CEE's Home Performance Committee is exploring energy-saving opportunities in two areas:

• New Construction
• Existing Homes

NEW CONSTRUCTION
New construction covers the building of new energy-efficient homes, including the new home's envelope (outer walls, windows, doors, skylights, roof and insulation), HVAC system, ductwork, lighting and appliances. The Home Performance Committee is currently monitoring developments in new construction and is submitting comments to ENERGY STAR^® for its New Homes program specification revision process.

Click here for further information about ENERGY STAR New Homes.

HOME PERFORMANCE (EXISTING HOMES)
CEE's efforts with existing homes addresses retrofit work on already-built homes to improve their energy efficiency based on building science. Building science examines buildings throughout their life cycle in an integrated way. This "whole-house" approach analyzes the house as a collection of interacting systems. Improvements in a home's energy efficiency can include changes to its envelope and HVAC system, as well as other components such as its water heater, appliances and lighting.

The Home Performance Committee monitors developments in the existing homes sector. In August 2005, CEE developed the Residential Home Performance National Program Summary (Existing Homes), which includes a definition and overview of home performance in addition to summaries for Home Performance with ENERGY STAR programs, including all programs run by CEE members.

Click here for further information about Home Performance with ENERGY STAR.