NBN Online for the week of February 25, 2008

Builders Cited for Cutting-Edge Approach to Energy Efficiency

Winners of this year’s EnergyValue Housing Awards (EVHA) demonstrate how builders are using advanced energy-efficiency technologies to tap into the exploding market demand for green building.

Presented on Feb. 13 in Orlando by the NAHB Research Center, the awards recognize builders who successfully demonstrate innovative approaches to energy-efficient construction and voluntarily integrate energy efficiency into the design, construction and marketing of their new homes.

Now in its 13th year, the EVHA program was also created to educate the housing industry and the public about emerging and advanced technologies that can be used and marketed by mainstream builders.

EVHA winners select framing methods, insulation and appliances that result in high efficiency — paying careful attention to air sealing, ductwork, resource efficiency and ventilation as well. Energy-saving practices employed by the winners’ homes include high R-value insulation in ceilings and walls, photovoltaic solar power systems, creative uses of passive solar design, geothermal heating and ENERGY STAR appliance packages.

Winners in affordable, custom, production and multifamily markets for hot, moderate and cold climate regions were selected for showcasing best practices that put them at the forefront of energy-efficient construction.

Gold Award-winning Aspen Homes of Colorado, of Loveland, Colo. was named the Builder of the Year. EVHA judges noted the company’s 100% ENERGY STAR and Built Green participation, impressive mix of innovative techniques, guaranteed energy bill and use of wind energy as standouts among the entries. Aspen Homes has demonstrated its commitment to improving housing performance by adopting exceptional standards of energy-efficient and environmentally-responsible construction and voluntarily participating in local green programs.

In addition to Aspen Homes, the 2008 EnergyValue Housing Award winners are:

Gold

• Cherokee Investment Partners, LLC — Raleigh, N.C.
• Ferrier Builders, Inc. — Fort Worth, Texas
• Fireside Home Construction — Dexter, Mich.
• Stitt Energy Systems — Rodgers, Ark.
• Veridian Homes — Madison, Wis.
• Wilshire Homes — Houston

Silver

• The Cohousing Company — Nevada City, Calif.
• Community Housing Partners — Christiansburg, Va.
• John Wesley Miller Companies — Tucson, Ariz.
• Pardee Homes — Los Angeles
• R Godfrey Homes — Glen Rose, Texas
• Sustainable Development, Inc. — Salem, Ore.
• Veridian Homes — Madison, Wis.

Added in 2006, the popular “People’s Choice” award was given to Stitt Energy Systems.

Bob Jones, NAHB’s vice president/treasurer, and John Mizroch, principal deputy assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy for the U.S. Department of Energy, were co-keynoters for the ceremony.

EVHA judging was completed by a panel of energy-efficiency experts in the fields of engineering, residential energy, construction, design and marketing. Winners were selected based on their homes’ energy value; design; construction methods and processes; marketing and customer relations efforts; and their ability to demonstrate an understanding of a whole-house, systems-design approach.

“EVHA winners are pioneers in their fields and the level of innovation and home design this year is outstanding,” said Michael Luzier, president of the NAHB Research Center. “Clearly, the home building industry’s efforts to expand energy efficiency and green building have taken hold and will continue to make a positive difference for future generations.”

The EVHA program is managed by the NAHB Research Center, and operated in partnership with NAHB and the U.S. Department of Energy through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Award sponsors include Broan-NuTone, LLC, BuildingGreen, Inc., SEISCO International, The Vinyl Institute and Whirlpool Corporation.