Insulation Institute Blog

EIA: Home Heat Forecast A Mixed Bag

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its Winter Fuels Outlook, and it’s good news for homeowners who heat with natural gas. According to the EIA, those homeowners will see a 9 percent dip in their fuel bills this winter, while homeowners who heat with electricity will see a 4 percent increase in costs, and those who burn oil will see a 21 percent increase.

U.S. homes primarily use natural gas (53 percent), electricity (32 percent), Propane (6 percent), and fuel oil/kerosene (5 percent) for heating. A smaller percentage of homes use wood or have no heating or other heat sources (2 percent and four percent, respectively).

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The Energy-Efficient Features We Want in Homes

A recent National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) survey revealed that a majority of prospective homebuyers rate energy-efficient features, such as above-code insulation and ENERGY STAR-compliant appliances and building products (including windows, doors, and HVAC systems), as essential or desirable. While the consumer desire for energy-efficient features isn’t new, it has only grown in importance in recent years.

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ENERGY STAR for Homes Gets Update

With the publishing of the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued new requirements for Energy Star Single-Family New Homes (SFNH) National v3.3 and Multifamily New Construction (MFNC) National v1.3, for states that adopt the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), or equivalent.  

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