Rick Wertz & Co. Offers First Environments For Living Homes in Colorado

Homebuyers to Receive Guarantee on Energy Used for Heating and Cooling

Contact

Rick Wertz
Rick Wertz & Co.
970-391-3494

Paul Higman
Thermal Concepts
970-223-7090

EVANS, Colo. (November 21, 2003) - Rick Wertz & Co. will be the first Colorado builder to offer homes constructed under the Environments For Living program, which prescribes state-of-the-art specifications for energy efficiency, indoor air quality and other features, created by top experts in the field of Building Science. The homes Rick Wertz & Co. is currently building under the program are two, single-family paired homes in the Grapevine Hollow subdivision in Evans, Colo. The two-story, 2,200 sq. ft., three-bedroom homes will be completed this month.

The Environments For Living program uses the principles of Building Science to help builders construct homes that are more energy efficient, comfortable, durable, healthier and safer – as compared with homes not built to the program specifications. The Environments For Living program establishes requirements for tight construction and high-performance thermal systems, fresh air ventilation, balanced air pressure, internal moisture management and combustion safety. A plan review is conducted for each new model to help builders determine the steps necessary to meet the program requirements, and homes are performance-tested and evaluated through random testing by trained and certified contractors.

Buyers of the new homes, which Wertz is building to the program's "gold-plus" standards, will receive the Environments For Living three-year limited guarantee* on energy used for heating and cooling. This provides an estimated annual amount of energy (BTUs) needed to heat and cool the home and, if heating and cooling usage exceeds the estimated usage each year, the homeowner receives 100 percent of the difference in cost. Homeowners also will receive a three-year limited guarantee* on “comfort” - promising that the temperature at the center of a room will not vary more than 3 degrees from the thermostat set-point for that room.

"New homebuyers are very conscious of energy costs and I've already seen the appeal of the energy efficient features of these homes,” said builder Rick Wertz. "But the main reason I became interested in the Environments For Living program is that it provides an extra measure of quality control," he explained. "No matter what features you're selling, you have to start with a good product," he stated.

Thermal Concepts in Ft. Collins, Colo., is providing insulation services as well as coordinating the plan review, conducting performance evaluations - duct blaster and blower door tests-– and consulting with other subcontractors on meeting the program requirements.

About Environments For Living
The Environments For Living program is a Building Science initiative sponsored by Masco Contractor Services (MCS), Inc., a subsidiary of Masco Corporation (NYSE: MAS). MCS is the largest insulation, fireplace and guttering subcontractor in the world. With more than 325 locations in the United States and Canada, the company bundles hundreds of top-grade building products with installation services provided by 14,000 trained and fully-insured professionals. For program and guarantee information, visit www.eflhome.com or call 866-912-7233.

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