New Energy Efficiency Video Resources on our Website

The NCEEA has some exciting new videos in our Resource tab.They include:

• A consumer targeted video on what homeowners should look for when buying a new home.
• An 8 step video series that demonstrates the pre-construction best practices that allow builders, raters, and trade contractors to successfully participate in an ENERGY STAR version 3 new home build.
• Highlights from the Real Estate CE Training in Asheville.
• 2012 NC Energy Code video created by the Department of Technology and Environmental Design at Appalachian State University that summarizes important changes to the new Energy Code.

All of the videos can be found here. Please feel free to share these videos and 

help spread the word on energy efficient homes!

EPA RECOGNIZES the North Carolina Energy Efficiency Alliance WITH 2012 ENERGY STAR AWARD for EXCELLENCE IN ENERGY STAR® PROMOTION

North Carolina Energy Efficiency Alliance earns award for protecting the environment through energy efficiency   [Partner name] earns award for protecting the environment through energy efficiency 

Boone, NC; March 1, 2012 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named the North Carolina Energy Efficiency Alliance as a winner of a 2012 ENERGY STAR Award for Excellence in ENERGY STAR Promotion for its outstanding contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by sponsoring significant consumer education efforts promoting energy-efficient homes. The accomplishments of the North Carolina Energy Efficiency Alliance will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 15, 2012, which marks the 20^th anniversary of ENERGY STAR.

The North Carolina Energy Efficiency Alliance, an ENERGY STAR partner since 2010, is being honored for their work in promoting construction techniques, products, and third-party verified homes that meet ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency.

The North Carolina Energy Efficiency Alliance (NCEEA) has excelled in stakeholder education, bridging communication gaps between lenders, appraisers, real estate brokers, home builders, HVAC contractors, and home energy raters. Their educational efforts have been highlighted by energy efficiency seminars offering continuing education credits to diverse groups of industry professionals in North Carolina, as well as the development and delivery of individual workshops and technical consultation for Alliance members upon request. In addition, the NCEEA has implemented a strategic direct-to-consumer education and outreach campaign that has reached millions of consumers across North Carolina and the surrounding region. Never before has an organization taken such a comprehensive approach to support the infrastructure of the home building industry in an effort to expand energy efficiency across the state. 

“The North Carolina Energy Efficiency Alliance’s partnership with ENERGY STAR is an important way for us to serve both consumers and industry professionals, showing them how energy-efficient ENERGY STAR Homes offer a high level of comfort, durability, and money savings, in addition to protecting the environment,” said Chuck Perry, Program Manager for the NCEEA. “We are committed to continuing this important partnership to promote energy efficient construction, both in North Carolina and across the country.”

Over the past 20 years, American families and businesses have saved nearly $230 billion on utility bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to those from more than 350 million vehicles with help from ENERGY STAR.

The 2012 Excellence in ENERGY STAR Promotion Award is given to a variety of organizations in recognition of their efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution, resulting in significant cost savings. Award winners are selected from about 20,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.

“As we celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the ENERGY STAR program, EPA is proud to recognize The North Carolina Energy Efficiency Alliance with the 2012 ENERGY STAR Award for Excellence in ENERGY STAR Promotion,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “The NCEEA and all our ENERGY STAR award winners truly demonstrate how the leadership and commitment from EPA’s partners has made a difference in the lives of Americans since 1992, saving them billions of dollars in energy costs and improving the health of our families, the planet and our future.”

 

About The North Carolina Energy Efficiency Alliance About [Partner]

The North Carolina Energy Efficiency Alliance is a grant funded organization chartered in August of 2010 with ARRA funding administered through the NC Energy Office. The Alliance is a partnership between Appalachian State University, The NC Solar Center, Advanced Energy, and Southern Energy Management. The ongoing mission of the Alliance is to expand energy efficiency in the construction industry by way of consumer education and industry collaboration across the region. To help support this continued effort, to become an NCEEA member, or to learn more about the Alliance visit www.ncenergystar.org or reach them by phone at 828-262-8331.  

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Now celebrating its 20^th anniversary, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. About 20,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

The NCEEA 2012: Moving the Industry Forward

Over the past 18 months the North Carolina Energy Efficiency Alliance (NCEEA) has successfully achieved many of its founding goals that were initiated in the fall of 2010.  A strong network of NCEEA partners and home energy raters has supported homebuilders and home energy raters in the construction of over 2,800 new ENERGY STAR Homes in North Carolina.  This success can be attributed in part to a strategic direct-to-consumer education and outreach campaign that has reached thousands of potential new home buyers in NC. In addition, the organization has grown to a membership of over 600 individuals and businesses passionate about energy efficiency while reaching over 4,000 contacts monthly with industry updates. 

