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Homebuyers and Builders Reap Many Energy Savings Benefits with the Massachusetts New Homes with ENERGY STAR(R) Program

Posted on: Monday, 30 March 2009, 07:32 CDT

LEXINGTON, Mass., March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Stretching each dollar is top priority in today's economy, which is why so many in Massachusetts are seeking energy-efficient new homes. Massachusetts New Homes with ENERGY STAR Program assures homebuyers that ENERGY STAR qualified homes meet strict energy efficiency guidelines, lower utility bills and provide more comfortable living spaces. The Program is sponsored by the following local utilities and energy efficiency service providers: Bay State Gas, Berkshire Gas, Cape Light Compact, National Grid Gas and Electric, New England Gas, NSTAR Electric and NSTAR Gas, Renewable Energy Trust and Western Massachusetts Electric Company.

"The Program not only provides homebuilders with technical expertise and generous incentives to achieve ENERGY STAR, it provides homeowners the assurance their dream home will be energy-efficient, cost effective, and environmentally friendly," states Brian Kearney, Residential Project Manager for NGRID.

ENERGY STAR qualified homes are designed, built and performance tested to offer enhanced comfort and energy savings. These homes are at least 15 percent more efficient than homes simply built to Massachusetts Residential Building Code. Homes that have earned ENERGY STAR certification are tested to ensure they meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's performance guidelines for energy efficiency.

The benefits to homebuyer and homebuilders are many. For starters, homebuyers who choose ENERGY STAR qualified homes achieve energy savings through reliable building technologies, resulting in hundreds of dollars in annual energy savings. Additional savings on maintenance also can be significant. ENERGY STAR homes provide a much more comfortable living environment with temperatures consistent throughout every season--including frigid Massachusetts winters. In addition, by using less energy, ENERGY STAR qualified homes reduce the amount of air pollution generated.

Homebuilders who construct homes that meet energy efficiency requirements also benefit. Through the Massachusetts New Homes with ENERGY STAR Program, homebuilders are eligible for monetary incentives based on the final performance of the home that is verified by a certified HERS Rater. And, because ENERGY STAR has become the signifying brand of energy efficiency that consumers trust, homebuilders will want to take advantage of the marketing tools and assistance the Program offers to help sell ENERGY STAR qualified homes.

To participate in the Massachusetts New Homes with ENERGY STAR Program, homebuyers can choose to work with ENERGY STAR partnering homebuilders. Homebuilders may apply for the Massachusetts New Homes with ENERGY STAR Program by contacting 800-628-8413 to pre-qualify.

For more information, call 1-877-E-STAR-MA (378-2762) or visit www.massenergystarhomes.com.

SOURCE Massachusetts New Homes with ENERGY STAR Program

Source: PR Newswire

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