More than one-fourth of new Colorado homes are ENERGY STAR

More than one-fourth of new Colorado homes are ENERGY STAR

SEPT. 28, 2009

The Governor's Energy Office (GEO) announced today that ENERGY STAR New Homes accounted for more than 26 percent of the new homes built in the first half of 2009 in Colorado. Market penetration for efficient ENERGY STAR New Homes (ESNH) continues to grow in Colorado, a sign that homebuilders are a strong partner in Colorado's New Energy Economy.

Should 2009's strong start for ENERGY STAR New Homes hold up for the rest of the year, Colorado would see its fifth consecutive year of percentage increases in homes that qualify as ENERGY STAR. Since 2004, the market penetration of ENERGY STAR New Homes has increased from 4.2 percent to 19.4 percent in 2008.

"This shows the commitment of Colorado's homebuilders - and homebuyers - to our New Energy Economy," said GEO director Tom Plant. "Even in a challenging housing market, these results show that contractors are building with energy efficiency in mind and embracing the promise of ENERGY STAR New Homes."

The results also show strong quarter-by-quarter gains over previous years. For instance, Q1 2009 had twice as many homes (32.4 percent) qualify as ENERGY STAR than in Q1 2008 (16.4 percent). The most recent results from Q2 2009 show a 9 percent increase over the same quarter in 2008, up to 22.3 percent from 13.3 percent.

"In Southwest Colorado the momentum toward building ENERGY STAR New Homes is moving toward the tipping point," said Greg Mantell-Hecathorn, president of Durango-based Mantell-Hecathorn Builders, Inc. and the Homebuilders Association of Southwest Colorado. "ENERGY STAR New Homes provides the name recognition and 3rd party testing that home buyers value and trust."

Homes meeting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR label are typically 20 to 30 percent more efficient than standard homes, improving quality and comfort while reducing energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

Earlier this year, the GEO announced a long slate of new partnerships with homebuilder associations, community organizations, businesses, utilities and local governments across the state in a major push to support the construction of ENERGY STAR New Homes and advance the New Energy Economy in Colorado.

Recent efforts teaming the GEO and its regional partners for 2009 include more training programs, rebates and mortgage interest rate discounts designed to increase construction of new homes that meet the standards for the EPA's ENERGY STAR label.

Included in the efforts are recent partnerships pairing the GEO with five Colorado Homebuilder Associations, (HBA):, HBA of Northwestern Colorado, Mountain to Mesa HBA, Housing & Building Association of Colorado Springs, HBA of Northern Colorado, and HBA of Metro Denver. The GEO awarded $37,250 in grant funding to the five associations to support ENERGY STAR New Home training programs for homebuilder and industry members.

For more information on Colorado ENERGY STAR New Homes visit www.coloradoenergystarhomes.com