If you are looking for a new home, the ENERGY STAR® for New Homes program can offer you everything you want, plus energy-efficient features that deliver better performance, greater comfort, and lower utility bills. You can rest assured that your new ENERGY STAR® certified home will save energy, save money, and help protect the environment by operating more efficiently.
Buying a New Home? Look for the Sign You Trust – ENERGY STAR®
SMECO’s ENERGY STAR® for New Homes Program promotes energy-efficient construction so you can save energy, save money, and help to save the environment with your new home. To earn the ENERGY STAR®, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to Maryland’s standard building code.
The ENERGY STAR® Difference
ENERGY STAR® qualified homes include a variety of “tried-and-true” energy-efficiency features that contribute to improved home quality and homeowner comfort, and to lower energy demand and reduced air pollution:
- Effective Insulation
- High-Performance Windows
- Tight Construction and Ducts
- Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment
- Efficient Appliances
- Third-Party Verification
Lower Ownership Costs
Compared with standard homes, ENERGY STAR® qualified homes use substantially less energy—saving hundreds in utility costs annually and thousands over the years you live in your home, plus substantial savings on maintenance.
Improved Performance & Comfort
Properly installed energy-efficient improvements deliver better protection against cold, heat, drafts, moisture, pollution, and noise. An energy-efficient home helps ensure consistent temperatures between rooms, better indoor air quality, and greater durability.
Peace of Mind
Find the house of your dreams and enjoy peace of mind knowing that it meets the strict energy efficiency requirements of the government-backed ENERGY STAR® label.
Environmental Responsibility
Did you know that your home can be a greater source of pollution than your car? In fact, 17% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions are generated from the energy used in houses. Simply put, the less energy we use in our homes, the less air pollution we generate.
Find an ENERGY STAR® Builder
Contact any of the builders below if you are interested in building an energy-efficient ENERGY STAR® home.
- American Dreams Inc.
- Built-Rite Homes
- Conifer Realty
- Dan Ryan
- K & P Builders
- KB Homes
- Lennar
- Marrick Homes
- M/I Homes
- Mid-Atlantic Builders
- Patuxent Habitat for Humanity
- Ryan Homes
- Quality Built Homes
Home Buyers FAQ
Not only can you save money every year on reduced utility and maintenance costs—your home will also be more comfortable and have improved indoor air quality. If you resell the home later, it will be ENERGY STAR® qualified, which can be a powerful marketing tool.
Check out our list of ENERGY STAR® Builders participating in SMECO’s program on this page. You also can visit ENERGY STAR®'s New Homes Partner Locator to find a complete listing of the participating ENERGY STAR® homebuilders in Maryland.
An ENERGY STAR® qualified home does not have to cost more than one built only to code. The price is determined by your homebuilder’s construction practices. With most ENERGY STAR® qualified homes, even if the initial cost is higher, the monthly utility savings are greater than the increase in monthly mortgage payments. And that can improve your cash flow.
Look for a blue ENERGY STAR® label on your circuit breaker box or elsewhere in the utility room. If you don’t see one, contact your builder and request documentation that your home has earned the ENERGY STAR—either with an ENERGY STAR® certificate or a Home Energy Rating (HERS) report.
No. If needed, ENERGY STAR® qualified homes utilize mechanical ventilation, which ensures appropriate circulation of fresh air for safe, healthy living.
EmPOWER Maryland programs are funded by a charge on your energy bill. EmPOWER programs can help you reduce your energy consumption and save you money. Learn more about EmPOWER and how you can participate.