2005 Media Releases & Alerts

For Immediate Release
Contact: Kimberly Warren

EVHA Judging Panel Finds Exemplary Practices, Raising the Bar for Home Energy Performance

November 28, 2005, Upper Marlboro, Md. - The NAHB Research Center today announced the names of the 18 builders selected as finalists for the 2006 EnergyValue Housing Awards (EVHA) program. Recognized industry-wide as a signature event for the energy-conscious building community, the EVHA honors home builders who voluntarily incorporate energy efficiency into the design, construction, and marketing of new homes. A panel of energy-efficiency experts representing the engineering, construction, design, and marketing fields served as judges and selected the finalists based on their homes' energy value; design; construction methods and processes; marketing and customer relations efforts; and their ability to demonstrate an understanding of how all parts of the home come together in a whole-house systems design approach.

EVHA winners will be unveiled at the 2006 International Builders' Show (IBS) in Orlando, in the affordable, custom/demonstration, factory-built, production, and multifamily categories for hot, moderate, and cold climate regions. Award designations include gold, silver, and honorable mention, with one builder earning the distinguished "Builder of the Year" award. This year, is the first time EVHA winners will remain anonymous until the evening of the ceremony. In addition, a "People's Choice" recognition has been included, allowing the public to select its favorite home design from among the finalists. An online voting ballot is available until the day prior to the ceremony, with the formal announcement of award designations held exclusively until the evening of the EVHA ceremony on January 11, 2006. Award winning architect and author, Sarah Susanka will keynote.

The caliber of EVHA applicants proves to be more exceptional each year, raising the bar still higher for energy-efficiency performance. Entries not only focused on well-integrated systems design, but also on the use of high-efficiency equipment and construction techniques. Judges acknowledged this year's finalists as leading-edge builders of world class projects; citing features such as efficient air sealing and duct treatments, pre-construction energy analysis, and excellent Home Energy Rating Score (HERS) scores. EVHA finalists for 2006 rated an average HERS of 91.7, which is approximately 60 percent more efficient than the Model Energy Code requirements. By meeting or exceeding milestones established in previous years, the 2006 EVHA finalists have set themselves apart, adding value to their businesses, their customers' homes, and the environment. EVHA finalists for 2006 hail from 12 states and are as follows:

Builder Name Location
AndersonSargent Custom Builder, LP Waxahachie, Texas
Applegren Construction, Inc. Grand Forks, N.D.
Aspen Homes of Colorado, Inc. Loveland, Colo.
Big Horn Builders, Inc. Boulder, Colo.
Chisholm Creek Development, LLC Enid, Okla.
Chuck Miller Construction, Inc. Hidden Springs, Idaho
The Cohousing Company Berkeley, Calif.
Ence Homes St. George, Utah
Ferrier Builders, Inc. Ft. Worth, Texas
Fireside Home Construction Dexter, Mich.
Palm Harbor Homes Addison, Texas
Pardee Homes Los Angeles, Calif.
Skyline Homes, Inc. Lincoln, Neb.
Stitt Energy Systems, Inc. Rogers, Ark.
Sunterra Homes, Inc. Bend, Ore.
Tierra Concrete Homes, Inc. Boone, Colo.
TJ Bednar Homes Tucson, Ariz.

EVHA is coordinated by the NAHB Research Center in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). For more details on EVHA and to purchase ceremony tickets, or to vote for the "People's Choice" award, visit www.nahbrc.org/evha or contact Dr. Kevin Mo, EVHA program manager, at 800-638-8556, or via email.

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11/05

The NAHB Research Center, located in Upper Marlboro, Md., promotes innovation in housing technology to improve the quality, durability, affordability, and environmental performance of homes and home building products. Created over 40 years ago as a subsidiary of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the NAHB Research Center has established itself as the source for reliable, objective information and research on housing construction and development issues. Through its various testing and certification services, the Research Center seal is internationally-recognized as a mark of product quality and an assurance of product performance.

NOTE TO EDITORS ON STYLE USAGE: To identify this company and its work correctly, first reference should be "NAHB Research Center." If clarification of the acronym is necessary, the phrase, "a subsidiary of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)," can follow. In subsequent mentions, "Research Center" is the only acceptable and accurate alternative reference.