A Label Backed by the Government:

• All Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes are certified by an independent third party to meet EPA's strict guidelines for energy efficiency.

Lower Utility Costs:

• Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes use substantially less energy for heating, cooling, and water heating. Homeowners can expect to save about $200 - $400 annually on their utility bills.

Increased Comfort:

• The energy-efficient features of Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes keep out excessive heat, cold, and noise; and ensure consistent temperatures between and across rooms - making these homes more comfortable to live in.

A Better Future:

• Millions of consumers who have purchased an Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Home are helping to reduce our nation's energy needs and building a cleaner environment for the future.
  
  

Medford's first ENERGY STAR home went up on Pine Street last week. The home is owned by Tracy and Margo Swedlund and is a Stratford Home built by Contemporary Homes of Medford.

Most people are aware of the ENERGY program through the incentives it provides for people to purchase energy efficient products. In many cases, rebates are offered which make the energy efficient appliances competitive to other appliances. What some people are unaware of is that the Energy Star program also includes houses.

According to Wisconsin Focus on Energy studies, the typical ENERGY STAR home is both more efficient and more durable than other types of home construction. The difference between standard homes and ENERGY STAR homes is in the attention to detail, explained Dale Bates of Badgerland Home Inspections. Bates is an independent inspector contracted by Wisconsin Focus on Energy to make sure that ENERGY STAR homes are built according to the strict requirements of the program. The requirements go above and beyond the uniform dwelling code requirements enforced in the state and include mandatory carbon monoxide detectors, ventilation capacity testing, draft free construction and professional installation of insulation. As a result, he said the homes are on average 25 percent more efficient than other types of construction.

Bates was quick to note that unlike the high-insulation houses built in the past which had moisture and mold problems, the ENERGY STAR houses focus on providing adequate ventilation which works to make the house healthy as well as efficient.

In his experience, Bates noted that ENERGY STAR certified houses stand up to wear better than other types of construction because of the required attention to detail. While the ENERGY STAR certification is slow in coming to northern Wisconsin, it has taken off in the southern and eastern portions of the state and has been very competitive.