Take Action Today
We have a chance—right now—to show our support for ENERGY STAR.
- Contact your elected officials and ask them to protect ENERGY STAR
- Share this post with your peers and online network
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What is ENERGY STAR? Why Does it Matter?
Launched in 1992 under President George H. W. Bush, ENERGY STAR has become one of the most widely recognized energy efficiency programs in the country. Over its 33-year history, it has received bipartisan support due to its positive impact in helping builders raise the standard for healthy, comfortable, and efficient housing.
In 2024 alone, every $1 the federal government invested in ENERGY STAR helped American families save $350 on their energy bills—real savings that stay in homeowners’ pockets.
ENERGY STAR has become one of the most recognizable and impactful programs in our industry, thanks in large part to the tireless efforts of EPA staff, RESNET, NAHB, and Energy Efficiency professionals across the country.
The Impact of ENERGY STAR in Housing
ENERGY STAR has helped shape how homes are built, verified, and lived in. Its voluntary standards—ranging from high-efficiency HVAC systems and tight building envelopes to water management and ventilation strategies—have pushed construction practices well beyond basic code requirements.
Its legacy goes even further. Many elements of today’s energy codes and green building standards can be traced back to the best practices and leadership that originated under ENERGY STAR.
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ENERGY STAR at Southern Energy Management
At Southern Energy Management (SEM), our mission is to improve the way people make and use energy—and we’ve seen firsthand how transformative ENERGY STAR has been.
SEM has been an important stakeholder throughout the years as demonstrated by our numerous Sustained Excellence and Partner of the Year awards from the program.
Without the influence of ENERGY STAR, the landscape of energy-efficient housing in North Carolina would not be what it is today. To date, our team alone has certified 36,519 single family homes under the ENERGY STAR program—helping homeowners save $16,433,550 in energy costs each year, supporting grid reliability, and creating meaningful job opportunities for 90+ team members.
What is Happening to ENERGY STAR?
The situation is evolving quickly, but here’s what we know so far:
- The administration has instructed the EPA to wind down ENERGY STAR operations across all branches by the end of this fiscal year on September 30th, 2025.
- EPA staff are actively exploring options to privatize the program so it can continue outside of the EPA.
- NAHB and several large national builders are lobbying the administration to reconsider its decision.
- Organizations like RESNET, USGBC, and Southern Energy Management are working in parallel to support those efforts and explore viable alternatives – we’ll be heading to DC to speak with representatives next week!
- Work is underway to preserve the 45L Tax Credit, and to identify potential replacement programs.
- Our very own Taylor Fearrington is on the RESNET Board of Directors, ensuring we’re directly involved in shaping the next steps
- There remains a possibility that continued advocacy could result in a reversal of this decision – That’s where we all come in.
How SEM is Responding
We’re not waiting on the sidelines.
Southern Energy Management is actively engaging with partners, policymakers, and industry peers to protect ENERGY STAR and its future.
We’re focused on what we can control: supporting our builders, staying nimble, and delivering proven building science solutions—no matter what comes next.
Thanks to our diverse business model and in-house expertise, we’re ready to pivot and help our partners meet their performance goals, even if the program landscape changes.
We’re frustrated by this news—no way around it. But we believe that disruption creates opportunity. From a four-person energy rating team to a 90+ person crew, we’ve grown because of the foundation ENERGY STAR helped lay. That foundation is still here, and we’re ready to keep building.
We’re not going anywhere.
How You Can Help
This is a moment for the industry—and the public—to come together and be heard.
