Monumental 2011!

The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on April 7, 2011 in honoring Sunrise Senior Living and Horizon Bay Retirement Communities for their communities that earned the ENERGY STAR for superior energy efficiency. ENERGY STAR certified buildings use 35 percent less energy and emit 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Sunrise and Horizon Bay were presented the awards for thirty-two senior care communities at the ALFA 2011 Conference & Expo

“Sunrise Senior Living and Horizon Bay Retirement Communities are the first providers of senior living in the nation to have communities earn the prestigious ENERGY STAR from the EPA,” said Richard P. Grimes, president and CEO of the Assisted Living Federation of America. “ALFA applauds Sunrise, Horizon Bay and other senior living companies who plan to earn their environmental credentials by participating in ENERGY STAR program. Thank you to EPA for taking an interest in seniors housing and managing a program that will help senior living advance business excellence and environmentally friendly programs.”

ALFA led an effort to encourage EPA to expand the ENERGY STAR energy performance scale to senior care in 2009. Late last year, the EPA announced the new category and shared information on how providers could participate. ALFA has been actively encouraging members companies to participate in the program. Senior living companies interested in learning more about the ENERGYSTAR program for seniors housing may visit alfa.org/greenbusiness and energystar.gov/seniorcare.

For more than a decade, EPA has partnered with businesses and organizations to voluntarily reduce greenhouse gas emissions through strategic energy management practices. To qualify for the ENERGY STAR, a building or manufacturing plant must earn a 75 or higher on EPA's 1-100 energy performance scale, indicating that the building performs in the top 25 percent of buildings nationwide. The ENERGY STAR energy performance scale accounts for differences in operating conditions, regional weather data, and other important considerations.

Earn Recognition for Your Efforts

Senior living companies, demonstrate your fiscal responsibility and environmental leadership by having your eligible communities honored at the next ALFA Conference and Expo! To be considered an ENERGY STAR, your community must score a 75 or higher as calculated by EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. If you are interested in learning more about the ENERGYSTAR program for seniors housing, please visit energystar.gov/seniorcare.