New Energy Star Specifications for Set-top TV Boxes To Save Billions In Energy Costs

(Washington, D.C. - April 24, 2008) Today, EPA announced a new specification for boxes that deliver television and video content, also called set-top boxes. Effective Jan. 1, 2009, new cable, satellite, and telecom set-top boxes that carry the Energy Star will be at least 30 percent more efficient than conventional models. The new specification is expected to prevent greenhouse gas emissions while allowing consumers to continue to enjoy high-quality content.

“With approximately 148 million set-top boxes installed in the United States and 23 million more set-top boxes expected to ship in 2008, EPA is challenging manufacturers and service providers to deliver boxes that not only offer the newest features, but are also energy-efficient,” said Robert Meyers principal deputy assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation.

After this new specification goes into effect, if all set-top boxes sold in the United States meet the Energy Star requirements, the savings in energy costs will grow to about $2 billion each year and greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by the equivalent of greenhouse gas emissions from about 2.5 million vehicles annually.

For the first time, EPA will also partner with the cable, satellite and telecommunications companies that deliver content to consumers. As Energy Star partners, these companies agree to improve the energy efficiency of a significant number of set-top boxes by offering newly qualified boxes to subscribers or by upgrading boxes already in homes to help subscribers reduce their carbon footprint and save money.

Energy Star was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the Energy Star label can be found on more than 50 different kinds of products, new homes as well as schools and commercial buildings. Products that have earned the Energy Star prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the government. In 2007 alone, Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved more than $16 billion on their utility bills while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 27 million vehicles. For more information, visit: http://www.energystar.gov

Release date: 04/24/2008

Contact Information: Shakeba Carter-Jenkins, (202) 564-4355 / carter-jenkins.shakeba@epa.gov

tag: EnergyStar, EPA, Energy Star, Set-Top Box, greenhouse gas emissions

Platinum LEED Rating from U.S. Green Building Council is awarded to Ranch House at Del Sur

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Ranch House at Del Sur, the information center for the newly opened master-planned community by Black Mountain Ranch LLC in north San Diego, last week was awarded a Platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, a program of the U.S. Green Building Council and the most widely recognized standard worldwide for sustainable, high-performance, low-energy-use buildings.

With a point score of 59 out of a total 69 points possible, the 3,000-square-foot Ranch House is the first private-enterprise, new construction building to achieve Platinum rating in California, and San Diego’s first Platinum-rated structure.

“The Ranch House is to be commended for its LEED Platinum Certification,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “As a visitor information and resource center, the Ranch House will serve as an example to the community as well as raise awareness among consumers and new home builders. The Ranch House will be a model for master-planned community development.”

Of the approximately 680 LEED-NC (new construction) certified buildings in the world, only 28 have achieved Platinum certification. Many Ranch House features are available as standard or options to the 2,500 homes under construction at Del Sur. In addition, the Ranch House is actively promoted as a showcase and resource to all San Diegans to encourage learning about — and committing — to environmental stewardship.

“We’re honored that the Ranch House has been recognized by the Green Building Council with its highest rating,” said Fred Maas, president and CEO of Black Mountain Ranch LLC, developer of the 1,800-acre Del Sur. “The Ranch House is the focal point of the Del Sur vision: celebrating heritage, craftsmanship and sustainability. Everything from the land planning to the recycling of construction waste to the use of Earth-friendly materials and techniques is part of the Del Sur green building strategy.”

Fullerton Architects P.C., of Kalispell, MT provided architectural design services, in consultation with LEED consultant Hernando Miranda of Soltierra, Inc. in San Diego. Landscape architecture was provided by Vita Planning & Landscape Architecture and Wimmer Yamada and Caughey, and interior design was provided by San Diego-based Design Line Interiors. Standard Pacific Homes constructed the Ranch House at Del Sur, and Benchmark Landscape provided landscape installation services.

Resource Conservation, Recycling and Reuse

Through the incorporation of efficient appliances, weather-based irrigation and low-water plant palettes, combined annual estimated water savings are 70 percent, or more than one million gallons saved per year. A photovoltaic (solar) energy system provides about half the building’s power, while natural lighting, EnergyStar appliances, and efficient ductwork save approximately 57 percent of energy annually. Wind credits offset the remainder of the energy use, making the Ranch House a net-zero consumption facility.

Approximately 89% of construction waste at the Ranch House was recycled, and materials were re-used on-site where possible. Cork in the flooring, sunflower husks in countertops, wheat waste in cabinets and ceilings, and salvaged timbers used in flooring and ceiling trusses are among the reclaimed or rapidly-renewable resources on display at the Ranch House.

The porous concrete driveway leading to the Ranch House aids with groundwater filtration and mitigates storm-water runoff. Electric vehicles, dedicated carpool parking spaces and bike racks offer and demonstrate a variety of resources for alternative transportation.

About the U.S. Green Building Council and LEED Certification

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a non-profit composed of leaders from across the building industry working to advance buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. Driving its mission to transform the built environment is the Council’s LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System™, which is accessible on-line and supported by a robust LEED Workshop program and the LEED Professional Accreditation program. For more information, visit www.usgbc.org.

Tags: LEED Certification, U.S. Green Building Council, USGBC, Green Building Rating System™, Del Sur, Ranch House at Del Sur