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Ed Nikles Joins FirstEnergy’s PA Energy Efficient Program

Ed Nikles Jr — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 15:04:00 GMT

Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. Joins FirstEnergy’s Pennsylvania Energy Efficient New Homes Program

Milford, PA builder Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. is excited to announce their acceptance as a participating builder in the Pennsylvania Energy Efficient New Homes Program. This program is offered by FirstEnergy Corporation’s Pennsylvania utility companies including Metropolitan Edison, Pennsylvania Electric, and Pennsylvania Power.

All homes built as part of this program must be at least 15% more efficient than required by building code. The average High-Performance Energy Star home designed and built by Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. is approximately 44% more efficient than required by code: a statistic that has earned them many awards, including the 2010 Green Home of the Year Award from the Pike County Builder’s Association.

The Pennsylvania Energy Efficient New Homes Program is intended to encourage builders and buyers of new homes within the utility companies’ Pennsylvania service territories to include energy efficiency as a design feature. Homes will receive a stringent evaluation conducted by an independent, certified home energy rater to determine whether they meet the program’s 15% minimum above code threshold requirement.

Energy efficient homes can save homebuyers thousands of dollars in energy costs throughout the life of the building. Investing in efficiency measures during construction can continue to provide payback for decades, like many of the homes built by Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. which save their owners, on average, approximately $2,000 a year in utility bills.

For more information on Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc., please call 1-570-296-9200 or visit them online at www.ednikles.com. For more information on FirstEnergy’s Pennsylvania Energy Efficient New Homes Program, please visit www.energysavepa-newhomes.com.

Ed Nikles Certified Gold Level Green Home Triples Threshold for Home Energy Efficiency !

Ed Nikles Jr — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 14:59:00 GMT

Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. Constructs High Performance Home Earning the Highest Energy Star Rating

Milford, PA - Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc., has certified another Gold Level Green Home under the National Green Building Guidelines with their newest custom built home. Built with many new high-performance, energy-efficient technologies, this beautiful home also scored a 5 star + rating under the Energy Star Program and is 46% more efficient than required by code (earning a HERS Rating of 54), despite its sprawling 4,800 square feet on three levels.

This new home, built in Pennsylvania, was constructed like all other Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. high performance homes - with energy-efficiency in mind. HERS (Home Energy Rating System) is an energy rating system that involves an analysis of a home's construction plans and on-site inspections. The standard HERS rating homes, in order to become Energy Star certified is 85, or 15% more energy efficient than code. In other words, Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. not only surpassed the minimum requirement, but more than tripled it by obtaining a HERS rating of 54 , which is 46% more efficient than a Code-Built home.

In order to create such an efficient home, Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. installed a 3-zone hybrid multi-stage heat pump with a high efficiency propane gas back-up; 3 instant hot water heaters strategically located close to the plumbing sources; Pella Architect Series windows; an HRV (heat-recovery ventilator) system that exchanges the air in the house with fresh air; a built-in central dehumidification unit for the lower level of the house, and all Energy Star certified appliances.

It is the energy efficiency plus the proper site planning, use of sustainably materials, water saving plumbing fixtures, and the use of no or low V.O.C. products in the home that enabled them to certify this home as a Gold Level Green Home .

Ed Nikes Custom Builder, Inc. is dedicated to make every home energy-efficient, with "green" home advantages, high-performance technologies, and brand name products. Their unique building processes, including Smart Design (part of their Design/Build Process), make their homes truly unique and customized to fit not only their clients' needs, but more importantly, their budgets.

For more information regarding Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc.'s energy-efficient homes , please call (570) 296-9200 or visit www.ednikles.com .

Edward D. Nikles CGP CAPS CAASH GMB CGB CGR CR

Ed Nikles New Custom Home Triples the Threshold for Home Energy Efficiency !

Ed Nikles Jr — Wed, 26 May 2010 15:38:00 GMT

Ed Nikles New Custom Home Triples the Threshold for Home Energy Efficiency !

Milford, PA - Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. has raised the bar for energy efficient homes once again. Their newest high performance home, a three bedroom, two bath ranch home in Dingman Township, not only has a Five Star Plus Energy Star rating (the highest possible), is 48% more energy efficient than code requires, and has a HERS (Home Energy Rating System) rating of 52; it also saves its owners an estimated $2,517 dollars a year in gas and electric bills.

