Pella Corporation Earns ENERGY STAR® Honors for 5th Consecutive Year

PELLA, Iowa, March 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- For the fifth consecutive year, Pella Corporation has earned national recognition in the U.S. for its leadership in helping protect the environment through energy efficiency.

Pella earned an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year 2011 award, presented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) for its commitment to manufacturing energy-efficient products and educating consumers about them.

In addition, for the third year in a row, Pella earned ENERGY STAR's most prestigious Sustained Excellence Award 2011 — recognizing the commitment Pella has shown in successfully managing energy use and promoting ENERGY STAR products and practices within its organization.

"Pella has earned EPA's highest ENERGY STAR award - the 2011 Sustained Excellence Award," said Elizabeth Craig, acting director of EPA's Office of Atmospheric Programs.  "Pella's long term leadership and commitment to energy efficiency demonstrates the types of accomplishments that we can all achieve in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting our global environment. We look forward to their continued partnership and leadership."

"This honor recognizes the ongoing energy-saving aspects that Pella designs into our windows and doors and our efforts in educating consumers about how our products can help save energy in their home," said Elaine Sagers, vice president of marketing for the privately-held company. "With rising gas and energy prices, there's more focus on energy efficiency. We're very proud to be an ongoing ENERGY STAR partner and will continue to help consumers create better views as they enhance energy efficiency in their homes."

Replacing old windows with ENERGY STAR-qualified windows may lower household energy bills by seven to 15 percent, according to the ENERGY STAR website. In addition, lower energy consumption also reduces greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and shrinks a home's carbon footprint.

Longtime leader

Pella has been an ENERGY STAR partner in the U.S. since 1999 and will be recognized for the 2011 honors on April 12 at a Washington, D.C., awards ceremony.

Only a select group of organizations — those exhibiting outstanding leadership year after year — earned the 2011 Sustained Excellence Award. Annual winners are selected from more than 17,000 organizations participating in the ENERGY STAR program.

Energy savings is top of mind

"As savvy consumers are doing more with less, saving energy is the name of the game," said Sandi Robinson, code and integrated marketing specialist at Pella. "Pella educates consumers about the value of choosing ENERGY STAR-qualified products like Pella Windows and Doors. We take pride in creating energy-efficient products and helping consumers make energy-efficient choices for their homes."

Pella and other ENERGY STAR partners have helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions by setting and achieving aggressive energy goals, adopting innovative new approaches and serving as role models to others about what can be achieved through across-the-board commitment to energy efficiency.

For more information:

• Pella Corporation: a longtime leader in sustainability fast fact
• Home is where you ... can reduce your carbon footprint fast fact
• The value of ENERGY STAR® designations fast fact
• Pella online image library with 2011 ENERGY STAR logo and other images available for download

About Pella

Pella Corporation is a leader in designing, testing, manufacturing and installing quality windows and doors for new construction, remodeling and replacement applications.

As a family-owned and professionally managed privately-held company, Pella is known for its 86-year history of making innovative products, providing quality service and delivering on customer satisfaction. Headquartered in Pella, Iowa, the company is committed to incorporating new technologies, increasing productivity and practicing environmental stewardship to create satisfied customers.

Pella manufactures quality windows, patio doors and entry door systems sold through a Direct Sales Network operating Pella Window & Door Showrooms across the United States and Canada and select building materials retailers, including Lowe's®. For more information, call 888-847-3552 or visit pella.com. Follow Pella on Twitter.com @Pella_News, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pellawindowsanddoors and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/pellawindowsanddoors.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants associated with energy use. Today, the ENERGY STAR label can be found on more than 60 kinds of products as well as new homes and buildings. Last year alone, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved $18 billion on their utility bills and prevented greenhouse gas equivalent to those of 34 million cars. Products, homes and buildings that have earned the ENERGY STAR prevent emissions by meeting strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the EPA.  For more information, go to energystar.gov.

SOURCE Pella Corporation