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The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) recently named Haven Properties as its
Energy Star 2006 Partner of the Year, honoring the Atlanta builder’s
outstanding contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs)
by building energy-efficient homes. Haven Properties is the first
Georgia homebuilder to commit to building 100 percent of its homes
to meet Energy Star requirements.
To qualify as an Energy Star home, newly constructed residences must meet the
EPA’s strict guidelines for energy efficiency. The homes are third-party
verified by the Southface Energy Institute to be at least 30 percent more energy
efficient than standard construction. This means homeowners can save hundreds
of dollars on their utility bills each year. Haven Properties currently has more
than 100 homes under construction throughout metro Atlanta, and all will qualify
for the prestigious Energy Star rating.
“Haven Properties is committed to building high-performance homes using
Energy Star and EarthCraft construction techniques,” said Mike Baptist,
president of Haven Properties. “Our homes have better indoor air quality,
minimized moisture intrusion, energy efficiency—all things that make homes
quieter and more comfortable to live in. On top of that, as the EPA points out,
we’re helping maintain a better environment for homeowners’ families
and ours in the coming generations.”
Haven Properties is one of some 8,000 organizations from around the nation participating
in the Energy Star program. More than 2,500 builders have constructed more than
500,000 Energy Star-qualified new homes, saving homeowners in excess of $110
million annually. Last year alone with the help of Energy Star, Americans saved
$12 billion on their energy bills, and enough peak energy to power 28 million
homes.
Through those savings, they avoided GHGs equivalent to those of more than
23 million vehicles. For its part, Haven Properties has constructed 176 Energy
Star homes in metro Atlanta since becoming an Energy Star partner in 2004.
Some of the energy-efficient features in a Haven-built home include highly efficient
HVAC systems and water heaters; upgraded insulation packages; tight construction
and ductwork; controlled ventilation; and high-performance windows.
“Energy Star homes come with important benefits for homeowners, and help
protect our environment,” said Kathleen Hogan, director of EPA’s
Climate Protection Partnerships Division. “We applaud Haven Properties’ efforts
to create a new generation of homes that offer efficiency, comfort and durability.”
Energy Star was introduced by the EPA in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership
to reduce GHGs through increased energy efficiency. Today, in partnership with
the U.S. Department of Energy, the program offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient
solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations.
More than 8,000 organizations are Energy Star partners committed to improving
the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses. (For more information
about Energy Star, visit www.energystar.gov.) |