HERS is an energy rating system that involves an analysis of a home's construction plans and on-site inspections. The standard HERS rating for energy efficient homes, in order to become Energy Star certified is 85, or 15% more energy efficient. Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. has not only created a home that is 48% energy efficient, but their average HERS rating is 56 - which is 44% more efficient, or almost triple the efficiency threshold required by Energy Star. According to Peter Vargo, a third party verifier who tested the home's efficiency with a blower-door test, the new home is, out of over 200 houses that he's tested, "...in the top ten of the blower-door tests that I've ever tested for a fiberglass insulated home." To clarify, a blower-door test determines a home's efficiency by replacing the entry door with a canvas door, hooking up a fan to a computer, putting negative pressure on the house and determining the home's efficiency with special energy software.

In order to accomplish this outstanding HERS rating, Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. used a variety of building techniques to make the home more efficient. In the basement, they started with a Superior Wall Xi foundation, which comes with 2.5 inches of foam (R-12.5) installed on the walls and provides superior warmth. In the skylight tunnels, they installed 4 inches of rigid foam, which is much more efficient than the standard fiberglass used by other companies, and the home was insulated with upgraded Johns Mansville Formaldehyde-Free insulation, which eliminates off-gassing found in typical fiberglass insulation. In the attic, an R-40 EPS gasketed attic entry system was installed, which uses weather-stripped thick foam to keep heat from leaving through the attic access. In addition, all of the exterior sheathing joints and wall plates were foam caulked and sealed to prevent air infiltration, and a vent fan connected to an automatic timer was installed to exhaust both humid bath and stale air from the home, ensuring cleaner air throughout the house.

As for the mechanical equipment, Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. installed a tank-less water heater, which heats on demand, eliminating standing heat loss from conventional tank units and providing virtually unlimited hot water. A 95.5% efficient furnace with 2 inch R-8 insulated ducts, sealed at all joints and seams, was instituted to minimize air leakage. An Energy Star Advanced Lighting Package was installed with 100% compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL), as were all Energy Star appliances, including refrigerator, dishwasher, and frontloading washing machine and Energy Star certified Pella windows.

After easily surpassing the standard required by Energy Star, Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. has applied for the Builder's Challenge Certification, administered by the Department of Energy, whose minimum threshold for energy efficiency must be 30% better than code. The Builder's Challenge Certification recognizes the outstanding home efficiency achieved by Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc., whose goal is to build houses with typical construction methods that are 30-50% higher than code, not just the 15% Energy Star threshold. Their expertise on energy efficiency can save homeowners thousands of dollars per year and their company is dedicated to educating their clients on the many benefits of energy efficient homes.

For more information on this home or any other built by Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc., please call (570) 296-9200 or visit www.ednikles.com or www.greencountryhomes.com . Keepin' it Green !

Edward D. Nikles CGP CAPS CAASH GMB CGB CGR CR

Ed Nikles Custom Builder Inc. Wins Pocono's Choice Award !

Ed Nikles Jr — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 21:52:00 GMT

Ed Nikles Custom Builder , Inc. wins 2010 Pocono Choice Award !

Ed Nikles, Sr.

MILFORD - In 2008, Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. was recognized by the National Association of Home Builders ( NAHB ) for its custom home building expertise. Now, in 2010, the company's outstanding reputation has caught the eye of local consumers in Monroe, Wayne, and Pike Counties. As 2010 Winner of the Pocono's Choice Award in the Home Builders Category, Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. is honored as the best and most well-known custom home-building company in the area.

The Pocono's Choice Competition, conducted by the Polk-Lepson Research Group, is a statistically accurate survey of consumer preference in the Poconos. After surveying hundreds of local consumers in Monroe, Wayne, and Pike Counties, Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. was determined the best business in the Home Builders category, breaking the eight-year winning streak of last year's recipient.

With over forty six years of experience in the construction business, Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. has built numerous custom homes in and throughout Pike County. Located in Milford, Pennsylvania, they have received many awards for their state of the art approach to custom building, including their line of "Green Country Homes". Their Green homes are ecologically friendly and save their homeowners thousands of dollars (up to 50%) in energy savings every year.

Recently, Nikles completed building a 4,600-square-foot custom home that scored silver under the NAHB program and has a 5-Star Plus Energy Star rating. In 2008, he became the first custom builder in Pike County to build a Gold Certified Green home, and Ed Nikles Sr. , Ed Nikles Jr. & Jim Weber are all Certified Green Professionals.

