today's homes and provides valuable information for homes of the future. By supporting industry-driven systems engineering research, the Building America Program provides the feedback required to develop critical "next generation" building systems. The long-term goal of the Building America program is to develop cost-effective systems for homes that can produce as much energy as they use—a zero energy home. Building America Homes have a Number of Advantages Improved comfort—an energy-efficient building envelope reduces temperature fluctuations Reliability—BA homes can be designed to continue functioning even during blackouts Security—a home that produces energy protects its owner from fluctuations in energy prices Environmental sustainability—a BA home saves energy and reduces pollution. Building America Homes Optimize a Variety of Features Climate-specific design Passive solar heating and cooling Natural day lighting Energy-efficient construction Energy-efficient appliances and lighting Solar thermal and solar electric systems About PATH The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) is dedicated to accelerating the development and use of technologies that radically improve the quality, durability, energy efficiency, environmental performance, and affordability of America's housing. PATH is a voluntary partnership between leaders of the homebuilding, product manufacturing, insurance, and financial industries and representatives of Federal agencies concerned with housing. Working together, PATH partners improve new and existing homes and strengthen the technology infrastructure of the United States. HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) coordinates all PATH activities. PD&R manages PATH's budget, strategy, and daily operations. Staff in PD&R's Affordable Housing Research and Technology Division have expertise in various construction systems, housing issues, and technology policies. Because PATH involves many participants from diverse parts of the home building community, PATH seeks guidance from the Industry Committee and other Federal agencies. PATH also works with industry partners to advance housing technology. Why is PATH Needed? Despite the importance of the housing industry to the American economy, there is very little investment in residential technologies. This is especially true of the single-family homes that make up most of America's housing stock. It can take 10 to 25 years for a new housing technology to achieve full market penetration. PATH looks at the issues and barriers related to technology development in the housing industry, and strives for viable cost-effective solutions. How Does PATH Accelerate the Adoption of Housing Technologies? PATH promotes innovation through three key strategies: Identify and reduce barriers that impede innovation, including regulatory barriers. PATH analyzes and prioritizes existing barriers to provide recommendations for overcoming them. Disseminate information to speed the development and adoption of advanced building technologies. To encourage broader diffusion of innovations, PATH provides unbiased, easily accessible information to consumers, builders and manufacturers. Advance housing technology research and foster development of new technology. PATH research focuses on the innovation process and aims to institutionalize sustained investments in housing with public and private funding. We invite you to explore the wealth of resources here, and join us in our efforts to make the affordable, quality About RESNET In April 1995, the National Association of State Energy Officials and Energy Rated Homes of America founded the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) to develop a national market for home energy rating systems and energy efficient mortgages. RESNET's activities are guided by a mortgage industry steering committee composed of the leading national mortgage executives. RESNET is a member of Mortgage Bankers Association of America.

Energy Efficiency Programs