Earth Advantage Logs 4,000 Energy Performance Scores, Trains 200 EPS Auditors in Washington

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Earth Advantage Institute, a nonprofit green building resource and energy efficiency platform provider, announced that 4,000 Energy Performance Score (EPS) audits have been conducted in Washington State by its utility and program manager partners. The organization has also trained more than 200 program and independent energy auditors to take on the growing volume of EPS evaluations.

The modular EPS toolkit, consisting of stakeholder training and web-based software tools, enables utility districts, cities, and counties to boost the level of residential retrofit rates by estimating annual energy expenditure and energy consumption and providing a miles-per-gallon style score for a given home. The score enables homebuyers to compare one home to another, motivates them to make improvements, and provides a metric for businesses to offer to preferential services for consumers living in greener homes. The EPS toolkit includes the EPS Auditor software, which is fast, easy-to-use, and has been shown in independent studies to outperform competitors with its accuracy. Additionally, the HOME portal guides homeowners through the audit and upgrade process and offers program managers real-time tracking of total energy savings.

The EPS software has been rolled out by utilities and organizations in Seattle, Spokane, Bellingham, Thurston and Kitsap counties, and the Snohomish Public Utility District. While these programs are still ongoing, the results from Bellingham and from Thurston County are showing post-audit retrofit rates of 50 to 60 percent.

"Our contracted residential energy auditors utilize Earth Advantage's Energy Performance Score (EPS) through Thurston Energy," said Josh Cummings, Business Manager at Thurston Energy. "The EPS standard benchmark and the potential savings estimates associated with the recommended energy efficiency upgrades are some of the most effective tools we have in guiding customers to the most worthwhile implementations."

"Earth Advantage is a strong believer in market-based mechanisms that can help drive professionals and consumers to more sustainable building practices," said David Heslam, Director of Strategy and Business Development at Earth Advantage Institute. "In 2012 we will be expanding our efforts to serve programs in 4 states with the expectation that over 8,000 homes will be assessed."

About Earth Advantage Institute

Earth Advantage Institute, a nonprofit green building resource, works with the building and design industry to help implement sustainable building practices.

For more information contact:
Tom Breunig
Director of Marketing
Earth Advantage Institute
503.858.2801
tbreunig@earthadvantage

SOURCE Earth Advantage Institute