Utility-Sponsored ENERGY STAR Programs
In 1999, the Texas Legislature passed the Texas Electric Choice Act (Senate Bill 7) that introduced retail competition for some investor-owned utilities. The introduction of competition resulted in the separation of functions in electric companies. The operations related to producing and selling electricity at retail were separated from the delivery of electricity to homes and businesses.
Companies that deliver electricity to homes and businesses are known as transmission and distribution utilities. CenterPoint Energy is a transmission and distribution utility.
Companies from which you purchase electricity for your home are known as retail electric providers.
The Public Utility Commission and the Texas Electric Choice Act stipulated that transmission and distribution utilities were required to implement energy efficiency programs to reduce their growth in energy demand by 10 percent.
Since 2000, CenterPoint Energy has sponsored a regional ENERGY STAR Homes Program within its electric service territory to achieve annual energy efficiency goals.
CenterPoint Energy is an award-winning supporter of the national ENERGY STAR for Homes program. It has received awards from the EPA recognizing its outstanding contributions to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through energy-efficient homes that earn the ENERGY STAR. The utility has been awarded Partner of the Year for new homes in 2002 and 2003, Excellence in Energy Efficiency and Environmental Education in 2004 and 2005, and the EPA’s award for Sustained Excellence in Program delivery in 2006.
CenterPoint Energy’s regional ENERGY STAR Homes Program achievements are:
- Since 2001, CenterPoint Energy has contributed over $16.5 million in incentives, advertising, technical support and marketing to promote ENERGY STAR qualified home construction throughout the Houston area.
- Between 2001 and 2006, CenterPoint Energy has supported the construction of over 50,000 ENERGY STAR qualified homes in the Houston area.
- In 2006, approximately 15 percent of all the ENERGY STAR qualified homes built nationally were built right here in Houston and southeastern Texas by ENERGY STAR homebuilders.
- CenterPoint Energy has helped to reinforce the strong positive influence of the ENERGY STAR Label. Nationally, over 88% of all buyers view ENERGY STAR as a positive influence on their purchasing decisions. That means your new home is worth more today and will be more valuable to future home buyers if you ever decide to sell your home.
Statistics collected by the CenterPoint Energy ENERGY STAR Homes Program and the National ENERGY STAR Homes Program from 2001-2006.
Click here to learn more about how ENERGY STAR qualified homes help Texans enjoy a big, blue Texas sky!
