2006 Media Releases & Alerts

For Immediate Release
Contact: Kimberly Warren

Judges Named for Prestigious EnergyValue Housing Awards

Six Residential Energy-Efficiency Experts to Preside Over Competition Recognizing the Energy-Efficiency Elite

July 6, 2006, Upper Marlboro, Md. - The NAHB Research Center today announced six judges have been selected for the 12th annual EnergyValue Housing Award (EVHA) program. Each year, the EVHA honors home builders who voluntarily incorporate energy efficiency into the design, construction, and marketing of new homes. One of the finalists is then selected as Builder of the Year. Now in its 12th year, the EVHA has become recognized as a signature home building industry event for the energy-efficiency elite.

The EVHA will be presented during the 2007 International Builders' Show (IBS) in Orlando in the affordable, custom, factory-built, production, and multifamily categories for hot, moderate and cold climate regions. Entries will be reviewed by the six-member judging panel, which includes a mix of new and returning judges specializing in the fields of engineering, residential energy, construction, design, and marketing. The application process requires immense detail, making the feedback that applicants receive from the judging panel one of the most beneficial parts of the review process. Simply applying for the EVHA provides companies with unequalled access to the panel's expertise.

This year's judging panel includes:

  • Walt Auburn is a returning panelist who currently serves as assistant director of the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), and is responsible for the development and implementation of energy-efficiency programs in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. With MEA since July 2001, he has secured numerous federal Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency grants to educate Maryland consumers, businesses, and builders about energy efficiency. Auburn is certified as a RESNET Energy Rater and has been active in the energy arena for over 30 years through his work in a wide variety of energy, housing, and environmental management positions. As a returning EVHA judge, Auburn will undoubtedly provide the panel with valuable guidance and information on energy technology and energy-efficient construction.
  • Steve Baden is executive director of the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) and has over 27 years of experience in the residential energy-efficiency field, including 18 years working with home energy ratings and energy mortgages on both the state and national levels. In addition to his many years of experience, included among his credentials are "Lifetime Achievement Awards" from the U.S. Department of Energy and RESNET. Baden will enhance the judging process through his extensive experience with energy rating programs.
  • Judith Fosdick is the president of Tierra Concrete Homes, Inc. and an active voice for renewable energy and sustainable building practices. Fosdick participates in many industry associations, including the Southeastern Colorado Renewable Energy Society, and as a first-year judge will be invaluable in selecting laudable entries among this year's submissions. Her avocation is educating the public on green building principles, particularly passive solar design and high thermal mass construction. Fosdick also team-teaches workshops on designing low energy buildings using Energy 10- an analysis tool that illustrates the energy advantage of passive solar strategies. Tierra Concrete Homes has won a number of Gold and Silver EnergyValue Housing Awards, including Builder of the Year in 2002.
  • David G. Hales is a first-time EVHA judge who brings over twenty five years experience in building science and construction. In his current role as a building systems specialist with the Washington State University Energy Program, Hales provides technical assistance, curriculum development, training and demonstrations for utilities and the construction industry supporting energy-efficient design and construction. Hales' distinguished background in energy education includes a broad range of expertise in residential energy codes, home diagnostics, and sustainable construction and is a welcome addition to the 2007 judging panel.
  • Dr. Ali A. Jalalzadeh-Azar is a senior engineer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) where he currently supports the NREL Building America Program as a researcher and technical monitor. Since joining NREL in 2001, he has led the combined heat and power (CHP) research efforts and initiated and conducted numerous analytical and field studies on CHP and HVAC systems. Dr. Jalalzadeh received an ASHRAE Best Paper Award in 2004 and an ASHRAE Crosby Field Award in 2005 for two of his technical papers. Having previously served on the EVHA judging panel, Dr. Jalalzadeh brings continuity and experience to the EVHA program, and his extensive engineering background and knowledge of building energy performance will greatly benefit the program.
  • David Richmond is a returning EVHA judge with over 30 years experience in commercial and residential construction including the last 15 years exclusively involved in the field of energy-efficient residential design and construction. As a past president of the Energy and Environment Building Association (EEBA), Richmond is a strong advocate of the "systems" approach to energy efficient construction and has provided support to builders interested in incorporating the latest building science methods in their construction efforts.

Judging the EVHA is a two-part process. First, each judge independently reviews the applications. This process begins at the close of the application period, July 17, 2006. Second, the judges will meet as a group in early October to review the applications and select the winners. The announcement of the winning entries will remain embargoed until the presentation of awards at the 2006 IBS in Orlando.

About the Energy Value Housing Award: 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 previous winners visit www.nahbrc.org/evha or contact Dr. Kevin Mo, EVHA program manager, at 800-638-8556.

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07/06

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.