From: BUILDER
Posted on: August 25, 2009

10 Strategies to Increase the Energy Efficiency of Your Homes

Discover tactics that are guaranteed to work and won’t break the bank.

By:: Nigel F. Maynard

Credit: Courtesy: Whirlpool Corp.

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10. Install Energy Star appliances. No builder interested in efficiency should be installing anything less than Energy Star rated appliances. Period.

Why: Energy Star models exceed federal standards for energy and water use and are more efficient than older ones, thereby helping homeowners save money on their utility bills. Forget baseline models that meet the minimum standards and consult with www.energystar.gov for models that go beyond. For example, some dishwashers exceed government standards by 50%, while others beat them by 147%.

Cost: Varies.

Nigel Maynard is senior editor, products, at BUILDER Magazine.

Keywords

Subject: Energy Efficiency, Appliances, Construction, HVAC, Lighting, . . .
Person: Erla Dögg Ingjaldsdóttir, C. Joseph Vigil, Robert Jordan, . . .
Organization: Ed Binkley Design, EPA, Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, . . .

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John McManus

Standard Pacific Strides Into the Black in Q1

Builder Pulse

John McManus is an award-winning editorial director for the Residential Construction Group at Hanley Wood in Washington, D.C. In addition to the BUILDER digital, print, and in-person editorial and programming portfolio, the group includes strategic content direction for AFFORDABLE HOUSING FINANCE, APARTMENT FINANCE TODAY, CUSTOM HOME, EcoHome, MULTIFAMILY EXECUTIVE, and residential architect.

Standard Pacific released first-quarter earnings post market close last night that beat Wall Street analysts' posted predictions. After a near brush with death in 2008, and life-support from MatlinPatterson's real estate funds, Standard Pacific's strategic, operational, and tactical planning and execution are playing well in what continues to be an adverse market environment in most of its competitive arenas.