Energy Star, 5 Star Plus Rating

 

A 5 STAR Plus is the highest rating available in the Energy Star Program.   At The Woodlands At Austin Lake, we have all of our condominiums certified as Energy Star and have always achieved the 5 Star Plus Rating.  

 

A condo that earns the ENERGY STAR rating is significantly more energy efficient than a standard home or condo. By purchasing an ENERGY STAR qualified condo, you can have all the features you desire in your new condo, plus better performance and lower utility bills.

 

At Consumers Energy’s Excellence in Energy Efficiency 2017 Awards Banquet, we received an award for the condos we built at The Woodlands At Austin Lake!   

 

WHAT MAKES A HOME ENERGY STAR?

 

Homes that earn the ENERGY STAR are significantly more energy efficient than standard homes built to today’s energy codes.  We achieve this high efficiency for you by providing a variety of features and procedures in our building process:

 

1. TIGHT CONSTRUCTION AND DUCTWORK – Advanced techniques for sealing holes and cracks in the home’s “envelope” and in heating and cooling ducts help reduce drafts, moisture, dust, pollen, pests, and noise. A tightly sealed home improves comfort and indoor air quality while lowering utility and maintenance costs.  In addition, tightly sealed homes need a correct amount of fresh air delivered to the interior to assure that there is enough fresh are to keep the interior air quality optimal for a healthy home.   This amount of fresh air varies depending on the size, use and other factors.  Each condo’s needs are calculated and the correct amount is verified.

2. INSULATION SYSTEMS – Properly installed and inspected insulation in walls, basements and attics helps provide even temperatures throughout the house, while using less energy. The result is lower utility costs and a quieter, more comfortable home.

3. ENERGY EFFICIENT HVAC EQUIPMENT – An energy efficient, properly installed heating, cooling and ventilation system uses less energy to operate, which reduces your utility bills.

4. HIGH PERFORMANCE WINDOWS – Energy-efficient windows employ advanced technologies, such as protective coatings, argon gas between the panes and improved frame assemblies, to help keep heat in during the winter and out during the summer. These windows also help block damaging ultraviolet sunlight that can discolor carpets and furnishings.

5. EFFICIENT APPLIANCES AND DEVICES – Your condo is also be equipped with ENERGY STAR qualified products such as lighting fixtures, compact florescent and LED bulbs, ventilation fans, and appliances, that offer additional energy savings.

6. INDEPENDENT TESTING – While it’s easy to claim that homes are energy efficient, the ENERGY STAR rating requires verification by an independent Home Energy Rater. The rater conducts on-site inspections during the building process and testing when the condo is completed, to verify the performance of the energy efficiency features in your home.

 

LOWER OWNERSHIP COST – Compared with standard construction, ENERGY STAR qualified homes use less energy for heating, cooling, and water heating- delivering hundreds of dollars in annual savings.

 

HELPING TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT – Energy used in our homes often comes from the burning of fossil fuels at power plants.  Greater energy efficiency helps us all make the most of our energy resources, helps lessen the impact of high energy prices, lowers our reliance on energy imports, and reduces the emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollution.