Every ENERGY STAR labeled home is independently verified to use at least 15% less energy than a home built to the 2004 International Building Conservation Code.

ENERGY STAR is a voluntary national program developed by the U.S. Department of Energy to help consumers identify a benchmark for energy efficient residential construction.

The ENERGY STAR program treats a home as a system. The components of windows, insulation, orientation, heating and air conditioning, and air tightness, are all evaluated, inspected and certified to meet stringent requirements set by the program. Shoulders Construction submits every house it builds to the ENERGY STAR guidelines.

There are no inspections made by any federal, state, or local agencies to enforce the energy codes. As Henderson's first certified ENERGY STAR builder, Shoulders Construction voluntarily allows their houses being built to be inspected and blower door tested by a certified ENERGY STAR rater. These inspections verify the components used, and the blower door test confirms to what degree of energy efficiency the house is built. This is one of many distinctions that places Shoulders Construction above the competition.

What does that mean for you?

Savings on Utility Bills - ENERGY STAR Homes make it possible for owners to save money each month on utility bills and maintenance costs. As an ENERGY STAR home owner, your utility bills may be reduced with a significant savings when you consider the true cost of a home is not its "sticker" price but what it costs you to own and operate it every month.

Solid Construction - ENERGY STAR homes are more tightly constructed and contain high efficiency heating and air conditioning equipment, more insulation, tighter ducts, energy-efficient windows, and a home that's more tightly sealed against heat transfer from hot walls, drafts, noise, dust, and pollen. Shoulders Construction uses the newest and best products to maximize each home's energy efficiency cost effectively.

Comfort and Quiet - Tighter construction and improved insulation help keep out excess heat, cold and noise while maintaining consistent temperatures from room to room. Individual air returns enable you to keep bedroom doors closed for privacy.

Healthier Indoor Air - ENERGY STAR homes have better sealed ducts which helps keep out dust, pollen, mold, radon, and carbon monoxide, so you can breathe easier. Shoulders Construction offers Whole House Air Cleaner Media Filters, which are installed on A/C units for better air quality and less maintenance.

Good for the Environment - Almost 20% of air pollution results from energy used in homes. ENERGY STAR homes use significantly less energy, so you can feel good knowing you are doing your part for the environment.

Its more than just a label - The ENERGY STAR Program at Shoulders Construction is viewed as the completion of the new-home construction process and presents the most effective and efficient method of building a home of lasting value.

ENERGY STAR Qualified New Homes

An ENERGY STAR qualified new home performs better for the homeowner and the environment thanks to a variety of energy-efficient features.

What are ENERGY STAR Qualified New Homes?
ENERGY STAR qualified new homes are certified to meet strict energy-efficiency guidelines set forth by EPA.

Features of ENERGY STAR Qualified New Homes
ENERGY STAR qualified new homes use tried and true technologies and construction practices.

Benefits of ENERGY STAR Qualified New Homes
ENERGY STAR qualified new homes are high quality, comfortable homes that cost less and are good for the environment.

Certification Process

Being a partner in the ENERGY STAR program means that the homes must be tested for their compliance. Realizing the importance of energy efficiency, Richard Shoulders chooses to have every single one of his homes tested, in order to make sure each home is built to the program's standards as well as his own.

The certification process begins before the home is even built. An independent ENERGY STAR Home Inspector reviews the home's plans and uses sophisticated software to determine its expected efficiency rating. The home must achieve a certain Home Efficiency Rating Score. After the home is complete and various inspections are made during the construction process, the inspector returns to check ducts for leakage and measure the overall tightness of the house through the blower door test. Only if the home passes this test will it receive ENERGY STAR Certification.

Testimonial

Bobby and Theresa Yates

Bobby and Theresa Yates, two satisfied customers of Shoulders Construction, give their testimony:

"There were many factors that influenced our decision to hire Shoulders Construction to design and build our new home. In addition to their distinct architectural styling and keen attention to detail, we knew that Richard Shoulders' homes were known for their energy efficiency, which was very important to us. We liked the fact that our home included many energy efficient features that were cost effective to install and would save in operational costs for the life of our home. If we ever build another home, we will definitely have Shoulders Construction build it."