SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - GEHAN HOMES SAN ANTONIO DIVISION is pleased to announce that it has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with a 2011 ENERGY STAR Leadership in Housing Award. This award recognizes the important contribution GEHAN HOMES has made to energy-efficient construction and environmental protection by BUILDING more than 206 ENERGY STAR qualified homes last year. Collectively, these homes will save our customers approximately $92,082 on utility bills each year.
The environmental benefits of these ENERGY STAR qualified homes are equal to the equivalent of:
- Eliminating the emissions from 100.94 vehicles;
- Saving 610,584 lbs of coal;
- Planting 167 acres of trees; or
- Saving the environment 1,197,478 pounds of CO2 per year.
To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes are at least 20% more efficient than standard new homes built today.
Jeff McVean, Division President for GEHAN HOMES San Antonio is quoted as saying, "We are extremely proud to offer ENERGY STAR Certified homes to our customers. At GEHAN HOMES, we feel it's important to offer value, comfort, and to do our part to help protect the environment. Our customers recognize this to be a smart investment."
ENERGY STAR qualified homes offer homebuyers all the features they want in a new home, plus energy-saving features like effective insulation systems, high performance windows, tight construction and ducts, properly-sized and installed efficient heating and cooling equipment, efficient products, and third-party verification of energy performance.
"The value you get from an ENERGY STAR Qualified Home goes far beyond energy efficiency," said Sam Rashkin, National Director for EPA's ENERGY STAR Homes Program. "ENERGY STAR Qualified homes provide more comfort, durability, and a healthier environment than homes built to code. On top of that, they're tested and inspected to perform."
Last year alone, with the help of ENERGY STAR and partners, Americans saved about $18 billion on their utility bills and avoided greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those
of 33 million vehicles. Nearly 1.2 million ENERGY STAR homes have been built in the United States since the program first began labeling homes in 1995.
Earlier this year, Gehan Homes earned the top award for Volume Builder in Texas, from the Texas Association of Builders. The prestigious statewide award is given to honor the best builder in Texas for 50+ homes built in one year. Gehan Homes also earned the Best Product Design award for home design in the $250,001 to $325,000 range.
About GEHAN HOMES
As a Top 100 Home Builder based in Texas, family-owned Gehan Homes has a 20-year history of helping Texas homebuyers achieve the dream of home ownership. With award-winning designs, quality craftsmanship, smarter floor plans and competitive pricing, every Gehan Home is built with a limited 10-year warranty. Gehan Homes is headquartered in Dallas-Fort Worth with offices in Houston, Austin and San Antonio. To learn more, go to www.gehanhomes.com.
About ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 126,000 new homes were constructed to meet ENERGY STAR guidelines in 2010, by partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).
