by Miranda G. McLeod
Staff Writer
It’s best described as an appliance sticker for your house — like the energy ratings on water heaters and air-conditioning units. The Green Built Homes of Florida program promotes the efficient use of energy and water in building practices for new single family homes constructed in North Florida.
The program, offered by the JEA and the Northeast Florida Builders Association, is two-tiered and Phil Mattox of JEA presented the program at NEFBA’s Sales and Marketing Council breakfast at the University of North Florida.
Mattox, a former radio and TV host, told an audience of realtors and builders the program was initiated to reduce electric and water usage, help maintain low electric rates and to “create a healthier living environment for Northeast Florida residents.”
The first tier of the program, Energy Star, was developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy to promote efficient use of energy.
Mattox said Energy Star will show homebuyers the cost to run a home. He said the program’s standards are 15 percent better than the existing Florida code and 30 percent more efficient than the national code.
The other tier to the Green Built program is Water Star, a program that is still under development by the St. Johns River Water Management District. Colliers Builders is providing homes to help develop the Water Star program.
All the ratings are produced by a third party, not associated with JEA.
“They’re (the third party) unbiased, working for the customer,” said Mattox. “Better-built homes make for greater customer satisfaction. (These programs) help JEA prepare for the future while protecting our source of fresh water — the Florida aquifer.”
Bruce Doeck is the manager of conservation programs for JEA. He said the programs may cost more at first, but in the long run, the programs will save homeowners money.
“There will be a positive cash flow from day one because the combined mortgage payment and energy bill will be less with Energy Star,” said Doeck, adding that these programs allow a homebuyer to afford a larger mortgage.
In addition to improved energy performance, homeowners can realize other benefits of the program as well, according to Doeck. He pointed out benefits such as esthetics, better comfort and a more durable house that may last longer because the programs provide better humidity control.
The Energy Star program was started nationally 10 years ago but wasn’t implemented in the Jacksonville market until January.
The Water Star program has been under development for the past five years and will be launched later this summer.