ENERGY STAR® Homes - In October of 1995, the ENERGY STAR new homes program was unveiled by the Environmental Protection Agency, requiring homes to be 30% more efficient in heating, cooling and water heating than the 1993 Model Energy Code.

• As of January 2006, over 350,000 homes nationwide have been certified ENERGY STAR and market awareness is over 60%.
• Effective July 1, 2006, the new HERS standards become mandatory and the homes must be either 15% better than the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) in southern climates or 20% better than the 2006 IECC in northern climates and lights and appliances are now included in the energy analysis.
• This represents an integration of the IECC with the HERS system, unifying standards and verification processes.
• The West Coast (California, Oregon and Washington) has a regional definition of ENERGY STAR® qualification.

Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEM’s) - These mortgages take into account the projected utility savings from the energy efficiency of the home.

Energy Improvement Mortgages (EIM’s) – These mortgages are designed for improving existing homes to a level at least equal to the 2000 IECC.

Texas Land Veterans Program- Requires ENERGY STAR certification.