M/I Homes earns leadership in housing award
M/I Homes, recently honored as a leader in building energy-efficient homes, is offering housing options in many Chicag0-area communities. Pictured are the townhomes at Easton Park in Carol Stream. | SUPPLIED PHOTO
M/I Homes has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with a 2012 Energy Star Leadership in Housing Award.
This award recognizes the important contribution M/I Homes has made to energy-efficient construction and environmental protection by building more than 158 Energy Star-certified homes in suburban Chicago during 2011. Collectively, these homes will save customers approximately $70,626 on utility bills each year.
The environmental benefits of these Energy Star-certified homes are the equivalent of eliminating the emissions from 77 vehicles, saving 468,000 lbs of coal, planting 128 acres of trees, or saving the environment 918,500 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.
To earn the Energy Star, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. EPA. These homes are at least 20 percent more efficient than standard new homes built today.
“At M/I Homes, we have always emphasized high-quality construction along with innovative design,” said Ron Martin, Chicago division president for M/I Homes, which is based in Columbus, Ohio. “We work hard to make sure our homes are efficient, comfortable and stylish.”
“This award demonstrates that energy efficiency is a core M/I Homes company value,” he said. “This is one of the reasons we continue to prosper despite the challenges the real estate market has faced for the past several years.”
Energy Star certified homes offer homebuyers all the features they want in a new home, plus energy-saving features like effective insulation systems, high performance windows, tight construction and ducts, properly-sized and installed efficient heating and cooling equipment, efficient products, and third-party verification of energy performance.
“Energy Star builder partners offer new homes that are designed and built to standards well above most others on the market today” said Jonathan Passe, director of EPA’s Energy Star Residential Branch. “Because Energy Star certified homes undergo rigorous independent inspections and testing, homebuyers who choose Energy Star can be confident that their new home will offer real energy efficiency, comfort, durability, and value for years to come.”
Last year alone, with the help of Energy Star and partners, Americans saved nearly $400 million on their utility bills and avoided greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of more than 510,000 vehicles. More than 1.3 million Energy Star homes have been built in the United States since the program first began labeling homes in 1995.
M/I Homes’ Chicago Division currently is developing townhomes in several suburbs: Carol Stream, Winfield, Hanover Park, Orland Park, Aurora, Naperville, Streamwood and St. Charles. Call (630) 605-8271 or email SalesChicago@mihomes.com.