Another layer of the NCEEA’s success is attributed to the multiple trainings that have been developed to overcome the market barriers of energy efficiency in the housing industry. REALTORS, lenders, and appraisers have benefited from CE trainings that have focused on trends in energy efficient construction, proper marketing and valuation techniques as well as specific challenges and recent changes in their professions. The NCEEA has also sponsored free half-day workshops and 3-day comprehensive HVAC trainings that focus on proper system sizing, duct design, installation and testing protocols. These trainings have been vital in bridging the gaps in communication between industry professionals and helping HVAC contractors understand the ENERGY STAR V3 program.

As the NCEEA looks forward to 2012, it hopes to continue these educational opportunities and consumer outreach efforts to transform the new home industry while expanding its mission to make existing buildings more efficient.  The NCEEA will continue to support the ENERGY STAR V3 Program while adding new high-efficiency standards like the optional NC HERO Code, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR, verified Home HERS label homes and Green Certified Homes. 

 The NCEEA has been funded through an ARRA grant which will be ending this spring.  Transitioning from a federal funded organization to a sustainable, industry-supported Alliance is an immediate focus in the spring of 2012.  As stakeholders in the industry, we encourage you to collaborate with us in this movement to raise consumer awareness, provide educational opportunities for professionals, and transform the construction industry throughout the state.  Your contribution to this effort has never been more important than right now!  Please visit the NCEEA website for more information, join us on Facebook, or email us at info@ncenergystar.org to show your support for energy efficiency in North Carolina!

Second Annual NCEEA Summit Held February 22nd

The second annual NCEEA Summit convened on February 22^nd at the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, NC.  A great cross-section of home builders, home energy raters, allied organizations, and other industry stakeholders were in attendance to hear about many of the new happenings related to energy efficiency in North Carolina.  Some of the highlights included:

• A panel discussion that covered hot topics in the lending, appraisal, and real estate industries.

• James McLawhorn and Jack Floyd from the Public Staff of the North Carolina Utilities Commission discussed cost-effectiveness the history of utility incentives in the state.

• Lorrie Maggio from Progress Energy Carolinas shared details of the utility’s pending new residential incentive structure that will replace the Home Advantage Program.

• Chuck Perry highlighted many of the recent activities and accomplishments at the NCEEA.

•  Amber Stewart, the keynote speaker from ICF International, spoke about marketing and messaging for ENERGY STAR v3.

• Jeff Tiller from Appalachian State University discussed the 2012 NC Energy Code and showed the first release of a new video produced to highlight the significant changes in the code.

Jeff Tiller speaking at the Summit

There were a lot of great questions from the audience throughout the day that stimulated excellent dialogue.  Thanks again to all the presenters and participants who offered valuable feedback and direction for the NCEEA in the coming year.  We look forward to more highlights in 2013 as we continue this great momentum!

NCEEA Video - Raising the Efficiency Bar

Watch this video brought to you by the Department of Technology and Environmental Design at Appalachian State University and learn about the 2012 NC Energy Code, and the changes it brought to the previous code version.
Click here for the link.

Real Estate & Mortgage Lending Professionals, Why Should You Promote Energy Efficiency?

The NCEEA is dedicated to providing outreach and education to stakeholders of the home building industry, enabling them to promote their businesses and properly inform consumers about the benefits of energy efficient homes. Mortgage lenders, real estate brokers, and appraisers are three vital stakeholders in the home building industry and provide numerous invaluable services for the prospective home buyer.  These industry professionals have a direct line of communication with the potential home buyer and can facilitate consumer understanding of the importance of energy efficiency in home construction.  The benefits of homes constructed to high efficiency standards equate to immediate energy savings, long term cost savings, and ultimately provide consumers with a more durable and comfortable home.  When all members of the building industry work together obstacles to energy efficient construction can be overcome while simultaneously increasing consumer demand, and ultimately leading to market transformation.

Recognizing the value of energy efficient construction is beneficial not only to the consumer, but also to the vitality of the mortgage and real estate industries. But keeping up with current trends in green building and high-performance homes is certainly a challenge.  North Carolina has an updated energy code in 2012 that requires new homes to be at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built last year, or up to 30% more efficient with the optional HERO appendix. The national landscape is changing, as well, with strict new standards for ENERGY STAR qualified homes.  The NCEEA has some exciting new trainings underway that will help real estate professionals understand these changes, learn how to benefit from them, and receive continuing education credits. These free trainings (a small fee for CE credits) are offered across the state starting January 26^th and running through the beginning of March. Visit the NCEEA website for more information and to register.