Air News Release (HQ): EPA Announces Energy Star Homes Reach Nearly 17 Percent Market Share for 2008
*CONTACT: *Enesta Jones jones.enesta@epa.gov 202-564-7873 202-564-4355 *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE *July 2, 2009 *EPA Announces Energy Star Homes Reach Nearly 17 Percent Market Share for 2008 **" Quarter Billion Dollars in Annual Utility Savings for Energy Efficient Homes "*" "*WASHINGTON* - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that nearly 17 percent of all single-family homes built nationally in 2008 earned EPA's Energy Star label, up from 12 percent in 2007. Both home builders and home buyers are continuing to invest in high performing homes that save consumers money on their utility bills and help protect the environment. "Every year more Americans decide to cut their energy bills and help keep the air clean in their communities by buying a new home that has earned EPA's Energy Star. Features like properly installed insulation, high-performance windows and high efficiency heating and cooling can reduce home energy needs by 20 to 30 percent, saving American families thousands of dollars on their utility bills," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "Even in a difficult market, the interest in Energy Star qualified homes keeps rising. We're helping builders and homebuyers to protect the environment, safeguard our health, and move the country into a low-carbon energy future." In addition, market share for Energy Star qualified homes was 20 percent or greater in 15 states in 2008, including Ariz., Colo., Conn., Hawaii, Iowa, Ky., Nev., N.H., N.J., N.Y., Ohio, Okla., Texas, Utah, and Vt. Nearly 940,000 Energy Star qualified homes have been built to date, with more than 100,000 of these constructed in 2008. In 2008 alone, American families living in Energy Star qualified homes locked in annual utility bill savings of more than $250 million -- saving over 1.5 billion kWh of electricity and 155 million therms of natural gas while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of nearly 350,000 cars annually. To earn the Energy Star label, homes must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by EPA. Typically they include energy-saving features such as: o Effective Insulation Systems o High-Performance Windows o Tight Construction and Ducts o Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment o ENERGY STAR Qualified Lighting and Appliances More information about Energy Star qualified homes: http://www.energystar.gov/HomesMarketIndex R196 " " View all news releases related to air issues [ http://service.govdelivery.com/service/edition.html?code=USAEPA_16&format=Web&email_type=bulletin ] ________________________________________________________________________ EPA Seal You can view or update your subscriptions or e-mail address at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page [ https://service.govdelivery.com/service/user.html?code=USAEPA ]. All you will need is your e-mail address. If you have any questions or problems e-mail support@govdelivery.com for assistance. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [ http://www.epa.gov/ ]. Sent by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency . 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW . Washington DC 20460 . 202-564-4355