Performance Systems Development to Support FirstEnergy's Energy Efficient New Homes Program

Online, September 24, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Performance Systems Development (PSD), a building performance software and services provider based in Ithaca, New York, has been awarded a three-year contract to implement the Residential New Construction energy efficiency program for FirstEnergy's (NYSE: FE) Pennsylvania utilities - Metropolitan Edison, Pennsylvania Electric and Pennsylvania Power.

This program will encourage builders and buyers of new homes to include energy efficiency as a design feature in residential construction.

"This is an outstanding opportunity for PSD and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," said Kathy Greely, director of programs at Performance Systems Development. "We have helped to develop the marketplace and infrastructure to advance residential energy efficiency in the Commonwealth. These efforts and the businesses that are now in place create the potential for a meaningful and lasting transformation of the home construction industry toward high-quality and energy-efficient construction practices."

In 2007, Performance Systems Development created the award-winning PA Home Energy program which, in partnership with the West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund and the U.S. EPA's ENERGY STAR® program, works to encourage energy efficiency in new and existing homes.

PSD's knowledge of Pennsylvania's residential energy efficiency industry - including a network of builders, contractors, construction services, and RESNET-certified raters - positions it well to assist FirstEnergy's Pennsylvania utilities in meeting their energy efficiency goals, enhances the value of new, ENERGY STAR-compliant homes and helps stimulate small business activity throughout the state.

As both a software design and consulting firm, Performance Systems Development can deliver comprehensive support of residential efficiency programs. This integrated approach, combined with PSD's substantial experience with online tracking tools, will offer builders and raters a simplified way to both manage their activities and submit applications to the program. Making these tools available to raters and builders not only supports them, but allows program managers to review program progress, process incentives, accurately track energy savings and ensure that high standards are consistently delivered.

For the FirstEnergy program, Performance Systems Development is partnering with AFC First, a national leader in residential energy efficiency and renewable lending and rebate programs. PSD also is working with the Pennsylvania Housing Research Center, part of the Pennsylvania State University, which serves the home building industry and the residents of Pennsylvania by improving the quality and affordability of housing.

"Performance Systems Development has industry-leading knowledge and experience in residential energy efficiency program design and implementation," said Kathy Greely. "We look forward to working with FirstEnergy's Pennsylvania utilities and applaud their efforts to encourage the construction and sale of energy efficient homes to Pennsylvania consumers."