In 2009, Nikles introduced another new line of construction called Smart Design, in which a plethora of options are incorporated into the home building and operation process for highly sustainable living. These options include choices in price, size, energy efficiency, green options, universal design, products, and land. The goal of Smart Design is to create homes that enable families to live more comfortably, with lower maintenance and utility bills, while still reducing the impact the home has on the environment. Energy, water consumption, building design and materials, and indoor air quality are all taken into consideration during the design, construction and operation of a smartly designed home.

As a full-service Home Construction and Design Company, Ed Nikles has won various local, state, and national awards including the Pennsylvania Builders Association's "Distinguished Builders" award in 2004, the Pike County Chamber of Commerce "Business of the Year" award in 2006, the National Association of Home Builders "Custom Homebuilder of the Year" award in 2008, and most recently the Pocono's Choice Award as the "Leader in Home Building" in 2010.

For more information, call Ed Nikles Custom Builder Inc. at (570) 296-9200 or

web : http://www.ednikles.com

Blog: http://ednikles.com

green blog : http://greencountryhomes.com

greenweb: www.greencountryhomes.com

Center For Developmental Disabilities (CDD) to honor Ed Nikles Sr. with the "Children's Champion Award"at "Chef's Do Dinner" !

Ed Nikles Jr — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 21:41:00 GMT

Center For Developmental Disabilities (CDD) to honor Ed Nikles Sr. with the "Children's Champion Award"at "Chef's Do Dinner" !

Barbara J. Buchanan, Chairperson of the 2010 CDD Chef's Do Dinner, is pleased to announce the "Chef's Do Dinner" will be held on March 23, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., at the Best Western Inn at Hunt's Landing, and with only three hundred reservations available, seats will go fast. Buchanan stated, "I am honored to chair this event and look forward to the community's continued support of the children with developmental disabilities in our community."

Every year, the Center for Developmental Disabilities (CDD) hosts "Chef's Do Dinner", a delicious dining event featuring samples from the area's most beloved restaurants. With endless plate-filling opportunities and delicious desserts to top it off, the event is always remembered fondly and awaited anxiously by those who attend.

Silver Palate Sponsorship Packages are available for purchase and include tickets to the Chef's Do Dinner on March 23rd, as well as separate tickets to the Silver Palate Sponsorship Event, which will be held on Sunday, March 21, 2010 at The Fork at Twin Lakes from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Program advertising opportunities are also available for sponsorship of the Back Cover, Inside Covers, Full, Half and Quarter Pages.

With previous participating restaurants including The Fork at Twin Lakes, The Muir House, The Waterwheel Café, and Hotel Fauchere, "Chef's Do Dinner" always offers diners a variety of scrumptious samples from some of the area's finest chefs. Guests are welcome to fill their plate as many times as possible, and, if there is something they particularly like, may speak to the chef himself about his culinary masterpiece at his restaurant's station.

Aside from offering a variety of culinary delights, "Chef's Do Dinner" honors a person or company every year with the "Children's Champion Award". This year's recipient is Ed Nikles, Sr., President and CEO of Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc. Ann Gillerlane, Executive Director of the CDD stated, "The CDD is pleased to honor Mr. Nikles for his ardent compassion and dedication, and for advocating continuous educational and therapeutic programs on behalf of the children with developmental disabilities and delays living in our community."

For over forty years, the Center for Developmental Disabilities has provided the Tri-State Area with educational, therapeutic, and family support services for children with developmental delays and disabilities, from birth to kindergarten age. As the only service of its kind in all of the Tri-State Area, many families depend on the CDD for their expert facilities, teachers, and family counseling to help them and their child progress. Proceeds from "Chef's Do Dinner" help the CDD to provide these services to families, so that their children might grow and laugh in ways that might have otherwise been impossible.

Tickets for this event sell out quickly, so early reservations are advised. Reservations must be confirmed by March 15^th or seats will not be held. Tickets are $85 per person. For more information, please contact Diane J. Chudoba, Vice President of Development at 570-296-3992 ext. 64 or e-mail dchudoba@cddkids.org.

Please support this wonderful cause which provides services to hundreds of local children with special abilities including my son , Colin E. Nikles ! Keepin' it Green !

Edward D. Nikles CAPS CAASH CGP GMB CGB CGR

I just became 6th CAASH in Pennsylvania & 81st in the entire country !

