Here's something to consider when you're appliance shopping. The Energy Star program was formed as a partnership between the US Department of Energy, the EPA, and retailers and manufacturers to pinpoint energy efficient products for consumers. It's estimated that if everyone used appliances with the Energy Star label, we could each save 30% on our energy bills and an estimated $100 billion nationwide over the next 15 years.

John Livermore joins Bob to explain the Energy Star Homes program started in the 1970s by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The red blower door is in place to do the blower door test required for certification as an Energy Star Home. Certified homes must be at least 30 percent more efficient than the model energy efficiency code. Once certified, homeowners and builders are eligible for rebates and services from a consortium of utilities and energy service providers. Livermore reviews key areas of energy-efficient building with Bob, including air sealing. He repeats the builders' motto, "build tight and ventilate right," when discussing the importance of a tightly sealed home with proper air exchange. Livermore shows Bob a light expansion foam that can be used with a foam gun to seal against air leaks around doors and windows and the Panasonic Whisper Light fans that bring air changes to the home at a controlled ventilation rate. Another energy saver is the programmable thermostat that allows homeowners to schedule heat for waking hours of occupancy. Compact fluorescent lights are also used throughout the home because they use 70 percent less energy, have a lower heat output and last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.

The ceiling fan is being installed in the Punta Gorda home. Its workbox must be firmly mounted to hold the ceiling fan in place. This house is Energy Star qualified, which means that, in addition to the insulation, windows, and building materials, the appliances are also Energy Star rated. Fluorescent bulbs are used in the fixtures to reduce energy use throughout the year. The burnished brass-look fixtures are from Sea Gull Lighting and are all Energy Star certified.

Once the roof is in place, the windows and sliding patio door in the back can be installed. The windows are from a new fiberglass window line from Pella, which includes low-emissivity glass for greater efficiency. The fiberglass frames make them more resistant to extreme weather. The windows will not warp or rot in the heat or cold. Duane Putz of Pella reviews the features of the windows and glass patio door. The Pella Impervia door is made from Duracast, a fiberglass composite, and is very durable, and resistant to impact and scratches. All of the hardware is color matched to the product so it blends very nicely. It's also available in other finishes such as brass, satin nickel, and bronze. Both the upper and lower sash can be raised or lowered, providing natural ventilation. The sashes tilt inwards making it possible to clean the exterior face of the glass from the interior of the home. Pella Impervia windows are Energy Star rated in all 50 states and save the average homeowner 24 percent over single-pane wood windows. The powder coat finish over the fiberglass means there is no need to add a stain or finish to the window.

After the countertops are in Bob meets with Ren Anderson of NREL to look at the Energy Star appliances.

Bob convenes with carpenter Bob Ryley and plumber Dave DuVerger who are installing the laundry appliances. Bob details a few of the features of the Energy Star rated washer and its accompanying dryer. The clothes washer, a He3t model from Kenmore's Elite series, has a spin cycle of 2100 RPMs that extracts more moisture than standard machines, resulting in less drying time. Ryley notes the non-standard sized enclosure needed to accommodate these front-loading machines and their required gas and ventilation hookups.

Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. After years of leftover science experiments, Thanksgiving dinners and midnight snacks, he s probably served you well, but old Mr. Fridge is adding more to your electric bill than he s worth. Your refrigerator hogs more electricity than almost anything else in your house. If it s an older model, it s using twice as much as a new Energy Star certified model would to keep the same milk cold. A new fridge is a big purchase, and there will be a small fee to dispose of the old one. But some electrical utilities are actually giving rebates of $150 or more to customers who replace their old refrigerators with new, energy-efficient models. To find out what s offered in your state, check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiencies, or D-S-I-R-E. Even without the rebate, buying an Energy Star certified refrigerator makes sense. A mid-size fridge more than 10 years old can cost $100 a year to run. Today s Energy Star compliant models cost half that much: some use less energy than a continuously running 75-watt light bulb. And with so many great new features like digital temperature control, French doors and even an alarm to tell you when the door s been left open a new fridge is a great investment that works for your family 24 hours a day! Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008

Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. While it s easy to feel helpless against global warming, there are actually 8 simple things you can do at home to be part of the solution. Energy-saving fluorescent lighting has come a long way. There s a fluorescent bulb to fit almost any fixture inside and outside your home, and they re a good bet for lights that are used a lot because they last 10 times longer. If we all switched out 5 standard light bulbs for fluorescents, it would be like taking a million cars off the road for a year. Put on a sweater, set your thermostat just two degrees lower in winter and cut your carbon emissions by 9 percent. A programmable thermostat is a great energy saver, automatically lowering your heat when you re at work or asleep. Wrap your electric water heater in an insulation blanket and set it at 120 degrees. If it s time to replace your water heater, install a tankless unit for an endless supply of hot water at 40 percent savings over conventional tanks. Wash dishes and clothes only when the machines are full. When you buy an appliance, make sure it s Energy Star certified. And run it all with green power: Ask your utility company about buying your electricity from renewable sources, or visit the U.S. Department of Energy s green power web site. Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008

Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. It s important to make your home energy-efficient by sealing all gaps and insulating thoroughly. But don t overlook ventilation. Vent fans in the kitchen and bathrooms are required by code in most states, and they re a good idea everywhere. They help protect indoor air quality and get rid of excess moisture from cooking and bathing that can lead to mold problems and structural damage. In the kitchen, range hoods now come in all shapes and sizes to go with your cooking surface and d cor. They can be ducted through a ceiling or exterior wall. This often requires tearing out plaster or drywall and it s best done during a remodel. If you don t want a large hood, consider a cooktop with a downdraft vent ducted through the floor. Either way, ventilation fans should always be ducted to the outside, never into an attic or crawlspace. Bathroom ventilation fans have come a long way, too. Energy Star-certified models with built-in ceiling lights can do double-duty and save you money, especially since these are so often accidentally left on. And they re much quieter, too. Some installers recommend the roof-mount type of fan. The fan and motor are installed on the roof and ducted to the interior space. In some homes, this can make installation and service easier since the unit s out in the open instead of built into the ceiling. Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008

Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. While washing day has come a long way since the tub and washboard, it can still feel like drudgery if your laundry area needs help. Because it s so often relegated to the basement, garage or shared space in a bathroom or hallway, the laundry room needs small-space solutions to make washing a more pleasant and efficient chore. Make the best use of the floor space you have like they did a century ago in the great American bungalow: Install a drop-in ironing board or work surface and hide them away when they re not in use. A wall-mounted, accordion-style drying rack can provide 25 feet of hanging space without using any floor space at all and it saves energy. If the floor is concrete, painting it and adding an area rug would help underfoot. Keep the floor clear by using laundry sorting bins. Use shelves and labeled baskets to catch laundry that is set aside for mending or donation. If your laundry s in the mudroom or hallway, work it into the d cor by installing a countertop over the machines and hanging a curtain or louvered doors in front. If it s time for new machines, many new models have storage pedestal drawers to hide the detergent bottles and save your back while you load and unload the laundry. And remember to always look for the energy star label to save water and energy costs. Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008