By Wendy Koch, USA TODAY, December 4, 2009
The number of homes winning the government’s Energy Star designation since the program began in 1995 has crossed the 1 million mark. Despite an overall housing slump, 75,000 have been added so far this year for a total of 1,024,200.
Last year, Energy Star homes accounted for nearly 17% of all single-family homes built, up from 12% in 2007.
The Energy Star label means a house is at least 20% more energy-efficient than other new homes.
“They are better homes,” with more efficient windows, lighting, appliances, insulation, heating and cooling, says Maria Vargas of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program.
Read on: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/2009-12-03-green-house-energy-star-new-homes_N.htm