Ed Nikles Jr — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:16:00 GMT

I recently completed the 3 required courses for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB ) Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing ( CAASH ) Designation prior to the 2009 IBS Show in Las Vegas . The first course was Designing for the Active Adult , the second course was Selling to Active Adults & finally the last course was Trends & Research Methods to Define the Active Adult Lifestyle. I received notice yesterday , June 18th , that my application was approved by NAHB as one of only 6 select and qualified industry professionals in the State of Pennsylvania & 81 in the entire Country to earn this new NAHB designation !

The active adult market is the fastest-growing segment of the housing industry today and into the foreseeable future . The Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing ( CAASH ) designation gives housing professionals serving this rapidly burgeoning market the essential knowledge , tools , and skills that will help them succeed - from conducting initial research to design considerations and features to servicing the customer . I look forward to putting the CAASH & the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist ( CAPS ) designations to good use in servicing the needs of the 55+ market here in Pike County PA .

Edward D. Nikles CAASH , CAPS , CGP , GMB , CGB , CGR

Aging-in Place Specialists

Ed Nikles Jr — Thu, 14 May 2009 15:39:00 GMT

On May 5th, I was notified by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) that I officially received my Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) Designation ! I wasted no time founding the group Aging-in-Place Specialists in ActiveRain . This designation is especially important to me as my 7 year old son , Colin , has Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy & is Wheelchair bound . A couple years ago , I added an Accessible Ramp from my garage into my mudroom to allow Zero Threshold access to the main floor living areas . I purchased an Accessible Van with ramp to allow us to keep Colin in his wheelchair as we transport him . I know I will have to make Further Modifications to my own home as my son gets bigger & heavier ! My 4 year old 2 story office building is already fully accessible with Elevator & Ramps , as well as 3 Accessible Baths .

My 100 year old Maternal Grandmother , who lives with my parents ( Elder Care) , has severe osteoporosis & cataracts and uses a Walker to get around . She has a Hospital Bed in her 1st floor Converted Den/Bedroom & needs special Grab Bars in the bathroom . My 87 year old Paternal Grandmother . who Lives Independently in an Active Adult apartment complex nearby , also uses a walker to get around .

As a Father , Grandson , Custom Builder , Remodeler , & Realtor I look forward to your design & marketing ideas , product information , input & support as I continue on my journey to learn as much as I can about Aging-in-Place , Accessibility & Universal Design . I will be incorporating these Smart Design ideas in my own home & clients homes in the near future . Thanks in advance ! Edward D. Nikles CAPS , CGP , GMB , CGB , CGR

2009 -- The New American Home ( TNAH ) 6755 Agave Azul Court Las Vegas NV

Ed Nikles Jr — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 23:28:00 GMT

Today , I toured this Desert Contemporary Architectural Style Home featuring 8,816 Sq. Ft. of Living Space , a subterranean courtyard at the basement level , sky deck (closed due to the rainy weather ) , & wine cellar. It was well worth the 1 hour wait to see TNAH ! Equal parts laboratory , education tool , & product showcase , TNAH incorporates , elements such as builders' best practices , energy efficiency , indoor air quality , safety , convenience & aesthetics . It demonstrates that excellence in housing performance can be built into any home -- large or small , simple or complex . The design , construction , & amenities which showcased the latest in innovative products for the future of home building were driven by consumer preferences & expectations . I would recommend seeing it on line at www.TNAH.com if you can't visit it in person ! Keepin' it Green ! Ed Nikles Jr.

65th Annual National Association Of Home Builders IBS Show in Las Vegas

Ed Nikles Jr — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:18:00 GMT

Hello everyone , I just arrived in Las Vegas well ahead of next Tuesday's IBS Opening ! I'm taking the 3 required courses for my Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing (CAASH) Designation prior to the IBS Show . The first course starting on Saturday is called Designing for the Active Adult , the second course starting on Sunday is called Selling to Active Adult & finally the last course on Monday is called Trends & Research Methods to Define the Active Adult Lifestyle . I'll also be attending the Opening Ceremonies with Coach Lou Holtz (Notre Dame) as the Keynote Speaker & as well as some of the other 250 Educational Seminars at the IBS Show . I'm really looking forward to seeing the many new and exciting products & services in the Exhibitor Display Areas , especially all the New Green Products . I'll be adding more shortly ! Keepin' it Green ! Ed Nikles Jr.

Welcome to the new Ed Nikles Custom Builder , Inc. blog !

Ed Nikles Jr — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:38:00 GMT

We are starting a new blog in order to keep in touch with our Customers , Trade Contractors , Suppliers & Friends ! We will be adding more shortly ! Happy New Year ! Keepin' it Green ! Ed Nikles Jr.