All new-construction housing must be ENERGY STAR® labeled and certified.
Effective Jaunary 1, 2007, all new-construction homes financed through the Texas Veterans Housing Assistance Program (VHAP) must meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) new guidelines for ENERGY STAR® qualified homes. This includes completion of the Thermal Bypass Checklist, by a certified Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Rater, prior to wallboard being installed.
While the checklist must be completed on all homes on which construction began on or after July 1, 2006, builders will not be denied the ENERGY STAR® label for failure to pass this additional inspection through December 31, 2006. As of January 1, 2007, however, these homes must pass the Thermal Bypass Inspection to earn the label.
The new guidelines, Thermal Bypass Checklist and applicability dates may be found at:
