Excel Homes, Certified Energy Raters to Provide Turnkey Energy Star Certification Program

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Energy efficiency and cost saving benefits are two features home builders and consumers are looking for these days. But the process to ensure your new home is built to certified ENERGY STAR levels can be confusing and time consuming for all parties involved. Excel Homes, the nation’s largest custom modular home manufacturer and a certified ENERGY STAR partner, is now helping builders and their customers manage this process to better support the environment in a way that benefits everyone’s bottom line.

Excel Homes will now offer builder partners a single-source, turnkey energy rater consultant service option, Certified Energy Raters, LLC. Certified Energy Raters will meet with builders directly to review blueprints and make energy efficiency changes to help to ensure compliance. Consultations between Excel Homes and builders to review ENERGY STAR options and cost saving benefits will be based on individual floor plans, blueprints and customization features. These services will also extend beyond the home builder to the various subcontractors and staff members also working on the project.

These services will cover the three essential steps to complete a Blue Label ENERGY STAR home: the pre-plan home design review; Grey Label inspection at the Excel manufacturing site; and Green Label on-site testing for final ENERGY STAR certification.

With this option, home builders working with Excel Homes may qualify for various tax incentives and deductions available to commercial and residential home builders constructing energy efficient buildings, which have recently been extended through 2009 as part of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.

“We know our builders strive to build energy efficient homes for their customers,” said Steve Scharnhorst, president and CEO of Excel Homes. “But now more than ever, everyone is also focused on their bottom line. Our custom building process, ENERGY STAR Package and turnkey Home Energy Rater package provide the highest quality products and services and help our builder partners successfully complete projects that meet efficiency and design standards, at a cost that supports their bottom line and competitive edge.”

Excel’s energy rater consultants will also work with builders to attain an ENERGY STAR rating certification and showcase the cost saving benefits and potential tax credit incentives. Excel Homes will also work directly with Certified Energy Raters to make sure all homes for builders selecting this option are manufactured to meet all recommended criteria.