Quadrant Homes says it is among first Washington state builders to commit to building all new homes to 2011 Northwest Energy Star specifications

Cindy Allen

BELLEVUE, Washington , February 10, 2011 (press release) – Quadrant Homes has become one of the first builders in Washington to commit to building all new homes to the 2011 Northwest ENERGY STAR specifications, the homebuilder announced recently. As one of the first builders to join the ENERGY STAR program in 2004, Quadrant Homes is continuing its commitment to the environment and reducing energy costs by building 100 percent of new construction beginning in 2011 to high efficiency standards.

"With ENERGY STAR construction now included as a standard feature in a new Quadrant home, homebuyers no longer have to make a choice between price and energy performance," said Quadrant Homes president Ken Krivanec. "We believe we have a responsibility not only to give our homebuyers the best value possible, but also to be committed citizens of our community by supporting good environmental practices."

Last year, Quadrant Homes built 478 new homes. According to ENERGY STAR, for every 400 ENERGY STAR certified homes Quadrant Homes builds, the combined energy savings on those homes is equivalent to planting more than 324 acres of trees each year and collectively saves those homeowners $160,000 in utility bills each year.

"Quadrant Homes' commitment to build all new homes to Northwest ENERGY STAR Homes standards sets them apart as a leader in the market, particularly with the impending changes in Washington State's energy code and the 2011 ENERGY STAR specification," said David Hetherington, Sr. Program Manager, Northwest ENERGY STAR Homes.

Quadrant Homes has long been recognized for its sustainability efforts, receiving honors such as Built Green™ Large Builder Award; Built Green™ Foundation Award, and the Association of Washington Businesses Environmental Award.

Quadrant Homes participates in Puget Sound Energy's Single-family New Construction program, which offers builders incentives that help offset the costs of installing higher efficiency measures in new construction homes. Incentives include discounts on ENERGY STAR lighting and appliances such as clothes washers and refrigerators, as well as installation of high efficiency equipment used for space and water heating.

"We applaud Quadrant Homes for its commitment to energy-efficient housing and for empowering homeowners with the tools to better manage their energy use," said Cal Shirley, vice president of Energy Efficiency Services for PSE. "It's encouraging to see a company of Quadrant's stature helping to set the tone for the building industry in the state and the region."

The ENERGY STAR commitment is part of Quadrant Homes' continued response to the needs of the Northwest homebuyer, drawn directly from research showing the evolving demands of the market. The company recently unveiled its new "Built Your Way" approach to home buying, bringing a level of customization never before offered by a large-scale Northwest builder, along with the unprecedented guarantee of a home built to the buyer's complete satisfaction.

About Quadrant Homes

More Washingtonians live in a Quadrant home than in one constructed by any other builder. Quadrant Homes, a subsidiary of Weyerhaeuser Real Estate Company, is now in its 40th year of award-winning home building in the Puget Sound region. Quadrant's "Built Your Way" approach encourages homebuyers to select the features that matter most to them. The company is currently building or developing new-home communities in King, Snohomish, Pierce, Thurston, Kitsap, and Skagit counties. Quadrant was recognized with the 2010 Guildmaster Award for exceptional customer satisfaction, has been named a Builder of the Year by the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, and one of Washington's Best Work Places by The Puget Sound Business Journal. Quadrant has also been designated by the Environmental Protection Agency as a qualified ENERGY STAR® builder. For more information, visit Quadrant's Web site (www.quadranthomes.com), (www.twitter.com/quadranthomes) and (www.facebook.com/quadranthomes).

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