2007 Media Releases & Alerts
EnergyValue Housing Award Honors Builders for Energy-Efficient Design and
Construction
Winners of Industry's Top Award for Energy-Efficient Home Building Combine
Integrated Design Approaches with Cutting-Edge Technology
February 8, 2007, Orlando, Fla. - Recognizing builders who have
voluntarily integrated energy efficiency into the design, construction, and
marketing of their new homes, the NAHB Research Center announced the winners of
its annual EnergyValue Housing Award (EVHA) at a banquet in conjunction with
the 2007 International Builders' Show (IBS). Ten winners were honored for
successfully showcasing integrated design approaches, environmentally-friendly
practices, and advanced building techniques that have put them at the forefront
of energy-efficient construction.
Now in its 12th year, the EVHA program not only recognizes energy-efficient
practices, but also serves to educate the home building industry and the public
about advanced technologies and successful approaches to energy-efficient
construction that can now be implemented by mainstream builders. EVHA winners
select framing methods, insulation, and appliances that result in high
efficiencies, paying careful attention to air sealing, ductwork, and
ventilation as well. Advanced practices among the 2007 EVHA winners' homes
included high R-value insulation in ceilings and walls, photovoltaic (PV) solar
power systems, innovative air sealing and duct practices, fluorescent lighting,
and solar hot water heating systems.
Lorraine Bolsinger, vice president of Ecomagination for General Electric Company
(GE), keynoted the ceremony. Ecomagination is GE's company-wide initiative to
address global environmental challenges and aggressively bring to market new
technologies that will help meet pressing environmental issues such as the need
for cleaner, more efficient sources of energy, reduced emissions, and abundant
sources of clean water. Bolsinger manages the entire program across GE, uniting
marketing, sales, environment, health, and safety leaders to meet the goals of
the initiative, and of the company.
The EVHA targets home builders in affordable, custom, factory-built, production,
and multifamily markets for hot, moderate, and cold climate regions. The 2007
EnergyValue Housing Award winners are:
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Gold |
Silver |
Honorable Mention |
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Veridian Homes - Builder of the Year
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Aspen Homes of Colorado, Inc.
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Ferrier Builders, Inc.
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Grupe Homes
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LivingHomes
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Yavapai College
* winner in two categories
|
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Bob Ward Companies
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Fireside Home Construction
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Holton Homes, Inc.
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LivingHomes
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Gary W. Dorris, Inc./ Dorris Construction
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The 2007 EVHA for Builder of the Year was presented to Veridian Homes, of
Madison, Wis. EVHA judges noted the company's long history with the ENERGY STAR
program, impressive mix of innovative techniques, and use of energy-efficient
mortgages for more than 50 percent of its homes. Veridian has demonstrated its
commitment to customer satisfaction by adopting exceptional standards of
energy-efficient and environmentally-responsible construction and has received
several other industry honors for environmentally-conscious business practices
and quality home building techniques. The company devotes time and resources to
land development, habitat restoration, and water conservation because it
believes in "building with the environment, not against it."
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 a whole-house, systems design approach.
Added in 2006, the popular "People's Choice" award was given to Fireside Home
Construction of Dexter, Mich.
"The innovation of our award-winning builders this year is outstanding,"
remarked NAHB Research Center president, Michael Luzier. "We are excited about
the progress the EVHA program has made. Clearly, the home building industry's
efforts to expand awareness of energy efficiency and environmental
consciousness are taking hold, and these innovative professionals are leading
the way."
The EVHA program is managed by the NAHB Research Center, and operated in
partnership with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the U.S.
Department of Energy through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Award
sponsors include Broan-NuTone, LLC, BuildingGreen, Inc., MicroTherm, Inc.,
Superior Walls of America, U.S. GreenFiber, and The Vinyl Institute. For more
information on the EVHA program, contact
Dr. Kevin Mo, program manager, (800) 638-8556, ext. 6210.
2/07
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