PORTLAND, Ore. - The first annual Northwest Energy Star® Homes Awards were held in Portland, Ore., to recognize the achievements of Northwest Energy Star builders and trade allies in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. Western Heating and Air Conditioning Inc., Boise, Idaho, took home the HVAC/Performance Testing Contractor award.

In 2006, 2,354 Northwest Energy Star Homes were built in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. There are currently 257 active Northwest Energy Star builders.

Homes earning the Energy Star label are at least 15 percent more efficient than homes built to standard state energy codes. Homes are performance-tested by a certified technician to confirm that efficient equipment is installed correctly for peak performance. A final endorsement takes place when an independent inspector certifies that all requirements are met to earn the Energy Star label.

For more information on Northwest Energy Star, visit www.northwestenergystar.com. The program is supported by the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA), a nonprofit organization working to encourage the development and adoption of energy-efficient products and services. For more information, visit www.nwalliance.org.

Publication date: 03/05/2007