When a builder registers a home with the Built Green program, it must meet the program’s criteria, known as the Built Green Checklist. The Checklist includes an energy efficiency requirement and a menu of options from which the builder must select a minimum number. These options further address energy savings in addition to site protection, health and safety, building durability, and resource conservation. Y Construction’s score of 270 points from the checklist was more than three times that required by the program.

Built Green Colorado’s State Coordinator Traci D’Alessio said Y Construction also received an extremely high rating of 95 points on the Home Energy Rating Scale (HERS), exceeding the qualifying level for the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy’s nationally recognized Energy Star® program. She noted that the high rating is approximately 65 percent more energy efficient than conventionally built homes. The home also incorporated a passive solar design and active solar hot water heating/radiant heat flooring.

"Y Construction has not only been an inspiration within the Built Green program, but has set a new standard in building energy efficient homes in Pueblo and throughout Colorado."

"We continue to be impressed with Y Construction, Craftsman Homes, Spera Homes and Oakwood for their commitment to building homes that save energy and resources, are more durable, require less maintenance, and provide cleaner indoor air. Not only will the owners of these better built homes enjoy significant cost savings and comfort benefits, the environment is certainly benefited as well," D’Alessio said. "People may not think of Pueblo as leading in this arena, but this year’s Parade of Homes has garnered one of the best and highest scoring I’ve ever seen. They have done a fantastic job."

Built Green^{® Colorado is a voluntary, statewide program created in 1995 through the joint efforts of the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver, the Governor’s Office of Energy Management and Conservation, Xcel Energy and E-Star Colorado. The purpose of the program is to encourage homebuilders to build homes that are better built and better for the environment through the use of technologies, products and practices that save energy, water and natural resources, and at the same time improve indoor air quality and enhance a home’s durability. To learn more, visit www.builtgreen.org.}