HOUSTON — Sterling University Housing, the student housing affiliate of The Dinerstein Companies, has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) for Homes Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for four of its student housing communities.

The following properties received LEED for Homes Gold certification:

• Sterling North Campus – The University of South Florida in Tampa, Fla. – 206 units/734 beds

• Sterling Fry Street – North Texas University in Denton, Texas – 194 units/614 beds

• Sterling Highlander – University of California-Riverside in Riverside, Calif. – 216 units/598 beds

• Sterling Alvarado – San Diego State University in San Diego, Calif. – 320 units/730 beds

LEED for Homes is a certification program that rewards energy and resource efficient design and construction practices. The process requires home energy (HERS) ratings as well as on-site inspections to verify each home is built to be energy and water efficient, environmentally sound, and a healthier place to live. Each Sterling community is projected to have substantially lower utility bills and improved indoor air quality.

Sterling Alvarado and Sterling Highlander each achieved an energy rating that is more than 20 percent better than California’s Title 24 energy code due in part to ultra-efficient ductless mini-split HVAC systems, Energy Star appliances, and tankless water heaters. Sterling Fry Street’s energy rating was 19.3 percent better than ASHRAE 90.1-2004 and Sterling North Campus’ was 28 percent higher.

For more information about LEED for Homes, visit www.usgbc.org/homes.

For more information about Sterling University Housing, visit www.sterlinghousing.com.

Publication date: 12/24/2012