New Home Application & Overview
2011 EVHA Application for New Homes
The 2011 EVHA New Home Application is available for download in Microsoft Word
format.
2011 EVHA New
Home Application - Complete Document
Application Deadline Extended! Must
be postmarked by Tuesday, July 30, 2010.
Application Overview
The EnergyValue Housing Award (EVHA) recognizes builders who successfully
integrate energy efficiency into all aspects of new home production, as
exemplified by a specific home. Through educational programs and national media
coverage, the award promotes increased awareness of the value of energy
efficiency among home builders, homebuyers, and others within the new-home
market. In the past 15 years, builders from 41 states and the District of
Columbia have won 245 gold and silver awards.
The NAHB Research Center, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the National
Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and the National Association of Home
Builders (NAHB), invite you to enter the 16th Annual EnergyValue Housing Award
(EVHA) New Home competition.
BENEFITS OF APPLYING
-
Winners are recognized with an award at the 2011 EnergyValue Housing Award
Banquet during the 2011 International Builders Show held January 12-14, 2011,
in Orlando, Florida.
-
Each applicant can request up to TWO (2) complimentary tickets to the 2011 EVHA
Banquet.
-
Selected winners are featured on the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building
America website, NAHB’s Nation’s Building News, the NAHB Research
Center website, the 2011 EVHA Winner Magazine, and other selected
national publications.
-
Winners receive EVHA award logos and customized press releases for local
promotion and marketing.
-
Selected winners may be invited to share their success stories at workshops,
educational programs, or conferences.
-
Builders Challenge Evaluation - Houses submitted for the EVHA are also eligible
for Builders Challenge consideration if all required documents are submitted
with the EVHA application and other criteria are met. Builders Challenge
Qualified houses will receive the EnergySmart Home Scale at the EVHA banquet
(finalists) or by mail (non-winners).
ELIGIBILITY
-
All U.S. home builders and developers whose primary occupation is constructing
homes and/or developing real estate are eligible for participation. Applicants
need not be members of the NAHB or a local home builders association.
-
Previously submitted homes and models are ineligible; however, previous winners
may submit new homes and models.
-
Submitted homes must have been completed after January 31, 2008, and before
application submittal.
APPLICANT RESPONSIBILITIES
Applicants must be willing to share information with other builders through
various media and NAHB Research Center workshops, presentations, and
publications. Exceptions include proprietary information that must be clearly
identified on application materials.
CATEGORIES
For all categories, builders should demonstrate the integration of energy
efficiency into their general design, construction, and marketing practices.
Application information must be submitted for one specific home. The
award categories are as follows:
-
Affordable:
home targeted for customers at or below local Metropolitan Statistical Area’s
(MSA) median income, or first-time home buyers. Non-profit home builders are
encouraged to submit applications.
-
Custom/Demonstration:
home designed and built to owner’s specifications or as a “one-off” speculative
project, NOT intended to be replicated. A demonstration house may accept
donations and funds from government and/or private sector.
-
Production:
home design, construction, and marketing practices replicated, or intended to
be replicated, in multiple homes. Application information must be submitted for
one specific home.
-
Multifamily:
homes built under the International Building Code (IBC) or equivalent, which
are three stories or less.
-
Existing Home: an existing residence that has been
significantly retrofitted, remodeled, or renovated with specific focus on
energy included such as energy upgrades or energy improvements.
See Existing Home Application for more information.
CLIMATE REGIONS
For each category, winners are chosen from within the following climate regions:
-
Cold Climate
- Heating Degree Days (HDD) greater than 5,500.
-
Moderate Climate
- 3,000 to 5,500 HDD or HDD less than 3,000 and CDD less than 2,000.
-
Hot Climate - HDD less than 3,000 and CDD greater than 2,000.
The HDD (base 65° F) and CDD (base 65° F) for your nearest major city can be
found in Annual Degree Days to Selected Bases 1971-2000,
published by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
NAHB Research Center staff will review each application’s category and climate
region to ensure that the application was submitted in the most appropriate
category and climate region. The applicant will be contacted if the category or
climate region is to be changed.
EVHA BUILDER OF THE YEAR
Judges will choose one overall winner from the Gold Winners who best represents
energy value and the goals of the award program.
