An Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) takes into account the energy costs of operating a home when determining the size of the available loan to the borrower.  While energy efficient homes may often cost more than comparable less efficient homes, their total lifetime cost of ownership is less due to the significantly reduced monthly energy bills.  These savings are effectively treated by the mortgage lender as additional income for the borrower,•••

Manual J calculations, also known as Heat Load Calculations or Cooling Load Calculations, are “used to determine how much heating and cooling a home needs to stay cool and dry in the summer and warm in the winter.”  Previously under ENERGY STAR Version 2, only Manual J calculations were required.  However for the current ENERGY STAR Version 3, Manual S and D calculations are also required in addition•••