EPA Names Masco Home Services' Environments For Living(R) Program 2010 Energy Star Partner of the Year

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., March 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named the Environments For Living program as a 2010 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year for its outstanding contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through its work. Masco Home Services' accomplishments through its Environments For Living program will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 18, 2010.

Developed with the assistance of leading building science experts, the Environments For Living program was launched in 2001 to assist builders in constructing homes that are more energy efficient, comfortable and durable than conventional code-built homes. It is the only national turnkey program offering a comprehensive suite of services to builders, from building science training to marketing tools.

The Environments For Living program is being honored for their work in qualifying new homes to earn the ENERGY STAR certification. To date, more than 130,000 homes have been constructed under the Environments For Living program's banner.

"In today's economy, home buyers are looking for value, and homes that earn the ENERGY STAR label provide that extra value," said Rick Davenport, Vice President Building Science, Masco Corporation. "Homes built to ENERGY STAR and the Environments For Living program's requirements are more comfortable and more energy efficient than a conventional, code-built home."

The 2010 Partner of the Year Awards are given to a variety of organizations to recognize their contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by promoting energy-efficient homes. Award winners are selected from more than 17,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program. New homes qualified under the ENERGY STAR program use substantially less energy for heating, cooling, and water heating – homeowners can expect to save about $200-$400 annually on their utility bills. Currently more than 8,500 builders across the nation are constructing homes that meet EPA's strict guidelines for energy efficiency. More than one million American families now live in ENERGY STAR qualified homes.

Last year, Americans with the help of the ENERGY STAR program, saved $17 billion on their energy bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 30 million vehicles.

"More homebuyers are choosing ENERGY STAR qualified homes across America thanks to partners like the Environments For Living program," said Gina McCarthy, EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation. "The knowledge and expertise of leading Home Energy Raters helps increase the nation's energy efficiency and reduces greenhouse gas emissions."

Masco Home Services, Inc., a Masco company, offers the Environments For Living program and Environments For Living Certified Green(SM) program to builders.

Due to the success of the Environments For Living program, Masco Home Services has launched WellHome(SM), a program that offers homeowners of existing homes a comprehensive home performance assessment, home improvement solutions and a Whole Home Energy Savings Limited Guarantee*.

About Masco Home Services, Inc. and the Environments For Living Program

Masco Home Services offers the Environments For Living program, a product neutral, prescriptive, performance-based program developed with the assistance of nationally recognized experts in the field of building science.  Under the Environments For Living program, Masco Home Services uniquely offers a complete suite of turnkey services for builders. These include pre-construction plan reviews that use industry-standard home-energy analysis software, various inspection services, and diagnostic testing utilizing industry-standard authentication tools. Visit www.environmentsforliving.com for additional information.

About Masco Corporation

Masco Corporation (NYSE: MAS), parent company of Masco Home Services, is one of the world's largest manufacturers of brand-name consumer products for the home and family, including Behr paint, Delta and Hansgrohe faucets, bath and shower fixtures, KraftMaid, Merillat and Quality cabinets, Milgard windows and doors and Verve lighting systems. Masco is also a leading provider of services that include the installation of insulation and other building products through Masco Contractor Services and Masco Home Services. Visit www.masco.com for more information on the Masco family of brands.

About the ENERGY STAR program

The ENERGY STAR® program was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, the ENERGY STAR program offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 17,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about the ENERGY STAR program, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).  ENERGY STAR and the ENERGY STAR logo are registered marks of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

See the full guarantee for complete details and limitations; visit www.environmentsforliving.com or call toll free (866) 912-7233.

* See the full Whole Home Energy Savings Limited Guarantee for details and limitations; available from Masco Home Services upon request.

SOURCE Masco Corporation