This year will bring plenty of changes to the Energy Star program, including implementation of Version 3 of its New Homes program. Under the new guidelines, most of which became mandatory on Jan. 1 (the rest kick in after July 1), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires the HVAC systems in all homes that earn the Energy Star label be installed according to the Quality Installation (QI) guidelines established in ANSI/ACCA Standard 5 QI.
Other changes taking effect in 2012 include new requirements for Energy Star qualified furnaces and geothermal heat pumps, which are among 20 revisions to product requirements expected to be completed this year. All these new requirements are a part of Energy Star’s stated goal of protecting people’s health and the environment by encouraging energy efficiency.