Legend Homes earns award for building new homes that protect the environment through energy efficiency.
Portland, Oregon – Legend Homes 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 Legend Homes has made to energy-efficient construction and environmental protection by building more than 56 ENERGY STAR qualified homes last year. Collectively, these homes will save our customers approximately 25,000 on utility bills each year.
The environmental benefits of these ENERGY STAR qualified homes are equal to the equivalent of:
- Eliminating the emissions from 27 vehicles;
- Saving 166 lbs of coal;
- Planting 45 acres of trees; or
- Saving the environment 325 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.
“Our primary intention for producing our EarthSmart energy-efficient line of homes was to bring a higher level of energy efficiency and a sustainable-lifestyle benchmark to the mainstream,” said Jim Chapman, president of Legend Homes. “Ultimately, our goal was to redesign and right-size our homes to fit a more affordable, sustainable and efficient style of living, in addition to providing a precedent in order to help lead the homebuilding industry into the future.”
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.
“While other builders may claim to build energy-efficient homes, ENERGY STAR builder partners back it up,” said Jonathan Passe, Acting Manager for EPA’s ENERGY STAR Residential Branch. “Their houses undergo a rigorous independent inspection and testing process to ensure that they deliver real efficiency, comfort, durability, and value for homebuyers.”
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.
About Legend Homes
At Legend Homes, our goal is to provide you with more than just a solidly-built new home. Better plans, more standard features, a strong focus on energy conservation and efficiency and state-of-the art building practices are what drive Legend Homes to be the very best. And, as the proven market leader, Legend Homes is committed to providing the best new home value and the best home buying experience for our homebuyers. The history of Legend Homes is more than just the passage of time. The commitment, foresight, and craftsmanship that began more than 40 years ago is evident in the communities that thousands of Oregonians now call home. The guarantee of this legacy continues today in the new neighborhoods being built in the Portland metropolitan and Corvallis areas. At Legend Homes, our commitment to our homebuyers is simple and straightforward. We stand solidly behind every home we build. From our beautifully planned neighborhoods in choice locations, to the fine craftsmanship and materials used in every home, to the way we treat you before, during and after the sale, the Legend experience is …… legendary. Please visit www.LegendHomes.com for more information.
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).
