There's no doubt about it, with rising energy costs, the attraction of buying a new energy-efficient home is growing rapidly. But what kind of features do you look for and what kind of savings can you expect? Here are five questions to ask:

1. Are the windows well-insulated?

Windows account for approximately 15% of heat loss in a home and not all windows are made equally. Energy-star rated windows are rated for four different climate zones, taking into consideration the heating and/or cooling needs of that zone. Selecting the right windows or doors for your climate will help ensure that they offer the most energy-efficient solution for your location.

2. What Kind of wall and attic insulation is installed?

Effective wall and attic insulation slows the rate of heat flow from the house. Properly installed insulation materials with a high R-rating can offer considerable savings of up to 20% in heating or air-conditioning bills.

3. Does the home have a high-efficiency furnace?

Older style furnaces with standard pilot lights can waste up to 35% of the fuel the use. A more modern condensing furnace has closer to 90% efficiency, and may save you as much as 27% on your heating bill.

4. How efficient is the hot water system?

Modern energy-efficient homes now include "on demand" hot water circulating loops that use a small pump to accelerate the delivery of hot water around the home. These are activated when you turn on a faucet and turn off when the hot water reaches the fixture. This can save enormous amounts of water-reheating energy as well as electricity for recirculating.

5. What about energy-star rated appliances?

An average size old refrigerator costs $50-100/year to run. A similar sized energy-star rated fridge costs as little as $30-60/year. Replacing a dishwasher manufactured before 1994 with an energy-star appliance can save at least 41% less energy and much less water than conventional dishwashers. Products saving 15% or more in energy savings now carry the Energy Star logo.

The best way to find all these features is to look for an Energy Star-rated home. Owners of Energy Star homes enjoy lower running costs, better performance, greater comfort and the opportunity to know they are helping to protect the environment.