SummerHill Homes is proud of the recognition that we’re receiving for our commitment to energy efficiency.  We were recently recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with a 2009 ENERGY STAR Leadership in Housing Award. This award recognizes the important contribution SummerHill Homes has made to energy-efficient construction and environmental protection by building more than 296 ENERGY STAR qualified homes last year. Collectively, these homes will save our customers approximately $132,312 on utility bills each year.
The environmental benefits of these ENERGY STAR qualified homes are equal to the equivalent of:
• Eliminating the emissions from 145.04 vehicles;
• Saving 877,344 lbs of coal;
• Planting 239.76 acres of trees; or
• Saving the environment 1,720,648 pounds of CO2 per year.
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 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20–30% more efficient than standard homes.
“SummerHill is proud to be recognized by Energy Star for our efforts to build homes that reduce our impact on the environment,†said Robert Freed, president and CEO of SummerHill Homes, “we will continue to be innovative in our commitment to energy conservation and sustainable living.â€
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.
“Most homebuyers focus on what’s outside the walls,†said Sam Rashkin, National Director for EPA’s ENERGY STAR Homes Program, “but they also need to look behind the walls for the energy-efficient features found in ENERGY STAR qualified homes that help ensure comfort, quiet, improved indoor air quality, and low utility bills for years to come.â€
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. More than 12,000 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 (1-888-782-7937).