Why ENERGY STAR? An ENERGY STAR qualified new home performs better for the homeowner and the environment thanks to a variety of energy-efficiency features. Home buyers enjoy better performance, greater comfort, and lower utility bills. Learn more about ENERGY STAR homes.

• Qualifying housing types include single-family detached, single-family attached, low-rise multifamily, and existing-home renovations.
• To earn ENERGY STAR qualification, a home must meet guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Qualifying homes are a least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the current International Energy Conservation Code, with Florida modifications, and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20-30% more efficient than standard homes.
• The qualifying home's ENERGY STAR status is certified to a statewide database maintained by the Florida Solar Energy Center.
• Rebate Eligibility: The home must be served by City of Tallahassee Electric, utilize natural gas for water heating, and achieve ENERGY STAR qualification under current guidelines.
  • If natural gas is unavailable, and gas main extension to the site is denied by the City's Gas Utility, units must utilize an ENERGY STAR qualified electric water heater with Energy Factor (EF) 2.0 or greater; or utilize ENERGY STAR qualified solar water heating.

Home builder participation: For home builders, achieving ENERGY STAR is a major rung on the ladder toward Green Building certification under nationally recognized programs like Florida Green Building Coalition or LEED For Homes.

• The home builder signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an ENERGY STAR partner.
• The home builder works with a third-party energy rater, specifically a RESNET-certified Level 1 HERS Rater (RESNET is the national Residential Energy Services Network, a nonprofit standards-setting group aligned with the US Department of Energy and EPA. HERS = Home Energy Rating System, RESNET's energy efficiency rating system for homes.) Learn more here
• The home must achieve a qualifying HERS Index under Florida-specific guidelines. The final as-built HERS Index is confirmed by the HERS Rater.
• There are new mandatory training requirements for participating Builders, HVAC installers, and HERS Raters.
• The essential elements of a qualifying ENERGY STAR home are:
  1. Effective Insulation
  2. High Performance Windows
  3. Tight Construction and Ductwork
  4. Efficient Heating and Cooling Systems
  5. Efficient Lighting and Appliances
  6. Third Party Verification

Terms and Conditions

1. To be eligible for City of Tallahassee Utilities (City) rebates, ENERGY STAR (ES) qualifying residential units must utilize natural gas for water heating. If natural gas is unavailable, and gas main extension to the site is denied by the City's Natural Gas Utility, units must utilize an ENERGY STAR qualified electric water heater with Energy Factor (EF) 2.0 or greater; or ES qualified solar water heating.
2. For incentives to be paid, this application must be completed entirely and submitted with required documentation (see rebate form for more details).
3. Individual HERS ratings of individual units must be conducted by a Florida State-Certified HERS Level 1 Rater.
4. HERS Rater inspection/testing/rating/verification of each unit is required.
5. Use this Application form for homes with Permit Request Date after 6/30/11, and/or Final Inspection after 12/31/11.
6. Applications must be received within 90 days of the unit's Final Inspection date.
7. Home builders can apply for ES $1/s.f. incentives as well as gas appliance rebates; but may not apply for both Energy Star $1/s.f. rebates as well as City ES rebates for individual electric appliances.
8. By participating in this program, the homebuilder agrees that the City obtains and/or retains ownership of all rights to existing and future emission credits, renewable energy green tags, tradable renewable certificates and/or any and all other environmental benefits associated with constructing or renovating the home to ES standards.

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