PHOENIX, Apr 02, 2008 -- BUSINESS WIRE

Dozens of Arizona builders are joining the APS ENERGY STAR Homes Program, representing more than 22,300 residences that are - or soon will be - built at higher energy efficiency standards.

Because of this, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) have selected APS as a 2008 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year; the only Arizona utility so honored. Last year, APS also was selected a Partner of the Year for its success with the compact fluorescent lighting program.

ENERGY STAR homes are built to be at least 15 percent more efficient than standard homes. Over the next 20 years, the energy savings from the APS ENERGY STAR Homes committed into the program are projected to save customers more than $61 million in energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 500 million pounds. The program savings are equivalent to the energy needed to power more than 40,000 homes for a year. Another way to look at the program savings is that for every 200 families that buy an APS ENERGY STAR Home instead of a standard home, enough energy is saved to light every home in Payson for a year.

"Partners such as APS are raising the bar for energy efficiency by teaching customers that their decisions can make a difference," said Robert Meyers, principal deputy assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. "APS is doing an excellent job working with ENERGY STAR to transform the market for energy efficiency products, services, homes and programs that help Americans save money and protect the environment." APS received the ENERGY STAR award on Tuesday in Washington.

Tom Hines, APS program manager, said, "Increasingly, Arizona builders are incorporating energy saving features and building techniques into their new homes; and the bottom line is that homeowners benefit, and so does our environment."

Last year nationally Americans saved $16 billion on their energy bills with the help of ENERGY STAR and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 27 million vehicles, according to the EPA.

APS' Homebuilder Representative Sandy Lockard said, "APS ENERGY STAR Homes meet or exceed strict EPA ENERGY STAR high efficiency standards. A certified independent contractor tests the homes to ensure they perform efficiently,"

An ENERGY STAR home includes tight construction, properly installed insulation, right-sized heating and cooling systems, fresh air ventilation and energy-efficient windows, which combined, can add up to hundreds, if not thousands of dollars per family in energy savings, according to Lockard.

The APS ENERGY STAR program, launched in July 2006, includes builders from Phoenix, Flagstaff, Florence, Buckeye, Prescott, Casa Grande and Yuma. Customers may log onto to aps.com. to find out more about the program and participating builders.

The APS ENERGY STAR Homes Program is paid for by APS customers and approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission.

APS, Arizona's largest and longest-serving electric utility, serves more than 1.1 million customers in 11 of the state's 15 counties. With headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the principal subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corporation (NYSE:PNW).

SOURCE: APS

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