BUILDERS CHALLENGE
Throughout
its history, the EVHA program has continuously focused on higher levels of
residential energy performance by integrating a better understanding of
building science, new technologies and construction methods, and approaches to
green building into the judging criteria. The U.S. Department of Energy’s
Builders Challenge, introduced in 2008, became the latest call to the home
building industry to increase efficiency in homes by incorporating quality
criteria into energy-efficient home designs. The goal of Builders Challenge is
to build 220,000 high-performance homes by 2012.
For more information on the Builders Challenge and becoming a Builders Challenge
Partner visit
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/challenge.
Applications submitted with the EnergySmart Home Scale or that qualify for
Builders Challenge designation will receive points in the Energy Programs
judging criteria.
Houses submitted without the EnergySmart Home Scale will be eligible for
Builders Challenge evaluation provided:
-
The builder is registered as a
Builder Partner with the U.S. Department of Energy.
-
One copy of all REQUIRED
documentation and information is included with the EVHA application in a
separate packet labeled Builders Challenge.
-
The builder indicates a willingness to participate in the Builders Challenge
program through EVHA by completing the Builders Challenge request in the
EVHA application.
-
A copy of the Builders Challenge Qualification form is included with this
request. (The form can be printed from Energy Gauge or RemRate software used by
energy raters.)
Participation
in the Builders Challenge Program is OPTIONAL and does not guarantee winning an
EnergyValue Housing Award.
JUDGING
Judging will be based on the evaluation of criteria essential to the value of
energy efficiency in new home construction. Applicants will be measured
relative to a threshold based on previous winners as well as other applicants
within a specific category and climate region.
Applications are grouped with other applications in the same category and
climate region (e.g., homes in the Affordable category and Hot climate region
are judged together; homes in the Production category and Cold climate region
are judged together).
|
Category |
Climate |
|
Cold |
Moderate |
Hot |
| Affordable |
Gold winner
Silver winner |
Gold winner
Silver winner |
Gold winner
Silver winner |
| Custom/Demonstration |
Gold winner
Silver winner |
Gold winner
Silver winner |
Gold winner
Silver winner |
| Production |
Gold winner
Silver winner |
Gold winner
Silver winner |
Gold winner
Silver winner |
| Multifamily |
Gold winner
Silver winner |
Gold winner
Silver winner |
Gold winner
Silver winner |
| Existing Home |
Gold winner
Silver winner |
Gold winner
Silver winner |
Gold winner
Silver winner |
Winners may also be evaluated on their whole house energy performance by an
energy analysis conducted by the NAHB Research Center. The energy analysis
follows U.S. DOE Building America’s performance analysis procedures
(PDF).
A panel of energy-efficiency experts representing the disciplines of
engineering, construction, design, and/or marketing will judge each entry.
Judges will consider all available information to determine winners. Judges'
decisions are final.
Based on the sole discretion of the judges, awards will be made in categories
and climate regions in which there are qualified applicants. Numbers of Gold or
Silver winners are not limited and are solely decided by the judging panel. If
you have any questions about the different categories or climate regions,
please contact the EVHA program coordinator, Debra
Sagan, at (800) 638-8556 x6210.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Applications will be evaluated by the criteria below.
|
Evaluation Criteria |
Weight of Scores |
|
Custom Category* |
All Other Categories |
| Application Completeness: This criterion examines whether all
required materials are submitted and whether all referenced supporting
documents are furnished. |
5% |
5% |
| Energy Value: This criterion examines what makes the home more
energy efficient than code requirements or other homes in the local market. |
48% |
33% |
| Design: This criterion examines how energy efficiency is
considered during the design process. |
21% |
21% |
| Construction: This criterion examines management methods and
construction processes related to energy and resource efficiency. |
13% |
20% |
| Marketing & Customer Relations: This criterion examines
how energy efficiency is incorporated into marketing, customer relations and
customer education efforts: presentation of energy efficiency financing
opportunities: the use of incentives and rebates to promote energy efficiency. |
7% |
15% |
| Energy/Green Building Programs: This criterion documents the
certification of the EVHA entered home in energy/green programs, such
ENERGYSTAR, Builders Challenge, Local and National Green building programs,
etc. |
6% |
6% |
*Note: Homes
in the Custom category are weighted differently than homes in
other categories; less emphasis is placed on Marketing and Customer Relations,
while more emphasis is placed on Energy Performance.
