Builders Recognized for Building the First ENERGY STAR Homes
in Western New York

Four local builders will be honored at the Niagara County Builder's Association's annual dinner on Wednesday, May 9th at the Alps Restaurant on Military Road in Niagara Falls at 6:30 pm. David Homes, Inc., Blackley Homes and Land, Mordeno General Construction Co., and Piotrowski Builders, Inc. will receive recognition for building the first NYSERDA approved ENERGY STAR labeled homes in Western New York.

President William M. Flynn of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) will present the builders with incentive checks for being the first builders in Western New York to build a New York ENERGY STAR labeled home. Across the State, NYSERDA is working with the New York State Builder's Association to increase the number of ENERGY STAR builders and homes. New York ENERGY STAR labeled homes will meet energy performance criteria and ventilation standards, so you are guaranteed a comfortable, safe, and durable home.

"Through the leadership of Governor Pataki, NYSERDA is implementing the New York ENERGY STAR Labeled Homes Program to ensure that all New York residents are provided with the opportunity to spend their hard-earned money on a healthy, safe, comfortable, durable, and energy-efficient home." said William Flynn, president of NYSERDA.

"The New York State Builder's Association is proud to work with NYSERDA in bringing ENERGY STAR programs to the builders of New York State. ENERGY STAR is good for the building industry, for homeowners, for the environment, and good for all of New York State," said Philip LaRocque, executive vice president of the New York State Builder's Association.

New York ENERGY STAR labeled homes use 30% less energy than those built to federal energy code standards. Reduced energy usage means monthly savings on your home's energy costs -- as much as $500 a year. These homes are not limited in any way regarding the style the homeowner chooses to build. The homeowner just needs to specify that they would like the home built to meet ENERGY STAR standards. The builders meet these standards by ensuring the home's energy performance, using methods such as installing high efficiency heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and highly-efficient ENERGY STAR windows, as well as using better insulation materials and practices.

A number of lending institutions offer Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs) to purchasers of New York ENERGY STAR labeled homes. These lenders have incorporated various incentives into their EEM products. Features of an EEM can include: a debt to income ratio stretch of 2%; discounts on closing costs; discounts on or payment of home energy rating costs; interest rate deductions; and waiving of other fees.

Another way to save even more money is to equip your home with ENERGY STAR labeled products. ENERGY STAR qualified dishwashers, clothes washers, refrigerators, TVs, computers, and light fixtures use 15% to 75% less energy than standard products without sacrificing any of the quality of features you'd expect with today's modern technologies.

NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation, supports research to develop technologies that help New York save energy and reduce emissions. NYSERDA also helps New York State businesses develop energy and environmental products, commercializing the type of high-value-added products that give New York State businesses a real chance to compete in the expanding global marketplace. In addition, NYSERDA helps New York State businesses, residents, and municipalities identify and implement cost-effective energy efficiency measures the lower operating costs and reduce environmental emissions.

For more information on NYSERDA and its programs please refer to our web site at www.nyserda.org, www.GetEnergySmart.org or call 1-877-NYSMART.