The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a Request for Information (RFI) on Tuesday, June 8, 2010 inviting interested parties to submit comments that will help to develop a National Energy Rating Program for Homes. This rating program will offer consumers easy-to-understand, reliable information about the energy performance of existing homes, and help them identify cost-effective energy efficiency investments for their homes.
Even though home energy retrofits are good investments that save families money, consumers often do not have the straightforward information on a home’s energy use that they need to decide whether to retrofit their homes and what investments make the most sense. This national program will enable consumers to access additional information about their home’s energy use. It will facilitate a new level of investment in home energy efficiency by developing a consistent way of measuring a home’s energy performance and a clear method for conveying information to consumers. Greater investment in home energy retrofits will create jobs, save homeowners money on their energy bills, help avoid emissions of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants, and improve energy security. The program is meant to complement existing home retrofit efforts, such as Home Performance with ENERGY STAR, weatherization, and other state and local energy efficiency initiatives.