Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas Co.) has been awarded a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2008 Energy Star award.
The regulated subsidiary of San Diego-based Sempra Energy was designated the Leadership in Housing award for the utility’s contribution to energy-efficient and environmentally friendly home construction.
Homes that earn the EPA’s Energy Star qualification must be at least 15 percent more energy-efficient than homes built to the 2001 International Residential Code and include Energy Star-regulated appliances, heating, cooling and lighting.
Since 2002, The Gas Co. has sponsored more than 1,000 Energy Star homes. In total, those homes will save Gas Co. customers approximately $450,000 on utility bills, according to the EPA.
“Energy Star-qualified homes are better homes that cost less to own, protect our environment, reduce our reliance on imported energy and improve our economy,” said Sam Rashkin, national director of Washington, D.C.-based Energy Star for Homes.
, Liz Wiedemann