The collection
of information is approved for three years.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
02/28/2013
36 Months From Approved
02/28/2010
141,511
0
110,847
180,958
0
175,449
17,439
0
128,000
ENERGY STAR is a voluntary energy
efficiency labeling program aimed at forming public-private
partnerships that prevent air pollution rather than control it
after its creation. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
introduced ENERGY STAR in 1992 to label energy efficient computers.
Since then, EPA and the Department of Energy (DOE) have expanded
the ENERGY STAR Program to promote energy efficiency in over 60
product categories such as office equipment and consumer
electronics, and in commercial and residential buildings. President
Obama has made energy efficiency a key element of his effort to
address energy independence and reliability and climate change.
Increased energy efficiency through ENERGY STAR provides cost
savings to businesses and consumers, reduces greenhouse gas
emissions from power plants, and increases U.S. energy security and
reliability. This ICR renewal examines information collection
activities under the ENERGY STAR Program within the new home and
existing home sectors. ENERGY STAR is part of EPA's Climate
Protection Partnerships Division (CPPD) within the Office of Air
and Radiation (OAR). EPA announced ENERGY STAR for New Homes in
1995 as part of its effort to promote energy efficient new home
construction within the residential sector. EPA rolled out an
existing homes initiative in 1999 to promote cost-effective energy
efficiency retrofits. The first activity was a consumer Web site
and a home energy benchmarking tool called the Home Energy
Yardstick. Then in 2001, EPA launched Home Performance with ENERGY
STAR. And in 2008, EPA launched an ENERGY STAR HVAC Quality
Installation program. These efforts promote home envelope
improvements, (i.e. proper installation of adequate insulation, air
sealing of holes and gaps into the home, and installation of energy
efficient windows) proper installation of high efficiency heating
and cooling equipment and duct sealing and repair.
This is the first ICR renewal
for the ENERGY STAR Program in the Residential Sector. The burden
estimates contained in this ICR renewal differ from those contained
in the previous ICR submitted three years ago due to changes in
ENERGY STAR's residential programs. Specifically, the burden has
increased by 5,509 hours per year, from 175,449 hours in the
previous ICR to 180,958 hours in this ICR. EPA has added new
partnership categories (e.g., HVAC Quality Installation Partners)
that have collection activities associated with them. In addition,
EPA has moved more of its data collection activities to Web-based
tools and forms, reducing the use of paper-based collection
methods. Also, EPA has added new evaluation activities to this ICR
renewal. EPA believes the burden in this ICR renewal is justified
in light of the many benefits to participants, the public and the
environment. Homes earning the ENERGY STAR label have been verified
to be energy efficient, making it easier for consumers to identify
and purchase homes that are energy efficient. Compared to a
standard home, an ENERGY STAR qualified home uses substantially
less energy for heating, cooling, and water heating. In 2008 the
national average annual utility bill savings was estimated to be
$384 per home. In 2008 alone there were over 120,000 new homes
earning the ENERGY STAR label, almost 17 percent of all new homes
permitted in the U.S that year. These homes are estimated to have
provided homeowners around $42 million in annual utility bill
savings. This savings becomes even greater when you consider that a
person lives in the same home an average of 7 to 8 years. In 2008,
the cumulative number of ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes "in the
ground" is estimated to have saved U.S. homeowners $258 million in
utility bills, more than 1,500 million kilowatt-hours of
electricity, 155 million therms of natural gas, and over 1.9
million metric tons of carbon dioxide that each year - the
equivalent of having removed over a third of a million cars from
the road. Additional savings on household maintenance can also be
substantial. More than 17,000 homes have been improved through
state and locally sponsored Home Performance with ENERGY STAR
programs. This whole-house retrofit initiative is bringing new
opportunities to achieve energy savings and reduce peak loads
across the U.S. Also, there are many state and local
energy-efficiency sponsorship programs that provide rebates and
other financial incentives to home builders that offset the
verification costs associated with qualifying a home for the ENERGY
STAR label. In addition, EPA's ENERGY STAR Programs are an
important part of the overall effort to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions. President Obama has made ENERGY STAR a key element of
his National Energy Policy and his climate change initiative, which
emphasizes the use of market-based, voluntary partnerships with
industry. ENERGY STAR is a voluntary, market-based program aimed at
preventing pollution rather than controlling it after its creation.
ENERGY STAR focuses on reducing utility-generated emissions by
reducing the demand for energy via voluntary commitments by a wide
range of organizations, public and private.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Form 5900-172 Energy Star Program in the Residential Sector: Private Sector
2193ss02rev2.DOC
Energy Star Program in the Residential Sector: Private Sector