RESNET, Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company have entered into an agreement to inform consumers of the benefits of energy efficient homes by marketing the home energy rating system (HERs) Index Score for newly constructed homes. All builders participating in the LG&E and KU Energy Saving New Homes Program will have all of their homes energy rated according to RESNET standards and market their homes’ HERS® Index through the partnership. Currently there are 85 builders participating in the program across the utilities’ service territory. The Energy-Saving New Homes Program offers rebates to builders who build high efficiency energy performance homes. The rebate amount is driven by the HERS® Index Score at which the home is rated. For single family homes, the rebate begins with $440 for a HERS® Index of 85 and goes up to $1,200 for a home that receives a HERS® Index Score of 50 or lower. Builders who participate in the Energy-Saving New Homes Program and who enter an agreement with RESNET as a RESNET Energy Smart Builder will be designated and marketed by LG&E and KU as “Program Active Energy Smart Builders” Through the agreement LG&E and KU is the first utility in the U.S. to be designated as A RESNET Energy Smart Program. Visit www.lge-ku.com/build to learn more about the LG&E and KU Energy-Saving New Homes Program. Bill Cooper, program manager of LG&E and KU’s Energy-Saving New Homes Program said the partnership brings benefits to both builders and consumers. “RESNET’s rating system provides a quantitative measure of energy efficiency and allows consumers to make more informed comparisons between homes. “We are proud to be designated by RESNET as the first Energy Smart Program in the nation.” Steve Baden, executive director of RESNET lauded LG&E and KU leadership for improving the energy performance of new homes. “Today’s new homes are much more efficient in comparison to homes built just a decade ago. These homes are more affordable to maintain, comfortable and have a higher value. Thanks to utilities like LG&E and KU, builders are increasing the energy performance of the homes they build. This is good for consumers, the environment and the local economy.”
