SystemVision Program Wins ACEEE Award for Innovation

Advanced Energy’s SystemVision program was recently awarded the Health and Energy Linked Programs (HELP) Award for Innovation from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). The HELP Award is given to programs that use innovative practices and program designs to improve indoor health outcomes and reduce energy waste. A group of public health and energy efficiency experts chose six programs out of nearly 50 nominees to take home an award.

SystemVision is a new construction program that uses practical solutions and simplified processes to aid developers and builders in designing, constructing and marketing affordable homes. It was established in 2001 in response to Hurricane Floyd and has since certified over 5,000 homes in more than half of North Carolina’s counties. SystemVision works to ensure that every home is healthy, safe, comfortable, durable, energy efficient and affordable for the long term.

“It’s a great honor to be recognized nationally for a program that’s been so important to Advanced Energy and the affordable housing industry in North Carolina,” noted Brian Coble, senior vice president of Advanced Energy.

Every SystemVision home receives two 2-year guarantees. The first provides a heating and cooling consumption estimate, and if actual consumption exceeds that estimate, SystemVision pays the difference and works to solve the problem. The second guarantee states that no room will differ by more than three degrees from the thermostat setting. If an issue arises, SystemVision checks it out and helps to find a solution.

SystemVision’s success can be traced back to three primary factors:

• Key partnerships with the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency and nonprofit developers
• Program standards that emphasize practical and achievable steps using low-tech building practices
• Quality processes that are integrated into every aspect of the build cycle to ensure success throughout

Advanced Energy is now taking what it has learned from SystemVision and applying it to other efforts.

Maria Mauceri, SystemVision program manager, puts it well: “I believe that everyone at Advanced Energy can feel proud to be part of an organization that is willing to focus on an underserved market, providing a lasting, positive impact for North Carolina families.”

Congratulations to SystemVision and all who have been involved in the program.