LG&E and KU Recognize 2010 Top-Performing Program Partners

A competitive trend is growing among local builders in Kentucky to earn the ENERGY STAR^®-qualified accreditation and construct more energy-efficient homes.

Louisville Gas & Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company recently recognized the best-of-the-best within the companies’ service territories during the Midwest Regional ENERGY STAR Conference held in Lexington. The utilities honored eight local builders and two home energy raters for their outstanding contributions to the local ENERGY STAR-qualified housing market and “excellence in energy efficiency” in 2010.

“We’re proud to support our local building partners and ENERGY STAR-qualified home construction in the Commonwealth. These homes are more energy efficient, which means lower maintenance, lower energy use and lower energy bills,” said Bill Cooper, LG&E and KU Energy-Saving New Homes Program Manager.

The utilities recognized three builders and two HERS raters for introducing the most homes with at least a 25-percent efficiency code or higher into the LG&E and KU service territories in 2010.

The winners in each category are:

   Chris Zitelli of Ecos Materials and Services, HERS Rater, Multi-Family Homes,
   LG&E and KU
   Shawn Purcell of MetroFirst, LLC, HERS Rater, Single & Multi-Single Family Homes,
   LG&E and KU
   HPI Construction LLC, Builder Partner, Multi-family Homes, LG&E
   Monsour Builders, Builder Partner, Single & Multi-Single Family Homes, LG&E
   TMW Construction, Builder Partner, Single & Multi-Single Family Homes, KU

In addition, the utilities also recognized six builders and one HERS rater for having the most energy-efficient, highest performing ENERGY STAR-qualified homes available on the market in the LG&E and KU service territories.

The winners in the “Best Scoring Home” category are:

   Shawn Purcell of MetroFirst, LLC, HERS Rater, LG&E and KU
   Dominion Homes, Production Builder, LG&E
   HPI Construction LLC, Multi-Family Builder Partner, LG&E
   Kimbel Construction Inc., Custom Builder, LG&E
   Mike Oney Builders, Custom Builder, LG&E
   Ball Homes LLC, Production Builder, KU
   Scates Builders LLC, Custom Builder, KU

Since February 2009, more than 1,400 ENERGY STAR-qualified homes have been built within the LG&E and KU service territories. The estimated energy savings achieved through more efficient construction standards from 1,400 homes are the equivalent of planting 1,134 acres of trees and reducing 8.1 million pounds of carbon dioxide per year.