RISMEDIA, February 17, 2010—(Eco Hatchery Real Estate News)—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released its final WaterSense single-family new homes specification, creating the first national, voluntary, water-efficiency specification for an entire new home.
“Home builders can now partner with EPA and earn the WaterSense label for their newly built homes, helping create livable communities and quality homes that are easy to maintain,” said Peter S. Silva, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Water. “These homes will save homeowners as much as $200 a year on utility bills compared to their current homes.”
EPA worked with hundreds of stakeholders over the past three years to develop this specification, which was designed to complement existing green building programs. WaterSense labeled new homes, which will be 20% more efficient than typical new homes, must be independently inspected and certified by an EPA licensed certification provider to meet the WaterSense criteria for water efficiency and performance.
The new homes will feature WaterSense labeled plumbing fixtures, Energy Star qualified appliances (if installed), water-efficient landscaping, and hot water delivery systems that deliver hot water faster, so homeowners
