With the current state of the national economy, consumers are looking for ways to reduce costs wherever they can—and the operation of their homes is no exception. In direct response to their customers’ needs, and their own desire to “do the right thing,” many home builders and remodelers have taken strides to incorporate features that make homes more energy efficient, comfortable, cost-effective to operate and maintain, and generally more friendly to the natural environment. At this year’s IBS, an elite group of these conscientious residential professionals received EnergyValue Housing Awards (EVHA) for new and existing homes.

Now in its 16th year, the EVHA challenges builders to elevate standards for energy-efficient new construction and remodeling; provides educational opportunities for building professionals; and fosters the adoption of energy-efficiency principles. Winners are selected from projects in three climate regions (Cold, Moderate, Hot) and five categories (Affordable, Custom/Demonstration, Multifamily, Production, and Existing Homes).

This year 12 builders and remodelers from nine states were chosen. Wathen-Castanos Hybrid Homes, (gold award in New Homes, Moderate Climate, Production Homes category) of Fresno, Calif., was selected as this year’s Builder of the Year, and Clifton View Homes (gold awards in both Cold Climate, Existing Home; and Moderate Climate, Custom Home categories) of Coupeville, Wash., was selected as Remodeler of the Year. Meritage Homes of Scottsdale, Ariz., captured the People’s Choice award by garnering the most online votes prior to the award ceremony, and also received a silver award in the Hot Climate, Production Home category.

The other gold and silver award winners were: Baldwin Homes, Arnold, Md., (Silver, Moderate Climate, Production Home); Cobblestone Homes, Saginaw, Mich., (Gold, Cold Climate, Custom Home); DOE Building America Team of Building Media, & Green Builder Media, (ReVISION House ), Las Vegas, (Silver, Hot Climate, Existing Home); Ferrier Custom Homes, Fort Worth, (Gold, Hot Climate, Custom Home); GreenCraft Builders, Lewisville, Texas, (Gold, Hot Climate, Custom Home); Imagine Homes, San Antonio, (Silver, Hot Climate, Production Home); Near Zero Maine, Vassalboro, Maine, (Silver, Cold Climate, Custom Home); Scott Homes, Olympia, Wash., (Silver, Moderate Climate, Custom Home); Treasure Homes, Wheatfield, Ind. (Silver, Cold Climate, Custom Home).

“The quality of this year’s slate of award-winning builders and remodelers is outstanding,” says NAHB Research Center president, Michael Luzier. “With innovative industry leaders like these as examples, the mission of the EVHA program and the efforts of its partners to expand the focus on environmental consciousness and energy efficiency among builders and remodelers will continue to flourish.”

For information on each winning company’s home, visit www.nahbrc.org/evha.