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2007 Media Releases & Alerts
Judges Named for 2008 EnergyValue Housing Awards
Six Residential Energy-Efficiency Experts to Preside Over Competition
Recognizing Nation's Top Energy-Efficient Home Builders
July 2, 2007, Upper Marlboro, Md. - The NAHB Research Center today
announced the selection of judges for its 2008 EnergyValue Housing Awards
(EVHA). Each year, home builders across the nation compete for the prestigious
award, which honors companies that voluntarily incorporate energy efficiency
into the design, construction, and marketing of new homes. The six-member panel
for 2008 includes a mix of new and returning judges specializing in the fields
of engineering, residential energy, construction, architecture, and design. Now
in its 13th year, the EVHA program not only recognizes energy-efficient
practices, but also educates the residential industry and the public about
advanced technologies and successful approaches to energy-efficient
construction that can be implemented by mainstream builders.
The EnergyValue Housing Awards will be presented during the 2008 International
Builders’ Show (IBS) in Orlando, Fla. in the affordable, custom, factory-built,
production, and multifamily categories for hot, moderate and cold climate
regions. This year's judging panel includes:
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Walt Auburn
is a long-standing EVHA judge 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.
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Judith Fosdick
, president of Tierra Concrete Homes, Inc. will return to judge the competition
for a second year. An active voice for renewable energy and sustainable
building practices, Fosdick educates the public on green building principles,
particularly passive solar design and high thermal mass construction, and
participates in many industry associations including the Southeastern Colorado
Renewable Energy Society. Fosdick also leads workshops on designing low energy
buildings using Energy 10— an analysis tool that illustrates the energy
advantage of passive solar strategies. Fosdick’s company, Tierra Concrete
Homes, is a former EVHA Gold and Silver winner, including Builder of the Year
in 2002.
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Amy E. Gardner
, AIA is a first-time EVHA judge who brings over 20 years experience in
architecture to the panel. A founding member of Maryland-based Gardner Mohr
Architects, Gardner is also an associate professor at the University of
Maryland School of Architecture and a faculty advisor for the university’s
Solar Decathlon team. Through her many industry affiliations and architectural
work, Gardner promotes planning and building with sustainable, integrated
design processes; and changing the way buildings are invented, designed and
built to inspire communities to live synchronistically with the environment.
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David G. Hales
is a returning EVHA judge who brings over 25 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.
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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 is a veteran EVHA
judge who brings continuity, an extensive engineering background, and knowledge
of building energy performance to the program.
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Barb Yankie is President of Homes +, Inc., an Ohio based
company established in 2000. This first-time EVHA judge provides energy
efficiency audits, ENERGY STAR ratings, infrared diagnostic surveys,
residential LEED certifications, and other testing services for residential and
commercial structures. Barb is a Certified HERS Rater, LEED Green Rater, and a
Level II Thermographer, with more than 15 years experience in the building
science/construction field. She has conducted training sessions for builders,
insulation, HVAC, and framing contractors, realtors, and others.
Following the close of the application period July 27, EVHA judges will
independently review and rank the entries. Finalists are selected based on
their homes’ energy value; design; construction methods and processes;
marketing and customer relations efforts; and their ability to demonstrate an
understanding a whole-house, systems design approach. The judging panel will
meet as a group in October to discuss their findings and select the winners, to
be announced at the 2008 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 visit www.nahbrc.org/evha
or contact Dr. Kevin Mo, EVHA program manager, at (301) 430-6210, or
via e-mail.
7/07
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