RALEIGH
Mar 15, 2012
In recognition of its effective consumer education and outreach efforts promoting energy-efficient homes, the North Carolina Energy Efficiency Alliance has won the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2012 ENERGY STAR Award for Excellence.
The award will be presented at ceremonies on Thursday (March 15) in Washington, which also marks the 20th anniversary of the ENERGY STAR program. The N.C. Energy Efficiency Alliance, an ENERGY STAR partner since 2010, is being honored for its outreach to consumers and work with home energy raters, builders, real estate brokers, appraisers and lenders on construction techniques, products, and verified homes that meet ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency.
The N.C. Alliance is based at Appalachian State University and primarily supported with federal Recovery Act funds distributed by the Energy Office in the N.C. Department of Commerce.
N.C. Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco said the N.C. Energy Efficiency Alliance has earned this well-deserved recognition. “Its work to educate and train those involved in the state’s real estate market – from builders and contractors to lenders and sales agents -- has brought a higher level of understanding and acceptance of the value of residential energy efficiency,” he said.
The 2012 Excellence in ENERGY STAR Promotion Award is given in recognition of efforts to improve consumer awareness of energy efficiency, reduce pollution, provide significant cost savings and raise awareness of the ENERGY STAR brand. Award winners are selected from among the 20,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.
“The North Carolina Energy Efficiency Alliance truly demonstrates how the leadership and commitment from EPA’s partners has made a difference in the lives of Americans since 1992, saving them billions of dollars in energy costs and improving the health of our families, the planet and our future,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson.
Chuck Perry, program manager for the N.C. Energy Efficiency Alliance, said the partnership with ENERGY STAR provides an important way to serve both consumers and industry professionals, showing them how energy-efficient ENERGY STAR Homes offer a high level of comfort, durability, and money savings, in addition to protecting the environment.
“We are committed to continuing to build this important partnership with ENERGY STAR and the state’s real estate and home building industry to promote energy efficient construction,” Perry said.
Over the past 20 years, American families and businesses have saved nearly $230 billion on utility bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to those from more than 350 million vehicles with help from ENERGY STAR.
Late last year, a study by the N.C. Alliance showed ENERGY STAR® homes sell faster and at a higher price per square foot compared to conventional homes. The study analyzed data for new homes built in 2010 in a five-county area around the Raleigh-Durham region of the state. The study showed that the ENERGY STAR label brings significant added value to homes beyond the well-known 15 to 30 percent savings on monthly utility bills.
The study compared ENERGY STAR homes to similar code-built homes. ENERGY STAR homes were shown to be a more profitable investment, selling for $2.99 more per square foot and up to 89 days faster than conventional homes.
About The North Carolina Energy Efficiency Alliance: The North Carolina Energy Efficiency Alliance was chartered in August 2010 with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding administered through the N.C. Energy Office. The Alliance is a partnership between Appalachian State University, The N.C. Solar Center, Advanced Energy, and Southern Energy Management. The Alliance’s mission is to expand energy efficiency in the construction industry through consumer education and industry collaboration across the region. For more information about the Alliance, visit www.ncenergystar.org or call 828-262-8331.
About ENERGY STAR: ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. About 20,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (888-782-7937).
The award will be presented at ceremonies on Thursday (March 15) in Washington, which also marks the 20th anniversary of the ENERGY STAR program. The N.C. Energy Efficiency Alliance, an ENERGY STAR partner since 2010, is being honored for its outreach to consumers and work with home energy raters, builders, real estate brokers, appraisers and lenders on construction techniques, products, and verified homes that meet ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency.
The N.C. Alliance is based at Appalachian State University and primarily supported with federal Recovery Act funds distributed by the Energy Office in the N.C. Department of Commerce.
N.C. Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco said the N.C. Energy Efficiency Alliance has earned this well-deserved recognition. “Its work to educate and train those involved in the state’s real estate market – from builders and contractors to lenders and sales agents -- has brought a higher level of understanding and acceptance of the value of residential energy efficiency,” he said.
The 2012 Excellence in ENERGY STAR Promotion Award is given in recognition of efforts to improve consumer awareness of energy efficiency, reduce pollution, provide significant cost savings and raise awareness of the ENERGY STAR brand. Award winners are selected from among the 20,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.
“The North Carolina Energy Efficiency Alliance truly demonstrates how the leadership and commitment from EPA’s partners has made a difference in the lives of Americans since 1992, saving them billions of dollars in energy costs and improving the health of our families, the planet and our future,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson.
Chuck Perry, program manager for the N.C. Energy Efficiency Alliance, said the partnership with ENERGY STAR provides an important way to serve both consumers and industry professionals, showing them how energy-efficient ENERGY STAR Homes offer a high level of comfort, durability, and money savings, in addition to protecting the environment.
“We are committed to continuing to build this important partnership with ENERGY STAR and the state’s real estate and home building industry to promote energy efficient construction,” Perry said.
Over the past 20 years, American families and businesses have saved nearly $230 billion on utility bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to those from more than 350 million vehicles with help from ENERGY STAR.
Late last year, a study by the N.C. Alliance showed ENERGY STAR® homes sell faster and at a higher price per square foot compared to conventional homes. The study analyzed data for new homes built in 2010 in a five-county area around the Raleigh-Durham region of the state. The study showed that the ENERGY STAR label brings significant added value to homes beyond the well-known 15 to 30 percent savings on monthly utility bills.
The study compared ENERGY STAR homes to similar code-built homes. ENERGY STAR homes were shown to be a more profitable investment, selling for $2.99 more per square foot and up to 89 days faster than conventional homes.
About The North Carolina Energy Efficiency Alliance: The North Carolina Energy Efficiency Alliance was chartered in August 2010 with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding administered through the N.C. Energy Office. The Alliance is a partnership between Appalachian State University, The N.C. Solar Center, Advanced Energy, and Southern Energy Management. The Alliance’s mission is to expand energy efficiency in the construction industry through consumer education and industry collaboration across the region. For more information about the Alliance, visit www.ncenergystar.org or call 828-262-8331.
About ENERGY STAR: ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. About 20,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (888-782-7937).