2009 ENERGY STAR® LEADERSHIP IN HOUSING AWARD

McArthur Homes earns award for building new homes that protect the environment through energy efficiency

[South Jordan, Utah] – McArthur Homes is pleased to announce that it has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with a 2009 ENERGY STAR Leadership in Housing Award. This award recognizes the important contribution McArthur Homes has made to energy-efficient construction and environmental protection by building more than 79 ENERGY STAR qualified homes last year. Collectively, these homes will save our customers approximately $35,313 on utility bills each year.

The environmental benefits of these ENERGY STAR qualified homes are equal to the equivalent of:

• Eliminating the emissions from 39 vehicles;
• Saving 234,156 lbs of coal;
• Planting 64 acres of trees; or
• Saving the environment 459,227 pounds of CO2 per year.

To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20–30% more efficient than standard homes.

ENERGY STAR qualified homes offer homebuyers all the features they want in a new home, plus energy-saving features like effective insulation systems, high performance windows, tight construction and ducts, properly-sized and installed efficient heating and cooling equipment, efficient products, and third-party verification of energy performance.

“Most homebuyers focus on what's outside the walls,” said Sam Rashkin, National Director for EPA's ENERGY STAR Homes Program, “but they also need to look behind the walls for the energy-efficient features found in ENERGY STAR qualified homes that help ensure comfort, quiet, improved indoor air quality, and low utility bills for years to come.”

About McArthur Homes
McArthur Homes is a locally owned and operated family business building new homes for Utah families along the Wasatch Front since 1993. McArthur has been an Energy Star partner since 2001 and has built hundreds of Energy Star qualified homes. According to Ron McArthur, “Our buyers appreciate the monthly savings on their utility bills, and also enjoy knowing that the home is better for the world and the environment”. McArthur is currently building Energy Star homes in West Jordan at Amberly and in Lehi across the freeway from Cabella’s. More information is available online at www.mcarthurhomes.com.


About ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 12,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

Home Sales Up in Utah!

The article below discusses the recent increase in home sales, due in part to the Housing Stimulus Bill. As a Design Consultant for McArthur Homes I can definitely say that we have seen a large increase in new home owners over the past couple of months. Now is a fantastic time to buy a home, not only because of the $6,000 & $8,000 grants available but also because of the fantastic interest rates and affordable pricing. For more information visit McArthur Homes.

Early Indicators Show Housing Stimulus is a Home Run
by Grant S. Whitaker, President and Chief Executive Officer, Utah Housing Corporation

Utah is only one month into our economic stimulus for housing, and house sales are hopping. Nearly 250 people have already purchased homes with $6,000 Home Run Housing Grants. With 1,600 grants available, they could be gone in a matter of months.
March activity in the Salt Lake housing market scored among the highest in the country, according to Zelman & Associates, a leading national real estate research firm that measures activity in 55 markets around the country. The Home Run grant program is cited as a key factor.
A number of home buyers are using both the $8,000 federal tax credit, available to first time home buyers, and the $6,000 Home Run grant, generating a $14,000 discount on a home purchase. When combined with historically low interest rates, this is an unparalleled opportunity for home buyers.


The sale of the excess inventory of new homes will have a positive effect of stabilizing the entire market of homes for sale, including existing homes. Whenever supply exceeds demand, home prices tumble. Clearly the sale of 1,600 new homes through Home Run will not completely restore the market, but it will help.
We are pleased to be a part of this Home Run economic stimulus program. We believe the benefits will play out in a big way as Jim Wood as projected, helping home buyers into a home, putting nearly 9,000 construction workers back to work, and generating $324 million in total earnings.