THE FALLS AT ARDEN MILLS in Fitchburg is one of the most energy efficient EPA - ENERGY STAR Condominium developments in Massachusetts. An EPA - ENERGY STAR Home or Multi-Family Unit is one that uses the latest energy technologies to make it more energy efficient, less costly to operate, healthier, and more environmentally friendly. Developed by the U.S. Department of Energy, an ENERGY STAR Home or Multi-Family unit must be built to use 15% less energy than the same dwelling built to the current National Energy Standards. The Condominium units at THE FALLS AT ARDEN MILLS have been built to use LESS THAN 50% of the energy for heating and cooling than the same units built to the current National Energy Standards. Each condominium will receive an individual ENERGY STAR Certificate. A typical two bedroom condominium at the Falls at Arden Mills is expected to see a heating and cooling bill of only $1,065 per year… that's less than $100 per month. According to Wes Riley, owner of Horizon Residential Energy Services LLC, "The Falls at Arden Mills is by far the most energy efficient multi-family development that we have seen in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine." He goes on to say "We started working with the developers of this project over two years ago. From day one they have proven to us that they are totally committed to including the highest performing energy features possible at THE FALLS AT ARDEN MILLS". Developed by Global Property Developers Corporation, a Callahan Group Company, The Falls at Arden Mills was built using advanced building technology such as spray foam insulation in all of the walls, ceilings and floor surfaces of each individual unit, super high efficiency mini boilers and domestic hot water storage tanks, high performance windows, and all Energy Star Rated Lighting and Appliances. To achieve EPA - ENERGY STAR Certification - a residential project must be independently certified by U.S. Department of Energy, an ENERGY STAR Homes Ratings Partner. Horizon Residential Energy Services LLC of Concord, NH (http://www.horizon-res.com) provided the required third-party certification as part of the UNTIL - ENERGY STAR HOMES Program. (http://services.unitil.com/fge/res_energystar.asp) UNITIL provides no cost technical assistance and third party certification services to help its customers build high performance homes, no matter what fuels are used to heat the home. Background Information What are ENERGY STAR Qualified New Homes? Homes that earn the ENERGY STAR must meet guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. ENERGY STAR qualified homes are at least 15 percent more energy efficient than homes built to the current national energy codes. For more Information visit: http://www.horizon-res.com http://www.services.unitil.com/fge/res_efficiency.asp http://www.energystar.gov ENERGY STAR qualified homes can include a variety of energy-efficient features, such as effective insulation, tight construction and ducts, efficient heating and cooling equipment, and ENERGY STAR qualified lighting and appliances. Benefits to the Homeowner Increasing the Energy Efficiency of Your Home Will Make It: Less Expensive to Operate: - Lower monthly energy bills. - More money in your pocket. More Comfortable: - Warmer in the winter. - Cooler in the summer. More Appealing to Future Buyers: - Documented lower energy costs. - Less affected by energy prices. Friendlier to the Environment: - Conserves natural resources. - Reduces pollution. Plus - You will be playing an important role in the national effort to reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy. What is an Energy Star® Qualified Home? A US Department of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Star® Labeled Home is a single or multi-family unit built to be 15% or more energy efficient than the same dwellings built to the current national energy codes. To meet this standard, the home must be evaluated by a third party nationally accredited Home Energy Rating Systems (HERS) energy professional. Only after the energy performance of each completed dwelling unit has been verified as meeting this higher standard may the builder label it as an Energy Star® Home. Upon receiving this written third party verification, EPA will allow the Energy Star® label to be affixed to the home's breaker box to acknowledge the home has attained Energy Star® standards. Some Benefits of the EPA Energy Star® Homes Program are: Energy Star® helps Homebuyers, Lenders, Builders/GC's, Developers and Architects balance existing building techniques and components for maximum energy performance at minimal (or no) added costs. Energy Star® provides independent confirmation to Consumers that the home is built to meet an established, nationally recognized level of energy performance. Energy Star® provides an excellent match for financing through the HUD/FHA, VA, or Fannie Mae Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) products.