Distinguish Yourself as an Energy Leader!

The Building Technologies Program (BTP) offers recognition to leading builders of high-performance homes through the Builders Challenge. By taking the challenge, builders gain competitive advantage in the marketplace by providing their customers with unparalleled quality, comfort and energy savings.

Since 2008, hundreds of builders have taken the challenge and built thousands of high-performance homes, saving Americans more than $15 million in energy costs. These leading builders have remained competitive, provided customers with increased value, and stayed ahead of energy codes. As codes rapidly increase in rigor and proven innovations and best practices continue to emerge from Building America, it's time to raise the bar!

Follow the Path to Peak Performance

Beginning in April 2012, Builders Challenge 2 will chart a path to peak performance by aligning with the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) ENERGY STAR for Homes Version 3 and adding additional challenges to reflect Building America innovations and other state-of-the-art programs to increase levels of savings, comfort, health and durability. Builders Challenge 2 goes beyond energy efficiency with solutions for reduced water use, pollutant source control, and readiness for future renewable energy installations.

We invite you to review the draft Builders Challenge 2 National Program Requirements and provide comments by January 31, 2012.

Builders Challenge 2 homes will:

• Achieve more than 40% energy savings—generally a HERS Index Score of 60 or lower.
• Align with ENERGY STAR for Homes Version 3 Requirements, including checklists for Thermal Enclosure, HVAC Quality Installation, and Water Management.
• Honor smaller homes with the ENERGY STAR Size Adjustment Factor.
• Reach new performance levels with ENERGY STAR windows and 2012 IECC levels for insulation.
• Follow the latest research with requirements for ducts in conditioned space.
• Conserve water with EPA WaterSense single-family new home specifications and checklist.
• Create healthy indoor air quality with EPA Indoor airPLUS construction specifications and checklist.
• Accomplish savings on the cost of future solar installations with EPA Renewable Energy Ready Home (RERH) solar electric and solar thermal systems in climates with significant solar insolation.
• Encourage maximized durability with recommendations for disaster resistance and quality management.
• Take advantage of market forces with the HERS Index Score.*

*Builders Challenge 2 requirements will be effective for all homes permitted on or after April 1, 2012. At this time, the Builders Challenge 1 will be phased out along with the EnergySmart Home Scale (E-Scale). Existing partners in the current Builders Challenge will continue to receive E-Scales for homes permitted before April 1, 2012 and completed with a final inspection by September 1, 2012.