Nevada Energy Star presents showcase

Astoria Homes is one of several featured home builders that will participate in Summer Showcase, a valleywide July tour that will celebrate Nevada Energy Star month.

Nevada Energy Star Partners is sponsoring the tour to give Las Vegas Valley residents a chance to see the benefits of owning an Energy Star-qualified home.

The home builder, which received the 2007 Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award winner and 2007 Environmental Protection Agency Outstanding Achievement Award, will hold its demonstrations from noon to 4 p.m. July 7 and 8 at select neighborhoods.

Visit AstoriaHomes.com for more information on scheduled events and directions to the participating neighborhoods.

"The Summer Showcase gives Astoria Homes the opportunity to show home buyers our quality construction, superior design and advanced energy-efficient building and practices," said Tom McCormick, president of Astoria Homes. "As a local home builder that remains dedicated and committed to building energy-efficient homes, Astoria has garnered both accolades and recognition for our efforts, yet this showcase gives us a chance to demonstrate for the public exactly how our advanced construction methods and features translate to cost savings and quality construction for homeowners."

Energy Inspectors and Nevada Power Co. are participating in the showcase and will be on hand to conduct seminars on how Energy Star benefits the environment while saving money for homeowners.

Planned demonstrations include, among other items, blower tests to illustrate tight envelope-construction and its effectiveness.

Nevada Power will present energy-saving tips and give away free energy-saving compact fluorescent lights, which when used in place of incandescent light bulbs, also keep home temperatures cooler and ultimately conserve costs.

Astoria homes include Energy Star-approved products, such as programmable thermostats, airtight ducts, energy-saving insulation and engineered heating, energy-efficient low-e 4 windows, ventilation and advanced Heat Ventillation Air Conditioning engineering.

The company has a long history as an Energy Star home builder in Southern Nevada and was named Energy Star Partner of the Year in 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

"Commitment to Energy Star and conservation has helped Astoria Homes become Las Vegas' leader in energy-efficient construction," said Traci Sexton, sales manager for Astoria Homes.

"We understand that energy conservation is on top of everyone's mind and home buyers are seeking homes that are Energy Star-certified. We are proud of the added quality and value that our Energy Star homes provide for our homeowners."

Astoria Homes is a member of Nevada Energy Star Partners, a coalition of Southern Nevada home builders, developers, retailers, mortgage providers, energy consultants and local utilities promoting energy conservation.

Energy Star-rated homes meet building guidelines for energy efficiency set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Energy Star-qualified homes can include a variety of energy-efficient features, such as effective insulation, high-performance windows, tight construction and ducts, efficient heating and cooling equipment and Energy Star-qualified lighting and appliances.