Energy Star

Building Green. Living Green.

At Contemporary Homes LLC, we believe the best way to correct a problem is to never create one in the first place. This is especially true when it come to the environment. In other words, the less energy we use, the less resources we use. It's that simple. That's why every Contemporary Home is WisconsinENERGY STAR® certified. In additions, the modular construction process we use has been proven to create the least amount of waste. This means Contemporary Homes create up to 20% less waste than similarly built site homes. By reducing waste and using energy more efficiently, you can help the environment by reducing pollution and conserving our natural resources. All while lowering your monthly energy bills and improving your quality of life.

Features of ENERGY STAR® Qualified New Homes

To earn the ENERGY STAR®, a home must meet guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20–30% more efficient than standard homes.

ENERGY STAR® Label
This label identifies a home as having earned the ENERGY STAR®. With home buyers increasingly interested in green building, energy efficiency is the place to start. That's because the energy used in homes often comes from the burning of fossil fuels at power plants, which contributes to smog, acid rain, and risks of global warming. So, the less energy used, the less air pollution generated. And the easy way to make sure a new home is energy efficient is to look for the blue ENERGY STAR® mark, the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency.

Any home three stories or less can earn the ENERGY STAR® label if it has been verified to meet EPA's guidelines, including: single family, attached, and low-rise multi-family homes; manufactured homes; systems-built homes (e.g., SIP, ICF, or modular construction); log homes, concrete homes; and even existing retrofitted homes.

ENERGY STAR® qualified homes can include a variety of 'tried-and-true' energy-efficient features that contribute to improved home quality and homeowner comfort, and to lower energy demand and reduced air pollution:

1. Effective Insulation
   Properly installed and inspected insulation in floors, walls, and attics ensures even temperatures throughout the house, reduced energy use, and increased comfort.


2. High-Performance Windows
   Energy-efficient windows employ advanced technologies, such as protective coatings and improved frames, to help keep heat in during winter and out during summer. These windows also block damaging ultraviolet sunlight that can discolor carpets and furnishings.


3. Tight Construction and Ducts
   Sealing holes and cracks in the home's "envelope" and in heating and cooling duct systems helps reduce drafts, moisture, dust, pollen, and noise. A tightly sealed home improves comfort and indoor air qualit while reducing utility and maintenance.


4. Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment
   In addition to using less energy to operate, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems can be quieter, reduce indoor humidity, and improve the overall comfort of the home. When properly installed into a tightly sealed home, this equipment won't have to work so hard to heat and cool the home.


5. Efficient Products
   ENERGY STAR® qualified homes may also be equipped with ENERGY STAR® qualified products — lighting fixtures, compact fluorescent bulbs, ventilation fans, and appliances, such as refrigerators, dishwashers, and washing machines.


6. Third-Party Verification
   With the help of independent Home Energy Raters, ENERGY STAR® builder partners, like Westco General Construction, choose the most appropriate energy-saving features for their homes. Additionally, raters conduct on-site testing and inspections to verify the energy efficiency measures, as well as insulation, air tightness, and duct sealing details.