The following chart was developed as a reference for the judging process to
guide in the evaluation of applications:
|
Score |
Meaning |
| 0 |
No information provided or Sub Par Practices |
| 1 |
Standard Practices used in Code Minimum Homes |
| 2 |
Standard Practices such as those found in Energy Star & Builders Challenge
Qualified Homes |
| 3 |
Above Standard Practices such as those found in Energy Star & Builders
Challenge Qualified Homes |
| 4 |
Above standard practices with the incorporation of some innovative practices
beyond what is typically found in Energy Star or Builders Challenge homes |
| 5 |
Exceptional use of innovation, planning, equipment integration, and
implementation that reflects a commitment to energy efficiency |
INSTRUCTIONS
To enter the EVHA, complete the
EVHA Application Form. The application form entails
filling-in-the-blank type questions, writing narratives, and attaching
supporting documentation.
It is recommended that a working paper copy of the application be completed and
all REQUIRED documentation compiled prior to completing the electronic
application. Please verify that all REQUIRED information is properly entered
into the form and that all documentation has been collected and properly
labeled. Applicants choosing to apply for the Builders Challenge, in addition
to EVHA, should refer to the instructions in the application.
The completed application must be submitted via email to:
evha@nahbrc.com. Please print a copy for your records and three copies
as requested below. You may request a copy of the application via email from
Debra Sagan via e-mail or phone
at (800) 638-8556 x6210.
To enter, complete the 2011 EVHA Application Form by responding to each judging
criteria. Please write or type your answers on the application form where space
is provided.
Responses to judging criteria should be relevant, accurate and concise.
Responses should describe practices while demonstrating an understanding of
energy efficiency.
-
Submit three (3) hard copies of each application.
-
Submit one (1) electronic copy of the completed application form to
evha@nahbrc.com. You will receive an application number for each
entry.
-
Submit one (1) signed copy of the Disclosure Statement for each application.
-
Submit one (1) copy of the checklist for each application.
-
Submit an application fee of $100 for each entry. Make checks payable to
the NAHB Research Center.
Applications and supporting materials should be presented neatly. REQUIRED
documents are necessary for judging. Failure to submit required documents will
result in a loss of up to 5 points for incompleteness. Applicants should decide
if they want to submit OPTIONAL materials. Clearly indicate where all
supporting information may be found in the application package (e.g., use
appendices or tabbed dividers, and reference them in the application text).
Sections should be clearly separated and labeled (inserted labels have a
tendency to drop out of the tabs in transit). Use of CDs or flash drives is
encouraged to minimize the size of the paper applications.
Use photographs, drawings, product literature, and other supporting material to
describe features and details when possible. Please use original materials
whenever possible. Photographs submitted with the application are subject to
use in media, therefore, higher resolution photos (at least 300 dpi) are
preferred. Please caption photos whenever possible and identify any persons in
the pictures.
Video files and informational CDs may be included. Energy efficiency features
shown in a photo should be clearly described on a separate sheet.
Label all supporting materials with company name and section number.
Visit this website frequently for news, event notices, and updates.
ENTRY DEADLINE
Application forms must be submitted electronically via email (evha@nahbrc.com)
no later than midnight eastern time, Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
Complete Entry packets including supporting materials must be postmarked by June
30, 2010 and received no later than Wednesday July 7, 2010.
A home entered under more than one category will be treated as separate entries
and must be clearly identified. Please submit a separate application,
supporting materials, and fee for each entry.
A company may submit only one entry in each category and climate region.
Entry materials are non-returnable and fees are non-refundable.
Please address inquiries and submissions to:
Debra Sagan, EVHA Program Manager
NAHB Research Center, Inc.
400 Prince George's Boulevard
Upper Marlboro, MD 20774-8731
tel. (301) 430-6210 or (800) 638-8556 x6210
fax. (301) 430-6180
Contact via e-mail
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