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EPA Recognizes K. Hovnanian for Its Commitment to Building Energy Efficient Homes

Release Date: 02/13/2003
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(#03012) MIDDLETOWN, N.J. - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today commended New Jersey's largest homebuilder for its role in supporting the improvement of energy efficiency in homes. Jane M. Kenny, EPA Regional Administrator, presented the award to K. Hovnanian Companies at its ENERGY STAR Laurel Greene townhouse community in Middletown, New Jersey. To date, K. Hovnanian has built more than 1,000 homes according to ENERGY STAR guidelines. “ENERGY STAR is a great way for each of us to make a change -- one that will protect the environment, save money and use less energy," said Regional Administrator Jane Kenny. "K. Hovnanian is building more than homes; they are building a cleaner environment." All ENERGY STAR labeled homes are certified by an independent third party to meet EPA's strict guidelines for energy efficiency. To earn the ENERGY STAR Label, a home must be verified to be at least 30 percent more energy efficient in its heating, cooling and water heating than a comparable home built to meet 1993 building codes. These homes are also15 percent more efficient than required by the state energy code. ENERGY STAR homes cost less to live in because utility bills are lower. More than 3,000 builders across the U.S., about 100 of them in New Jersey, offer ENERGY STAR homes. Already, more than 100,000 ENERGY STAR homes have been built nationwide, saving their owners more than $25 million a year. K. Hovnanian has been building homes across the state that qualify for a ENERGY STAR rating, the statewide program that recognizes energy efficiency. The residences range from estate homes as large as 6,000 square feet to garden, town and carriage homes smaller than 1,500 square feet. "We're pleased to offer our home buyers the benefits of ENERGY STAR," said Joe Riggs, region president of K. Hovnanian Companies. "For almost 50 years, K. Hovnanian has earned a reputation for building quality homes. Meeting the Energy Star criteria was simply the next step. It's the way of the future, and we'll continue to look for ways to improve our homes." "K. Hovnanian Companies' leadership role in providing energy efficient housing sets the standard for the rest of the homebuilding community in New Jersey," said Mark MaGrann, principal of MaGrann Associates, Mt. Laurel, an energy/building engineering firm, and implementing contractor for the utility-sponsored ENERGY STAR Homes program in New Jersey. The ENERGY STAR label also helps consumers identify nearly 40 different products that meet exemplary energy efficiency performance guidelines. These products include home appliances, lighting, windows, consumer electronics and office equipment. EPA estimates that last year alone, Americans with the help of ENERGY STAR saved the energy required to power 10 million homes and reduced air pollution equivalent to taking 12 million cars of the road, while saving $6 billion on energy bills. For more information on ENERGY STAR and its benefits, go to www.energystar.gov. For more information on K. Hovnanian, go to their Web site.