No. If needed, ENERGY STAR® qualified homes utilize mechanical ventilation, which ensures appropriate circulation of fresh air for safe, healthy living.
Home Buyers FAQ
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.
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.
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.
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.