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Apple Blossom Insulators Joins U.S. Department of Energy as partner in new Builders Challenge

National building performance program to feature new E-Scale

 

Apple Blossom Insulators joined today with U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman as part of a new national energy-saving initiativeâ€"the U.S. Department of Energy's Builders Challenge. 

"For Apple Blossom Insulators, building high-performance homes has been a core business model for the last 4 years," said John Meeks, president of Apple Blossom Insulators. "We welcome this voluntary initiative for builders, and look forward to working with DOE to build consumer awareness of the benefits for buying highly energy efficient homes." 

The EnergySmart Home Scale, or E-Scale, serves as a tool for marketing energy-efficient homes.  Consumer interest has been increasing in the top energy-performing homes, and now there is a tool that clearly allows builders to differentiate their products in the marketplace.

"Apple Blossom Insulators believes it is possible to build new homes that are more efficient than code by 30 percent or better at little or no net cost," continued Apple Blossom Insulators."Achieving these efficiencies does require sophisticated design and installation techniques that go beyond standard industry practice, but the competitive advantage of these homes with their high quality means faster sales.  And, we believe this kind of high-performance building is the right thing for our nation, our natural environment, and our customers."

The Builders Challenge encourages U.S. home builders to adopt the E-Scale on a voluntary basis, and also to utilize best practices for home design and construction.  The initiative seeks to accelerate use of successful whole-house design and construction practices that have been developed and verified through DOE research in its Building America program.

About Apple Blossom Insulators

At AppleBlossom Insulators we are passionate about making a difference in energy conservation and committed to providing a warm, comfortable home and cost savings to homeowners.  With superior, all-natural insulation products made from post-consumer resources, and the latest air and duct sealing techniques and services we will help you save money and energy while "going green."  Our sustainable products are proven to be more effective than standard insulation materials, and our highly trained, professional staff provides an unparalleled level of service in commercial and residential installation.

AppleBlossom Insulators will help you save up to 40% on your energy costs - guaranteed!  Contact us today for your complimentary home assessment.

Based in Concord, NC, with additional offices in Pittsboro and a new location opening in Asheville,  AppleBlossom Insulators currently serves the greater Charlotte-Mecklenburg area and beyond, including the following counties:  Cabarrus, Union, Iredell, Gaston, Rowan, Durham, Orange, and Chatham.  Our service area is expanding, so please contact us for assistance in your area.

AppleBlossom Insulators' products are recommended by the Department of Energy and are part of the ENERGY STAR® program, and as we are a Building Performance Affiliate you can be assured our people are trained to the highest standards. Furthermore, we are authorized to offer this training to the general contractors, remodelers, and code officials.

About the U.S. Department of Energy's Builders Challenge

The U.S. Department of Energy has posed a challenge to the homebuilding industry - to build 220,000 high performance homes by 2012. Homes that qualify for the Builders Challenge must achieve a 70 or better on the EnergySmart Home Scale (E-Scale), meaning that they will use at least 30% less energy than a typical new home built to code. The E-Scale allows homebuyers to understand - at a glance - how the energy performance of a particular home compares with others.  Through the Builders Challenge, participating homebuilders will have an easy way to differentiate their best energy-performing homes from other products in the marketplace, and to make the benefits clear to buyers.

Through industry partnerships and existing programs, the Builders Challenge will promote the use of market-tested and cost-effective energy efficiency strategies.  The Challenge will support, recognize, and reward builders for achieving higher levels of energy efficiency.  DOE's goal is that, by 2030, new home buyers will have the option to buy a cost-effective Net-Zero Energy Home (NZEH) anywhere in the United States.  Learn more at: www.buildingamerica.gov/challenge.