Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Local Solar Home Heats Up National Headlines

CONTACT: John Heagney | Holiday, Fla. | (727) 942-2718
JANUARY 8, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Local Solar Home Heats Up National Headlines
OCALA, FLA. – Green Builder magazine has placed the national spotlight on a new line of solar-optional homes being built at On Top of the World Communities, the 12,972-acre master-planned community offering sustainable, high-performance homes and state-of-the-art amenities for 21st century active adults at 8445 SW 80th St.
According to Kenneth D. Colen, President, On Top of the World Communities, Green Builder featured a story about the 2,188-square-foot Huntley II that features optional solar panels as a secondary source of energy. And the remaining six homes in the community’s newly opened model home center ... as well as all homes built by the company ... also offer solar power as an option.
Colen says solar power on these homes can save home buyers as much as 75 percent on their monthly power bills. And even if they don’t select the solar option, owners will be purchasing some of the most energy- efficient homes found anywhere.
On Top of the World Communities’ commitment to energy-efficient homes began when the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy introduced the ENERGY STAR program, which integrates energy-efficient products and building techniques in its homes to ensure long-term energy savings for its home buyers.
Now, as a result of its early investment in the program, On Top of the World Communities became the state’s first active-adult community to receive 100 percent ENERGY STAR qualification on all new homes and has built more ENERGY STAR homes than another other community in Florida. ENERGY STAR homes feature:
• R-30 ceiling insulation to reduce heat gain/loss and improve the home’s durability.
• Low-E, double-pane windows to reduce condensation and heat gain/loss while protecting the home's
interior from the sun's damaging rays
• Tight construction to seal and maintain the home's temperature efficiently while acting as a sound barrier
• Efficient heating-and-cooling system to improve air quality and enhance comfort while saving energy
On Top of the World Communities has been named to the list of America’s 100 Best Master-Planned Communities by Where to Retire magazine and Best Neighborhood for 55+ by Ocala magazine. Its builder and developer has built about 4,500 homes in 14 neighborhoods in this central Florida location since construction began in the 1980s.
One of the community’s most compelling features is the Master the Possibilities Education Center, where 600 classes, lectures, presentations and film series are taught by a professional faculty. Also located here is the 830-seat Circle Square Cultural Center, Ocala’s largest indoor venue for concerts, art exhibits, conventions and social functions.
On Top of the World offers 13 residential designs in three distinctive series – Premier, Estate and Custom homes.
For more details, visit OnTopoftheWorld.com.

Thursday, January 7, 2010



Environmental awareness is a core belief at On Top of the World Communities and is reflected in its seven new model homes ... all offering optional solar power as part of a sustainable design package that saves the homeowner money, while saving the planet.

On Top of the World Communities’ commitment to energy-efficient homes began when the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy introduced the ENERGY STAR® program. The company embraced this effort immediately, integrating energy-efficient products and building techniques in its homes to ensure long-term energy savings for its home buyers.

As a result, On Top of the World Communities became Florida’s first active adult community to receive 100 percent ENERGY STAR qualification on all new homes.

ENERGY STAR homes include more than two dozen building products and practices ranging from R-30 insulation in ceilings to low-E, energy-efficient double-pane windows, tight construction and efficient heating-and-cooling equipment.

On Top of the World Communities ensures adherence to ENERGY STAR guidelines by performing onsite inspections by an independent third-party expert before and after drywall is installed. Test results compare the energy efficiency of homes here with other area homes built only to local building codes. Then, home buyers are given a report of anticipated energy savings for cooling, heating, lighting, hot water and appliances. And with consistently better energy ratings, On Top of the World homes qualify for Energy Efficient Mortgages, and have higher appraised values.

Currently, the community is pursuing LEED certification, an international green-building-rating system of the U.S. Green Building Council, recognizing practical and measurable green-building design and construction.

“We didn’t have to change any of our building practices when we applied for LEED certification because we were doing these extra things already as part of the ENERGY STAR and Builder’s Challenge programs,” notes construction manager Sheryl Johnson. “We’re very proud of that fact.”

As for solar-capable homes – the Huntley II model actually is fitted with solar panels – On Top of the World Communities is among the area’s first home builders to incorporate alternative sources of energy as options in new homes. You may view the production of energy by the Huntley II at the On Top of the World Model Center.

“This is a great opportunity for homeowners to see solar power in action,” Johnson explains. “And from everything we’ve seen and heard, 70 percent of home buyers say they want a high-performance home that is good for the environment.”