(Orlando FL) Ashton Woods Homes - Florida is pleased to announce that it has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with a 2012 ENERGY STAR Leadership in Housing Award. This award recognizes the important contribution Ashton Woods Homes - Florida has made to energy-efficient construction and environmental protection by building more than 463 ENERGY STAR certified homes last year.
The environmental benefits of these ENERGY STAR certified homes are equivalent to:
• Eliminating the emissions from 226.87 vehicles;
• Saving 1,372,332 lbs of coal;
• Planting 375.03 acres of trees; or
• Saving the environment 2,691,419 pounds of CO2 per year.
From an energy-savings perspective, collectively, these energy-efficient new homes will save Ashton Woods’ homeowners approximately $206,961.00 on utility bills each year.
Lance Gilmet, Vice President of Operations for the Florida division commented that “This recognition by the EPA is a welcome confirmation of Ashton Woods’ long standing commitment to building the highest quality homes.
For almost a decade we have been building energy efficient homes in Florida that provide comfort and livability while at the same time respecting the responsibility we all have to be good stewards of our environment. We will continue to push the envelope and strive to be a leader in the industry,” added Mr. Gilmet.
ENERGY STAR qualified homes offer homebuyers all the features they want in a new home, plus energy-saving features like effective insulation systems, high performance windows, tight construction and ducts, properly-sized and installed efficient heating and cooling equipment, efficient products, and third-party verification of energy performance.
“ENERGY STAR builder partners offer new homes that are designed and built to standards well above most others on the market today” said Jonathan Passe, Director of EPA’s ENERGY STAR Residential Branch. “Because ENERGY STAR certified homes undergo rigorous independent inspections and testing, homebuyers who choose ENERGY STAR can be confident that their new home will offer real energy efficiency, comfort, durability, and value for years to come.”
To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes are at least 20% more efficient than standard new homes built today.
Interested homebuyers can visit the Ashton Woods Homes website and view ENERGY STAR qualified energy-efficient homes for sale.
About Ashton Woods Homes
Ashton Woods Homes is one of the nation’s largest private homebuilding companies, with operations in Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Killeen, Orlando, Phoenix, San Antonio, Raleigh and Tampa. For more information, visit http://www.ashtonwoodshomes.com.
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. Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov.
