Energy Trust of Oregon will unveil the new Energy Performance Score at the Portland Home Builders Association’s 2009 Ultimate Open House New Home Tour April 18-19 and 25-26.
The new Energy Performance Score (EPS) displays the home’s energy consumption and related carbon dioxide emissions. An EPS helps homebuyers understand how a home will perform, and also allows them to comparison shop based on energy use, carbon impact and estimated energy savings. Energy Trust anticipates more than 35 Ultimate Open House show homes will receive the new Energy Performance Score.
Energy Trust will offer homebuyer education on the EPS in two showcase homes. The first home is Green Hammer Building Contractors’ LEED® Platinum home, which earned an EPS of 35 (as compared to an average home score in Oregon of 93), making it one of the most efficient homes on the tour. This home features innovative double wall construction plus high-efficiency windows, heating equipment and ventilation system.
The second showcase home is the Firenze house. The builder, Marnella Homes, has left portions of the home unfinished for the show, giving visitors a unique “behind the walls” view of the energy-efficiency features, including blown-in-blanket insulation and extensive air sealing practices, plus a peek at the high-efficiency heating, cooling, ventilation and water heating systems.
All builders whose homes receive an EPS will be promoted by Energy Trust in the show guide produced by The Oregonian. The guidebook will list and show locations for all the homes on the tour that have an EPS, are certified as Earth Advantage®, LEED for Homes, and ENERGY STAR®, or follow Metro’s Nature in Neighborhoods development practices.
Builders participating in Energy Trust’s New Homes program are eligible for cooperative marketing incentives for home show participation. They can also earn cash incentives to help cover costs for upgrading a home beyond code requirements, and verification fees.
If you are planning an open house—even if it’s not at the Ultimate Open House—and would like an EPS for the homes you build or to learn more about show home marketing support and program incentives, call Energy Trust trade ally coordinator, Andrea Magee, at 503-595-4466.
