CPS Energy will recognize Habitat for Humanity with an award at this year’s Greater San Antonio Builders Association Summit Awards for improving the quality of life for new Habitat for Humanity homeowners by building Smart Energy homes. The award presentation will take place on Saturday, July 23 at 7 p.m. at the Omni Hotel Colonnade, 9821 Colonnade Blvd.

The CPS Energy Smart Energy program encourages builders to build homes that use a combination of electricity and natural gas. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, homes with both energy sources, like Habitat for Humanity homes, use at least 20 percent less energy than comparable all-electric homes.

“Habitat for Humanity is truly a model home builder not only for building affordable homes but also for making the effort to incorporate Smart Energy standards in all the homes they build,” said Richard Medina, CPS Energy director for gas engineering and marketing. “New homeowners will enjoy the comfort and convenience of natural gas while saving money, energy, and helping our environment for years to come.”

Since 1976, Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio has built 713 Smart Energy homes. The local organization ranks first in the state of Texas and fourth in the nation for the most homes built by an affiliate. This year, 55 homes are scheduled to be built. All of the homes are built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) level 1 and Smart Energy standards with the annual help of 14,000 volunteers.

“Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio is truly honored to be receiving this recognition,” said Stephanie C. Wiese, Habitat for Humanity vice president for development and communications. “We feel so strongly about CPS Energy’s Smart Energy program -- it’s a win-win situation for everyone involved -- natural gas makes home ownership so much more affordable for our families, and it’s truly better for the environment. We build affordable homes, so it only makes sense that our homes remain affordable for the family to live in for years to come.”

A gas water heater produces more than twice the amount of energy per dollar as an electric water heater and heats twice as fast. That means significant savings for the average family, because water heating is the second largest home energy use. In addition, hot water from natural gas washes clothes more efficiently and today’s natural gas clothes dryers operate at less than one-third the cost of their electric counterparts. Gas dryers can dry three loads of laundry compared to the cost of one load in an electric machine.

For additional information about the benefits of natural gas or appliances eligible for natural gas rebates, visit cpsenergy.com and search natural gas.