All News Releases By Date

EPA TO SHOWCASE ARIZONA ENERGY STAR-LABELED HOMES

Release Date: 4/19/2001
Contact Information: Wendy L. Chavez, U.S. EPA, 415/744-1588

     SAN FRANCISCO   The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, together with 17 Phoenix- area home builders and other ENERGY STAR partners will showcase more than 50 Arizona communities with ENERGY STAR labeled homes on April 21 to educate the public on ways to save on energy costs and cut pollution when building a new home.

     The Arizona Showcase of ENERGY STAR labeled homes is the result of collaboration between the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy, together with Fannie Mae, Southwest Gas, D.R. Wastchak LLC, Certain Teed, and Phoenix-area builders.

     ENERGY STAR-labeled homes use 30 percent less energy than a standard home built to the model energy code by including energy-efficient heating and cooling equipment, tightly sealed ducts, properly installed insulation and high-performance windows into the home's design.  These features can reduce a homeowner's energy cost by $400 or more a year.

     "At a time when consumers are struggling with the rising cost of energy, ENERGY STAR- labeled homes use less energy, save money, and help protect the environment by reducing air pollution,"  said Laura Yoshii, acting regional administrator for the EPA's Pacific Southwest office.  "ENERGY STAR partners across Phoenix, including many competitor builders, have come together in the name of energy efficiency.  This partnership effort sets an example for communities across the nation to follow."

     Most energy used to power homes comes from the burning of fossil fuels, which contributes to urban smog, acid rain and global climate change. The EPA expects the annual pollution prevention from ENERGY STAR-labeled homes built over the next 20 years to equal the elimination of emissions from half a million cars.

     There are almost 30 ENERGY STAR product categories available to consumers, including heating and cooling equipment, appliances, consumer electronics, computers, office equipment, and home lamps and lighting fixtures.
                           
     The ENERGY STAR program is a joint effort between the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy to provide consumers with a simple way to identify cost effective, energy efficient homes, products and buildings.

     Additional information on Arizona ENERGY STAR-labeled homes is available at
http://www.arizonaenergystarhomes.com or for additional information on ENERGY STAR, visit
http://www.energystar.gov.