ATLANTA, Aug. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently honored Georgia Power with its ENERGY STAR for Homes - Leadership in Housing Award. The award recognizes companies that take a leadership role and act as champions for ENERGY STAR.

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The ENERGY STAR certification is a nationally recognized symbol for energy efficiency that brings value to builders and customers. An ENERGY STAR home is independently certified to save at least 15 percent on energy costs, or about $200 to $400 annually, compared to the same house built to standard energy codes.

"Georgia Power is proud to promote ENERGY STAR new home construction," said Dean Harless, Georgia Power's marketing issues manager. "The ENERGY STAR Home program aligns well with Georgia Power's commitment to help our customers become more energy efficient."

Georgia Power's ENERGY STAR Home program launched in 2006. Since then, more than 3,200 ENERGY STAR-qualified new homes have been built in Georgia Power's service territory. The program promotes the construction of new homes that are more energy efficient, comfortable, and save homeowners money on their utility bills while helping to protect the environment.

Georgia Power supports the ENERGY STAR Home program in a number of ways including builder incentives, builder training, realtor training, home buyer, builder and realtor awareness campaigns, marketing assistance and serving as a technical resource for program stakeholders.

The EPA praised Georgia Power's work as an "important contribution" to the success of ENERGY STAR Homes. The award acknowledges the positive effect Georgia Power's awareness campaigns have had in educating the public, home builders, realtors and home raters regarding the energy efficiency benefits that come with an ENERGY STAR qualified home.

Harless, who manages all the ENERGY STAR programs at Georgia Power, feels this award is special. "Winning the ENERGY STAR for Homes - Leadership in Housing Award builds on the recognition we've received for our energy efficiency programs and validates our continuing commitment to energy efficiency and ENERGY STAR."

ENERGY STAR homes feature effective floor, wall and attic insulation, high performance windows, tight construction and ducts that reduce drafts and improve indoor air quality, and high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment. The homes are tested by independently certified ENERGY STAR partners who verify the energy performance of the home.

Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the nation's largest generators of electricity. The company is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility with rates well below the national average. Georgia Power serves 2.3 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties.

www.georgiapower.com

SOURCE Georgia Power

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SOURCE: Georgia Power

Web site: http://www.georgiapower.com/