New Homes Background Information
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Final New Homes Specification (Version 1.1)
WaterSense released the Version 1.1 WaterSense New Home Specification on August 30, 2012. As of January 1, 2013, all homes must meet the requirements of Version 1.1 in order to earn the WaterSense label. For complete information, please visit the WaterSense Specification for New Homes page. Before the specification and other supporting documents were finalized, EPA released drafts for public comment. The drafts, public comments, EPA's response to public comment, and other background information are listed below.
Draft New Homes Specification (Version 1.1)
On March 22, 2012, WaterSense issued a Draft New Homes Specification (Version 1.1) (PDF) (21 pp, 1MB) that modifies the Final Specification for Single-Family New Homes issued in 2009. The proposed modifications would expand the scope to enable homes in multi-family buildings to earn the label, update product requirements, and adjust landscape criteria.
- Draft New Homes Specification (Version 1.1) (PDF) (21 pp, 1MB)
- Draft Appendix D: Summary of Additional and Adjusted Criteria for Multi-family Buildings (PDF) (3 pp, 94K)
- Response to Public Comments Received on March 2012 Draft New Home Specification (Version 1.1) (PDF) (33 pp, 344K)
- Stakeholder Comments on Draft New Home Specification (Version 1.1) (PDF) (81 pp, 881K)
- Public Meeting Presentation on Draft New Home Specification (Version 1.1) (38 pp, 545K)
- Public Meeting Summary (PDF) (7 pp, 76.2K)
- Revised Inspection Checklists:
- Draft WaterSense Labeled New Homes Inspection Checklist (Version 1.1)(PDF) (4 pp, 74K)
- Draft WaterSense Labeled New Homes Irrigation Audit Checklist (Version 1.1)(PDF)(3 pp, 53K)
- Draft WaterSense Labeled New Homes- Additional Information for Units in a Multi-Family Building Covered by a Sampling Protocol (PDF) (2 pp, 49K)
- WaterSense Statement on Proposed Modifications (PDF) (2 pp, 307K)
NOI to Modify the WaterSense Final Specification for Single-Family New Homes
On October 21, 2011, WaterSense released a Notification of Intent (PDF) (5 pp, 90K) to modify the Specification for Single Family New Homes, to gather comments on the proposed modifications, and information on the outstanding issues.
- WaterSense New Homes NOI Public Meeting Summary (PDF) (14 pp, 102 K)
- Notification of Intent (PDF) (5 pp, 99K)
- Comments on the Notification of Intent (PDF) (62 pp, 3.80MB)
New Homes Specification (Version 1.0)
Version 1.0 Final (Effective through December 31, 2012)
- Final Specification for Single-Family New Homes Version 1.0 (PDF) (15 pp, 120K)
- WaterSense Single-Family New Home Specification Supporting Statement (PDF) (17 pp, 196K)
- Water Budget Tool (Option 1 in section 4.1.1 of the Specification for New Homes)
- WaterSense Labeled New Home Inspection Checklist Version 1.0 (PDF) (3 pp, 78K)
- WaterSense Labeled New Home Inspection Checklist–Additional Information for New Home Covered by a Sampling Protocol Version 1.0 (PDF) (2 pp, 78K)
- Guidelines for Irrigation Audits on WaterSense Labeled New Homes Version 1.0 (PDF) (2 pp, 48K)
- WaterSense Labeled New Home Irrigation Audit Checklist Version 1.0 (PDF) (3 pp, 48K)
- Research Report on Turfgrass Allowance (PDF) (12 pp, 208K)
Second Draft New Home Specification
WaterSense released a Second Draft of the Single-Family New Homes Specification on May 8, 2009. Below is a list of documents relating to the second draft new homes specification:
- Second Draft Single-Family New Home Specification Cover Letter (PDF) (2 pp, 84K)
- Second Draft Single-Family New Home Specification (PDF) (8 pp, 85K)
- Public comments for the Second Draft Single-Family New Home Specification and Related Materials (PDF) (419 pp, 1.7MB)
- Response to Public comments for the Second Draft Single-Family New Home Specification and Related Materials (PDF) (36 pp, 159K)
EPA held two public meetings to discuss the Second Draft Single-Family New Home Specification on June 10, 2009 in Washington, DC and on June 22, 2009 via webinar. For more information, please see the public meeting summary (PDF) (26 pp, 276K) and the public meeting presentation (PDF) (25 pp, 532K).
First Draft New Home Specification
EPA released the original WaterSense Draft Specification (first draft) for Single-Family New Homes on May 22, 2008.
- First Draft Single-Family New Home Specification Cover Letter (PDF) (2 pp, 84K)
- First Draft Single-Family New Home Specification (PDF) (8 pp, 85K)
- First Draft Single-Family New Home Specification Supporting Statement (PDF) (17 pp, 190K)
- Public comments by Author for the First Draft Single-Family New Home Specification (PDF) (205 pp, 893K)
- Public comments by Subject for the First Draft Single-Family New Home Specification (PDF) (190 pp, 888K)
EPA held an online public meeting to discuss the First Draft Single-Family New Home Specification on June 18, 2008. For more information, please see the public meeting summary (PDF) (26pp, 276K).
Draft Landscape Water Budget Tool
EPA released the final Landscape Water Budget tool on December 10, 2009. EPA released a draft Water Budget tool on November 20, 2008. This tool supports Section 4.1.1 of the WaterSense Single-Family New Home Specification.
- Draft Water Budget tool (XLS, 72K)
- Public Comments on the November 2008 Draft Water Budget Tool for New Homes (PDF) (128 pp, 576K)
New Homes Certification System
WaterSense New Home Certification System (Version 1.1)
To correspond with the revisions to Version 1.1 WaterSense New Home Specification, EPA made minor revisions to the WaterSense New Home Certification System (Version 1.1) (PDF) (27 pp, 471K). For more information on the WaterSense New Home Certification System, visit the New Homes Inspection and Certification page.
WaterSense New Home Certification System (Version 1.0)
EPA released the Final New Homes Certification System (PDF) (26 pp, 156K) on June 25, 2009. EPA released a draft of the New Homes Certification System on December 18, 2008.
- Draft New Homes Certification System (PDF) (22 pp, 132K)
- Draft Inspection Guidelines (PDF) (14 pp, 146K)
- Draft Irrigation Audit Guidelines (PDF) (4 pp, 56K)
- Public Comments on the December 2008 Draft Inspection and Certification Systems for New Homes (PDF) (32 pp, 157K)
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