Building on the 25-year foundation of the ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction program, the EPA is gearing up to launch a new certification program for efficient single-family and multifamily homes: ENERGY STAR NextGen Certified Homes and Apartments. Based on initial energy and emissions modeling, ENERGY STAR NextGen certified homes will achieve an average of 47% greater carbon savings than homes built according to 2021 residential energy code.

In this episode, Robb chats with two members of EPA’s ENERGY STAR Residential Branch, Asa Foss and Elliot Seibert, about what home builders, raters, and buyers can expect from ENERGY STAR NextGen and its electric-forward—not all-electric—focus. They discuss each of the program’s requirements and the rationale and goals behind them.

Episode Guests

150x150.jpg" alt="Photo of Asa Foss." width="150" height="150">Asa Foss

Asa Foss joined EPA’s ENERGY STAR Residential Branch in 2020, where he’s managing ENERGY STAR NextGen, an operational decarbonization-focused new construction specification. He’s been in the residential efficiency industry since the early 2000s, including a decade at the U.S. Green Building Council where he was responsible for the development of the LEED for Homes rating systems. He renovated and lives in a designated-historic ENERGY STAR and LEED Platinum certified rowhouse in Washington, DC.

150x150.png" alt="Elliot headshot" width="150" height="150">Elliot Seibert

Bio coming soon!

Episode Information & Resources

The 5 NextGen Requirements for Climate-Friendly Homes:

Note: time stamps below in parenthesis 

1. Highly energy-efficient construction (12:17)
2. ENERGY STAR certified heat pumps for space heating (16:47)
3. ENERGY STAR certified heat pump water heaters (22:38)
4. Induction cooktops and electric ovens (Yes, we address the elephant in the room—the gas stove.) (29:38)
5. EV charging infrastructure (37:30)

NextGen Resources: 

ENERGY STAR NextGen Certified Homes and Apartments

ENERGY STAR NextGen National Rater Field Checklist (PDF)

We Want to Hear From You!

Send your feedback and questions to podcast@swinter.com.

About Buildings and Beyond

Buildings and Beyond is the podcast that explores how we can create a more sustainable built environment by focusing on efficiency, accessibility, and health.

Buildings and Beyond is a production of Steven Winter Associates. We provide energy, green building, and accessibility consulting services to improve the built environment. For more information, visit swinter.com.

Hosts: Robb Aldrich | Kelly Westby

Production Team: Heather Breslin | Alex Mirabile | Dylan Martello | Tricia Carr