Sustainable energy company earns award for second year in a row for protecting the environment through energy efficiency
MORRISVILLE – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today it has named Southern Energy Management (SEM) a 2008 National ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for its outstanding contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through its work as a Home Energy Rater. SEM also received the prestigious EPA Partner of the Year award in 2007, and joins a short list of companies in the U.S. that have received the award two years in a row. SEM’s accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on April 1.
The 2008 Partner of the Year Awards are given to a variety of organizations to recognize their contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by promoting energy-efficient homes in their community. Award winners are selected from more than 9,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.
“It’s quite an honor to receive this national award for the second consecutive year, and we’re excited about the important work still ahead of us,” said Dan McFarland, director of builder services at SEM. “We look forward to continuing to partner with builders and developers in the Carolinas and Virginia to achieve even greater market penetration for ENERGY STAR homes in 2008 and beyond.”
ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy aimed at helping Americans save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. The ENERGY STAR label on a new home means it has been inspected and verified to be at least 15 percent more efficient than the typical new home, using substantially less energy for heating, cooling, and water heating while saving homeowners about $200-$400 annually on their utility bills.
SEM, an ENERGY STAR partner since 2004, is one of four companies nationwide being honored for their work in qualifying new homes to earn the ENERGY STAR. As the predominant ENERGY STAR provider in the greater Triangle and Charlotte metro areas, SEM inspected/certified more than 1,250 new homes and served more than 160 builders across the state in 2007.
As a result of partnering directly with builders and developers, SEM has played a critical leadership role in transforming the market for energy efficient new homes in North Carolina. In addition to providing the evaluation, testing, and independent verification required for ENERGY STAR homes, SEM has led the market through education, outreach, collaboration, training and marketing the ENERGY STAR program to builders, developers, realtors and consumers.
“ENERGY STAR qualified homes would not be widely available to American home buyers without partners like Southern Energy Management,” said Robert J. Meyers, principal deputy assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air & Radiation. “With the knowledge and expertise that leading Home Energy Raters like Southern Energy Management provide, we are rapidly increasing the number of homes that offer families the best in efficiency, comfort and durability – all while protecting the environment.”
Currently over 5,000 builders across the nation are constructing homes that meet EPA’s guidelines for energy efficiency, and more than 750,000 families now live in ENERGY STAR qualified homes. Last year alone, Americans with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved $16 billion on their energy bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 27 million vehicles.
