Standards and Guidelines

The Michigan Build! ENERGY STAR® Homes program uses the Home Performance Rating to determine the energy rating score of a home. Homes eligible for the Michigan Build! ENERGY STAR Homes certification will receive a minimum Home Performance Rating score of 86 in addition to meeting the specific building standards listed below (please refer to the full standards and guidelines for full description and accepted methods):

• Site visits and performance tests - Consultant must complete a minimum of three visits.
  
• Full coverage foundation insulation - Foundation insulation required must cover the complete height of the wall.
  
• Sealed sump pit - Any sump pit(s) installed must be airtight.
  
• Air barrier - Home must have an approved continuous and durable air barrier.
  
• Overall house ventilation - Ventilation equipment for the home must be designed, installed, and tested to satisfy minimum exhaust flow requirements.
  
• Spot ventilation for electric kitchen range - Dedicated exhaust ducted to the exterior must be installed if the home is not using a centrally ducted ventilation system with an exhaust pickup in the kitchen.
  
• Spot ventilation for gas kitchen range - Dedicated exhaust ducted to the exterior must be installed if the home has a gas cooktop and/or gas oven.
  
• Spot ventilation for bathrooms - A quiet bathroom exhaust fan ducted to the exterior is required if the home is not using a centrally ducted ventilation system with an exhaust pickup in bathrooms or other rooms with high moisture sources.
  
• Gas and wood-burning fireplaces - No unvented combustion appliances, including unvented gas fireplaces, are allowed. All wood-burning fireplaces or stoves must be fitted with an outdoor combustion air supply and gasketed doors. All gas fireplaces must be direct-vented and sealed face, and without doors that can open.
  
• Sealed, power-vented, or direct-vented heating and water heating systems - Sealed or power-vented combustion equipment must be installed, or the combustion equipment must be isolated from the conditioned space.
  
• Carbon monoxide detector - Carbon monoxide detectors must be installed on each floor with bedrooms. Detectors can be hard-wired or plug-in models.