NYSERDA: Number Of New Energy-Efficient Homes Up 10% In 2012
March 19, 2013 7:03 PM 
A ten percent increase in the production of energy efficient homes has the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency looking toward the future.
The number of recently built New York ENERGY STAR Certified homes rose by more than 200 last year, to 2,262. In 2011, the number was 2,049.
The rise is attributed to the inclusion of different residences, including duplexes, townhomes and multi-family buildings. New energy efficient homes are also being built in spite of a low amount of new construction starts in the U.S. In 2012, housing starts were at nearly their lowest rate in more than 50 years.
Among the regions showing the most new homes are the Finger Lakes and Western New York, with numbers of 461 and 514, respectively. But, the largest increases came from the downstate region, with improvements of 87 percent in the Bronx and Westchester counties. A 40 percent increase was found in Kings and Queens counties, where 77 new projects took place.
Francis Murray, Jr., with NYSERDA, says he expects the numbers to grow again this year, as more builders work to increase the energy efficiency of new homes to meet Governor Andrew Cuomo’s initiatives. He also says older residents will continue to look for other housing options as they age.
“As more baby boomers look to downsize, and cost-conscious young people look for ways to reduce living expenses, low-rise multi-family homes are meeting an important housing need,” Murray noted.
Since 2001, more than $26 million in incentives have been paid to produce new energy-efficient homes.
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