Meadows at Yaphank Developer Wins Prestigious ENERGY STAR 2012 Partner of the Year Award from EPA

April 27, 2012 - PRLog -- YAPHANK, NY – The developer of  The Meadows at Yaphank, a planned sustainable mixed-use community on 322 acres in Yaphank, NY, has been given high honors by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C. for its commitment to protecting the environment and promoting the ENERGY STAR program.

AVR Homebuilders was one of only two residential developers in the nation to be honored recently by the EPA as a 2012 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year – New Home Builder.

AVR, which is one of the region’s leading home building companies, was recognized by the EPA for its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the construction of ENERGY STAR-certified homes. The prestigious national award was presented to the Yonkers, NY-based company at a ceremony held on March 15 in Washington, D.C.

The Meadows at Yaphank is a mixed-use, master planned sustainable community that will feature a mix of 850 residential units, retail, office/flex space, restaurants and hotel.

AVR has designed The Meadows at Yaphank with the environment in mind. Located within the Compatible Growth Area of the Central Pine Barrens, The Meadows at Yaphank complies with the more restrictive guidelines of the Pine Barrens Act and the high standards AVR abides by in every project it builds. All construction on the site will utilize, where possible, energy efficient and water conservation techniques.

All homes built at The Meadows will be ENERGY STAR-certified. Critical elements in the design of the master planned community geared to minimizing its environmental impact include retention of natural open space, innovative groundwater protection features, improved wastewater treatment, as well as energy-efficient design. For more information about The Meadows at Yaphank, visit http://www.MeadowsAtYaphank.com.

An ENERGY STAR partner since 2006, AVR was honored by the EPA for its work in building energy-efficient new homes that meet ENERGY STAR guidelines. To date, AVR has built a total of 374 ENERGY STAR-certified homes in the New York metropolitan region.

The 2012 Partner of the Year award winners were selected from approximately 20,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program. AVR, which won in the New Home Builder category, joins a host of major national and international corporations recognized by the EPA for their participation in the ENERGY STAR program including PepsiCo, General Motors, Boeing, Toyota, Samsung Electronics, 3M, Sharp Electronics, Merck and Colgate-Palmolive.

“As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the ENERGY STAR program, EPA is proud to recognize AVR Homebuilders with the 2012 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award for New Home Builders,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “AVR Homebuilders and all our ENERGY STAR award winners are building an energy-efficient future for America’s families by developing ENERGY STAR-certified homes that reduce energy costs and protect the environment.”

Mark Eickelbeck, Chief Operating Officer of AVR Homebuilders, said, “We are greatly honored to be recognized by the U.S. EPA as one of the nation’s leaders in the design and construction of energy-efficient homes. This award is a tremendous achievement for our company and is a testament to our ongoing commitment to building quality homes that are environmentally friendly and energy efficient.” He added, “AVR is proud to provide extra value to our customers by building energy-efficient homes that earn the ENERGY STAR certification. Homes built to ENERGY STAR standards are more comfortable, plus they ensure long-term savings on energy bills while protecting the environment.”

Mr. Eickelbeck noted that ENERGY STAR-certified homes use substantially less energy for heating, cooling, and water heating. Homeowners in ENERGY STAR-certified homes can expect to save about $200-$400 annually on their utility bills. 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.

The goals and objectives of the ENERGY STAR program are implemented throughout every phase of the design and construction of ENERGY STAR Homes built by AVR which include high-efficiency features that conventionally built homes don’t have. The home’s exterior shell is made as airtight as possible using advanced framing techniques, and a combination of spray foam, rigid and batt insulation. Energy-efficient windows and doors are installed, along with additional caulking and sealing of all the joints and seams. Each ENERGY STAR Home built by AVR features high-efficiency heating and cooling systems with their own fresh air supply from the exterior which makes a more efficient and healthier home.

Other important features included in ENERGY STAR Homes built by AVR are whisper green bathroom fans in every unit to help the home breathe and ventilate to the outside, and a complete water management system to protect the roof, walls, and foundation from water damage. The home is completed with installation of the required ENERGY STAR-certified lighting and appliances.

The final and crucial step in building an ENERGY STAR Home is an independent energy inspection conducted by a home energy rater certified by the EPA. When a home passes inspection, the results are printed on a familiar blue ENERGY STAR sticker that is presented to each homeowner.

AVR was recognized by the EPA for working with a “Home Energy Rater” to provide technical training for construction staff and subcontractors to ensure that its staff understands ENERGY STAR construction methods and quality controls.

The EPA also lauded AVR’s efforts in ensuring that its sales staff is well trained and fully versed on ENERGY STAR-certified homes. AVR sales personnel are trained to conduct hardhat tours of home models and to be able to point out the benefits of ENERGY STAR certified homes throughout the building process.

AVR Homebuilders, which is a division of AVR Realty Company, LLC, currently has six active home development properties, all of which are located in the greater New York metropolitan area and will be built to ENERGY STAR standards. In addition to The Meadows at Yaphank, the communities include:

Hudson Landing, a mixed-use master planned community with 1,750 residential units on over 500 acres of Hudson River waterfront property in Kingston, NY. www.hudsonlanding.com

Southampton Meadow Estates, a planned community of 48-single-family homes on 52 acres in Southampton, NY. www.southamptonmeadowsestates.com

Overlook Pointe, featuring a total of 263 condominiums and townhomes on the Hudson River waterfront in West Fishkill, NY. http://www.overlookonthehudson.com

Powell Cove Estates, a 202-unit condominium development being built on the East River waterfront in North College Point, Queens, NY. http://www.powellcoveestates.com

Valeria, a planned 147-unit townhome community in the Westchester community of Cortlandt Manor, NY. www.valerialuxuryliving.com

About AVR Realty
For more than 45 years, AVR Realty has built a reputation for identifying intrinsic real estate value in a wide range of properties. To date, AVR has built, acquired, and developed more than 30 million square feet of commercial and residential space. AVR's portfolio includes office complexes, shopping centers, corporate and industrial properties, apartment complexes, residential communities and hotels. For more information, visit www.avrrealty.com