Energy Star Program

Residential building quality is an integral part of a sustainable community because it directly contributes to the long-term satisfaction of the people who live there. Since 2006, all of the builders at Stapleton have been part of the ENERGY STAR program.

Homes that earn the ENERGY STAR label must meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). New guidelines for ENERGY STAR implemented in 2006 now require the successful completion of the Thermal Bypass Checklist (download PDF). The Checklist requires visual inspection of framing areas where air barriers are commonly missed and inspection of insulation to ensure proper alignment with air barriers, thus serving as an extra check that the air and thermal barriers in ENERGY STAR homes are continuous and complete.

ENERGY STAR qualified homes also include a variety of energy-efficient features such as effective insulation, high performance windows, tight construction and ducts, efficient heating and cooling equipment and ENERGY STAR qualified lighting and appliances. Since many of the energy efficient features in a home are not visible, homes that earn the ENERGY STAR have had their energy efficiency verified by an independent third-party inspector known as a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) rater.

Stapleton is proud to be the largest community in Colorado and one of the largest master-planned communities in the United States to have 100% builder participation in the ENERGY STAR program. For more information, go to www.energystar.gov.