You can easily recognize the familiar logo of an “Energy Star” product.  It’s the one with the blue square box, and inside is the word “energy” written in neon cursive and sitting next to a neon star.  Exactly like the one to the right.  The Energy Star symbol carries a message of something, a product… that’s designed to save energy, i.e. cost less to run/use/operate.  The symbol is used in a variety of applications from everyday household products (appliances/lighting/HVAC systems) to entire houses & house systems. 

Anyone can purchase Energy Star “home” products.  If your refrigerator breaks down and needs replacing, you would probably consider investing in new Energy Star model.  Everyone also secretly enjoys the look and gadget-ry on those new energy star front load washer and dryer systems.

Any contractor can, when he/she builds your home, completely outfit your home with energy star products, led lighting, energy efficient windows and more.

But only a Beracah built home, is Energy Star Certified.

To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20–30% more efficient than standard homes.

For every home built by Beracah to achieve Energy Star certification, the entire Beracah Home’s factory needed to be certified.  Certification for a factory can last several months, as it is only achieved after a certain number of homes are built and tested by a 3rd party energy performance team.  Read about some of the testing procedures by clicking here.

When testing of a home is complete, the verification team gives the home a number (or it’s Herrs Index).  The Herrs Index is a number that represents how “energy efficient” the home actually is and is compared to other traditionally built homes in the area/region.  The lower the Herrs Index score, the closer a home gets to “zero” energy or simply… a home that is not using any electricity from a foreign source.  A zero energy home functions “off the grid”.  While not everyone’s home will be constructed to achieve zero energy, every home built in the Beracah plant leaves airtight and ready for inspection.  Every home is given a Herr Index score.  How many other homebuilders will perform this service?  Rare, if any at all.

There is much to read about Energy Star, Energy Star certification, Energy Star construction, etc. -- too many articles to have you read about here, but you’ll find them very informative & eye opening.  On this page though, you’ll find several documents that pertain to Energy Star construction.  Open/print/take with you… they’re great to know, and are one reason you’ll enjoy about your new Beracah Home – Energy Star certified, from the ground up.

Beracah Homes works with Energy Services Group from Wilmington, DE to evaluate and score all their homes.

Click here to learn more about "Beracah - Building Green".