All Star Vacation Homes Welcomes LEED® Gold Certified Eco-Friendly Vacation Home Into Its Management Program

Online, November 7, 2012 (Newswire.com) - All Star Vacation Homes is excited to welcome its first LEED®, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, certified home into its vacation home management and hospitality program. The 7-bedroom, 8-bathroom vacation home, located in Formosa Gardens Estates (Kissimmee, Fla.), has received a Gold rating from the U.S. Green Building Council certifying its high performance in sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. All Star Vacation Homes is pleased to offer the green vacation home, the first LEED certified vacation home to receive All Star's Signature Estate rating, to guests seeking to minimize their impact on the environment during their Orlando vacation.

LEED is an internationally recognized green building program that provides third-party verification of sustainable homes. Participation in the LEED program is voluntary and demonstrates leadership, innovation, environmental stewardship and social responsibility. To become certified, the home must pass a variety of field inspections, performance testing and on-site verification to document LEED strategies and determine if the home has met or exceeded program requirements.

With a LEED Gold rating (the second to highest rating), this home has been constructed with the following environmentally-friendly and healthy features:

• Florida Water Star SM certified components
• Graywater reuse system
• Rain water-harvested irrigation system
• Central heat and air conditioning with high-efficiency geothermal compressors
• Whole-house dehumidifier to reduce dust and allergens
• Cross-draft home ventilation system
• Energy Star lighting fixtures
• Structured wiring
• Miele brand Energy Star-qualified appliances
• Solar-generated water and pool heaters
• Interior paint with no VOCs
• Recycled wood flooring panels
• Custom imported tiles made of recycled granite and marble
• Green Label-certified carpeting in game room
• Forest Stewardship Council-approved lumber throughout

In addition, this vacation home is located next to a conservation area and Moon Lake in the Formosa Gardens Estates community and sleeps up to 16 guests with 7 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, luxury amenities, high ceilings and custom decor. Amenities include a home theater with 120" projection screen, HD projector, surround sound and wet bar; game room with 47" LCD TV, three arcade machines, PlayStation 3 and air hockey table; screened-in pool and patio area with a swim-against current lap pool, spa and a fire pit pool sitting area; outdoor four-hole putting green and two laundry rooms. Guests can also enjoy scenic nature and lake views from the home's four patio balconies. Through All Star's Guest Services Team, guests can have groceries and wines delivered and placed in the home's refrigerator and wine closet upon arrival.

"This eco-friendly Signature Estate vacation home accommodates a growing group of guests who are concerned about the environmental footprint they leave behind," said Steve Trover, CEO of All Star Vacation Homes. "We are pleased to offer this unique vacation home that promotes environmental stewardship and responsibility, and also provides the space and amenities for a luxurious getaway."

The vacation home is a model home built by Formosa Gardens Homes, Inc., known for its quality construction and design. Serving as an example of its first environmentally-friendly vacation home, Formosa Gardens Homes will be constructing more luxury vacation homes that are sustainable and low in utility costs. An experienced home builder in Central Florida since 1993, Formosa Gardens Homes specializes in sustainable building practices and uses insulated concrete forms in all its homes. The company integrates its distinct combination of vision, quality, luxury, aesthetics and location into every project. Its communities are strategically located in the Formosa Gardens development along US-192, just two miles from the Walt Disney World® Resort main entrance. Formosa Gardens Homes, Inc. is a member of the National Association of Home Builders and Florida Green Building Coalition.

For more information or to make a reservation with All Star Vacation Homes, guests can visit www.AllStarVacationHomes.com or call 1-800-396-1173.