Spring Weather Underscores the Need for Energy Efficiency In New Homes

Online, March 31, 2010 (Newswire.com) - HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. - The erratic weather during the month of March turned the homes at K. Hovnanian's Hunter's Brook into a real-life demonstration of the benefits of houses built to New Jersey Energy Star standards.

"We've been in touch with our homeowners after each weather event," said Sean Mulhall, community manager. "We're hearing how impressed they were with the comfort they felt in their homes."

With only a handful of homes remaining, Hunter's Brook offers single-family homes, spacious backyards, great schools and a friendly community. Each home here is independently tested to meet the New Jersey Energy Star standards, which means the home will be about 33 percent more energy efficient than a similar home built merely to the Building Codes.

"That means lower energy bills over the life of these homes. We go beyond 'code' and earn the Energy Star certification because it's another way we bring more value to our homeowners," said Mulhall. "It means these homes are better built and remain comfortable, draft-free and energy efficient, no matter what it's doing outside."

Mulhall said the recent blizzard, wind and rains, followed by the arrival of spring weather show the varied environments these homes are built to deal with. Because of the Energy Star construction, he said, these homes remained at steady comfortable temperatures. Extra insulation, special windows and other building techniques assure that even during high winds, no breezes come through the windows or outside walls and the homes stay quiet and evenly heated or cooled.

"And these homes will stay that way in a few months when we're talking about scorching temperatures," he added.

Mulhall said only a few homes are still available here, and they will be eligible for the federal homebuyer tax credit for buyers who enter contract before the end of April.

"This community continues to be very popular for those who want to live in the Northwest New Jersey with good access to highways and rail transportation," said Sean Mulhall, community manager. "We're down to our last few home and we thought we take a good thing and make it better."

Mulhall said Hunter's Brook has been successful not only because of its energy efficiency, but because of its family-friendly home styles, convenient location and beautiful surroundings. With the tax incentive, low interest rates, the great school system in town and good transportation, Mulhall predicted the remaining homes, all in prime locations, would sell quickly.

Most of K. Hovnanian's single-family and townhome communities in New Jersey meet New Jersey Energy Star standards, said Mulhall.

Hunters Brook features 101 single-family homes ranging in size from 2,500 square feet to nearly 3,500 square feet. All homes have four to five bedrooms, 2½ to 3 baths and a two-car garage. All homes also feature basements for added living space. Hunters Brook offers some of the premier designs that the public has come to expect from K. Hovnanian.

All homes feature a grand entry foyer, a formal living room and a formal dining room that will lead into the designer kitchen with a breakfast nook and a dramatic family room. Most rooms on the first floor have 9-foot ceilings, with some even boasting 17-foot ceilings. Fireplaces are standard in all family rooms.

Each of these homes features a variety of options and upgrades based on the most popular selections. Pricing for a home at Hunters Brook starts in upper $300s.

Set alongside the Musconetcong River and located within the rustic Skylands Region of New Jersey, Hunters Brook homeowners will find themselves in the midst of the Garden State's best recreational opportunities. One can play championship golf or go fishing, hiking, biking, horseback riding, rafting and even ballooning.

The region also contains a diverse, beautiful geography filled with two national parks of more than 60,000 acres of land, babbling rivers, rolling hills, quaint farms and serene lakes.

Children who live in Hunters Brook have the opportunity to attend quality public, private and parochial schools. The community's location offers excellent shopping destinations as well. Residents will have easy access to Interstates 78 and 80 and State Route 46 as well as convenient bus and rail transportation to New York City for work or a night on the town.

For more information on the final opportunities at Hunter's Brook, call (908) 850-1401 or click on www.khov.com/huntersbrook.