(PRLEAP.COM) While cities and states grapple with deregulation and rising energy costs this Summer, one government program is offering a solution. Energy Star(tm), an innovative energy efficiency program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is a voluntary partnership that includes more than 2,400 builders, developers, retailers and product manufacturers who are working to build homes that use energy more efficiently.

To qualify for the Energy Star label, a home must exceed the Model Energy Code by 30 percent. This goal is met by using energy-efficient building products and independently verifying that the home meets Energy Star guidelines for energy efficiency. The result is a more comfortable home that saves you money every month.

With energy usage and rising utility bills increasingly dominating the headlines, demand for energy-efficient products could see a significant increase. Already, California has witnessed unprecedented power shortfalls that have led to rolling blackouts and soaring utility bills. With Energy Star for homes, consumers have an easy way to make a difference. New England Cedar Homes has committed to the program in order to help its customers build energy efficient new homes.

On average, Energy Star labeled homes consume 30 percent less energy than traditional homes while exceeding them in terms of energy efficient performance, comfort, and durability. If, by the year 2007, every U.S. home purchased was built to Energy Star standards, air pollution savings would be equal to the removal of 250,000 cars from the road each year.

Introduced in 1995, Energy Star homes currently has over 2,400 partners nationwide. For more information about Energy Star labeled homes and other Energy Star labeled products, please call 1-888-STAR-YES, or visit the New England Cedar Homes Web site at www.newenglandcedarhomes.com.