On Top of the World Environmental Honors Keep Coming

OCALA, FLA. – Yet another environmental accolade has been added to a growing list of national and state honors earned by On Top of the World Communities with its selection as a finalist in the Sustainable Florida 2011 Best Practices Awards program sponsored by the Collins Center for Public Policy.
One of just three finalists in the green-building category, On Top of the World, 8445 SW 80th St., is the only Florida home builder to reach the finals for displaying “outstanding ... sustainable practice in the built environment.”
This commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship and energy-efficient home designs also grabbed the attention of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which presented On Top of the World with a 2010 ENERGY STAR® Excellence in ENERGY STAR® Promotion Award for its energy-efficient homes and consumer-education programs. The community was the only Florida home builder – and one of just six in the nation – to receive this honor.
On Top of the World landed among award finalists for various reasons including the fact that all new homes built in the community are ENERGY STAR®-qualified and are offered with solar power as an optional feature.
This commitment has resulted in 975 ENERGY STAR® homes being built since 2000, and the solar homes built in the community have saved more than 34 tons of coal while generating 87,000 kilowatt hours of electricity ... in the past year alone.
Moreover, On Top of the World recently expanded its sustainability efforts to the community’s commercial buildings by installing a system of solar panels to fully power its 8,800-square-foot golf-course maintenance building. This move will provide 115 percent of the building’s power to run all electrical equipment, air-conditioning, office space, water-recycling systems and to handle the building’s landscaping irrigation.
The Sustainable Florida 2011 Best Practices Awards ceremony will take place June 2 in Daytona Beach.
The Collins Center, named in honor of former Florida Gov. LeRoy Collins, was founded in 1988 as a statewide nonprofit organization to seek out creative, non-partisan solutions to Florida’s toughest issues. Throughout its history, the Jacksonville-based center has sought to “uphold the principles maintained by Gov. Collins – public and private integrity, deliberative democracy, environmental stewardship and economic fairness.
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, On Top of the World Communities has built about 4,500 homes in 14 neighborhoods in this 12,972-acre central Florida location since construction began in the 1980s.
All On Top of the World homes are steel-reinforced concrete block construction, and every home meets or exceeds ENERGY STAR® guidelines ... verified by independent inspectors. In fact, On Top of the World is Florida’s first active-adult community to receive 100 percent ENERGY STAR qualification on all new homes.
For more details, visit OnTopoftheWorld.com.

Excellence in ENERGY STAR® Promotion Award

On Top of the World Communities has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with the 2010 Excellence in ENERGY STAR Promotion Award for its energy-efficient homes and consumer-education programs. Moreover, On Top of the World Communities was the only Florida builder and one of just six home builders across the country to be so honored at recent ceremonies in Washington, D.C. Winners were selected from more than 17,000 companies and organizations nationwide.

According to the EPA, On Top of the World Communities was selected “for its outstanding contributions to reducing greenhouse-gas emissions by educating new home buyers about the value of choosing an ENERGY STAR-qualified home.” All On Top of the World homes are steel-reinforced concrete block construction, and every home meets or exceeds ENERGY STAR guidelines ... verified by independent inspectors. And On Top of the World is Florida’s first active-adult community to receive 100 percent ENERGY STAR qualification on all new homes.

One example of On Top of the World’s continued commitment to this effort was last year’s decision by company officials to offer a solar-power option on every new home it builds. In fact, one home in the community's new model-home center – the 2,324-square-foot Huntley II – features solar panels as a secondary source of energy that saves as much as 75 percent on monthly energy bills. An average ENERGY STAR qualified home receives a Home Energy Rating Score (HERS) score of 85 or below. The Huntley II model received a remarkably low HERS of 18. That’s a lot of energy savings! In addition to introducing the solar model, the company hosted an “It’s So Easy Being Green” consumer expo last fall where home buyers could speak directly with building industry vendors about how their products and services support the ENERGY STAR program.

In addition to reducing the carbon footprint of our homes, building energy-efficient homes also makes for happy homeowners:

"For years we have been ENERGY STAR® advocates. Once we decided to retire, we searched for the perfect place that would afford us beautiful weather, friendly neighbors and the perfect energy efficient home. We went online to www.energystar.gov and clicked on our state of choice, and found On Top of the World Communities. We wanted a well constructed home with low carrying costs and a home that was certified energy efficient. At On Top of the World Communities, we found all that and more." - Joseph and Linda Patanella

The EPA reports that last year alone, Americans ... with the help of ENERGY STAR ... saved $17 billion on their energy bills and reduced greenhouse-gas emissions equivalent to what is produced by 30 million vehicles.

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.

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.”

On Top of the World Communities is committed to building the highest quality homes with reduced energy use. Our homes surpass the strict guidelines set forth by ENERGY STAR®. Our standard features support environmental stewardship and achieve ENERGY STAR qualification by an independent third-party inspector. Our standard features include:

• R-30 Batt/Blown Attic Insulation reduces heat transfer through the roof of the home. (Minimum required is R-19).
• Rigid Foam Board Wall Insulation with proper taping technique provides a continuous barrier around the inside of the home which serves as a seal against air and moisture transfer.
• Electrical Boxes Mounted to Furring Strips creates fewer penetrations in the block wall, providing a better seal in the building envelope.
• Low-E Windows reduce condensation, reduce heat gain/loss and block 90%+ of the sun’s damaging ultraviolet light, protecting the interior of the home.
• Reflective Radiant Barrier helps keep heat out of the attic.
• Sealed, Insulated and Right-Sized Ducts in the Ventilation System prevent air leakage, reduce energy loss, and provide efficient distribution of conditioned air throughout the home. (NOT ALL builders adhere to the correct duct-sizing calculations as provided by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America Manual J and Manual D.)
• Multi-position Variable Speed Fan Motor in Air Handler saves energy as fan speed is determined by the temperature demand rather than running at a constant speed.
• Programmable Thermostat
• 14 and 15 SEER HVAC System, with higher efficiencies available
• IC-rated Sealed Recessed Can Lights with CFL Bulbs minimizes leakage of air from attic into conditioned space and provides energy savings.
• ENERGY STAR®-rated Dishwasher
• WaterSense-certified Delta® Faucets and Shower Heads, as well as low consumption, high efficiency commodes, reduce water usage.
• Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinets made from renewable resources and KCMA Environmental Stewardship Program Certified.
• Ceramic Tile Flooring provides energy savings.
• Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) Paint emits fewer contaminates into the air.
• WaterWise Yards using drought tolerant plants and drip-irrigation systems conserve water.

On Top of the World Communities has always been an innovative leader in the home-building industry. Click here to learn more.