The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) can improve the efficiency of nearly half the new homes in the country—and reduce credit risk to its mortgage portfolios—by requiring that all newly constructed homes purchased with mortgages that are backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac meet up-to-date minimum energy codes. Setting up-to-date energy efficiency requirements for these homes would improve home quality, reduce monthly costs, lessen vulnerability to fuel price spikes, improve indoor environmental quality, and ensure long-term reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
This fact sheet was developed for the Campaign for Lower Home Energy Costs.