2008 Media Releases & Alerts

For Immediate Release
Contact: Kimberly Warren

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 13, 2008, Orlando, Fla. - In the midst of the green of green building explosion, a number of new home builders have included advanced energy-efficiency technologies among their arsenal of environmentally-friendly features. On Feb. 13, the NAHB Research Center presented a group of these builders with EnergyValue Housing Awards (EVHA), an honor presented annually at the International Builders’ Show in recognition of 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 not only recognizes best-in-class energy-efficient building practices, but also educates 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 efficiencies; paying careful attention to air sealing, ductwork, resource efficiency, and ventilation as well. Energy-saving practices among 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. The 2008 EnergyValue Housing Award winners are:

Gold Silver
  • Aspen Homes of Colorado, Inc.* – Loveland, Colo.
    *Builder of the Year
  • 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, Texas
  • The Cohousing Company – Nevada City, Calif.
  • Community Housing Partners – Christiansburg, Va.
  • John Wesley Miller Companies – Tucson, Ariz.
  • Pardee Homes – Los Angeles, Calif.
  • R Godfrey Homes – Glen Rose, Texas
  • Sustainable Development, Inc. – Salem, Ore.
  • Veridian Homes – Madison, Wis.

The evening’s awards brought together industry and government, highlighting the significance of sustainable housing in both arenas. Bob Jones, Vice President/Secretary of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and Alexander "Andy" Karsner, Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) were co-keynotes for the ceremony. NAHB is the industry’s leading advocate for residential green building and with its National Green Building Program is working toward a nationwide standard for defining green. On the government side, DOE is working to implement energy initiatives to confront the nation’s "addiction to oil" and accelerate change in environmental stewardship and energy efficiency in housing.

The award for "Builder of the Year" was presented to Aspen Homes of Colorado, of Loveland, Colo. EVHA judges noted the company’s 100 percent ENERGY STAR and Built Green participation, impressive mix of innovative techniques, guaranteed energy bills, 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.

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 Stitt Energy Systems of Rodgers, Ark.

Michael Luzier, President of the NAHB Research Center said, "EVHA winners are pioneers in their fields and the level of innovation and home design this year is outstanding. 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 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., SEISCO International, The Vinyl Institute, and Whirlpool Corporation.

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02/08

ABOUT THE NAHB RESEARCH CENTER: Located in Upper Marlboro, Md., the NAHB Research Center promotes innovation in housing technology to improve the quality, durability, affordability, and environmental performance of homes and home building products. Created over 40 years ago as a subsidiary of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the NAHB Research Center has established itself as the source for reliable, objective information and research on housing construction and development issues. Through its various testing and certification services, the Research Center seal is internationally-recognized as a mark of product quality and an assurance of product performance.

NOTE TO EDITORS ON STYLE USAGE: To identify this company and its work correctly, first reference should be "NAHB Research Center." If clarification of the acronym is necessary, the phrase, "a subsidiary of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)," can follow. In subsequent mentions, "Research Center" is the only acceptable and accurate alternative reference.