TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Highly efficient air conditioning and energy technologies from LG Electronics are at the heart of a unique green building initiative that is bringing the concept of "net-zero energy" design and construction to life.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110203/CG42292LOGO-d)

The just-completed first phase of the Zero Energy America™ project in Tampa Bay is considered a benchmark of environmental stewardship and sustainable "green" building for the housing industry. LG Electronics played a key role in the project – initiated by Marc Rutenberg Homes to provide discerning homebuyers with highly efficient luxury homes – supplying LG technology solutions that complement the unique design features of the home.

"Not only were we looking to build exceptionally efficient homes, we were able to provide a model for sustainable home construction and keep it upscale, fashion forward and real," said Marc Rutenberg, president, Marc Rutenberg Homes, who led the project along with his daughter, Ashley Rutenberg, project LEED AP. "Thanks in large part to LG's energy efficient technologies, we're giving our clients in the Tampa Bay area the potential for electric bill free living and a tangible way to visualize what it means to live in a sustainable world."

To conquer the daunting task of cooling the large square footage of the Florida homes (ZEA 1 in Palm Harbor, Fla. is a 4,522-square-foot luxury home), Marc Rutenberg turned to LG's innovative variable refrigerant flow (VRF) solutions, constructing a system with a single outdoor unit and five indoor zones to help provide the optimal temperature control by zone and efficiency levels throughout the space.

"We've developed solutions for our customers around the world to provide high levels of both comfort and efficiency," said Kevin McNamara, vice president, Commercial Air Conditioning, LG Electronics USA. "LG is proud to work with visionary home builders like Marc Rutenberg who bring technologies from throughout the energy-efficient industries together to produce remarkable, comprehensive solutions to energy concerns."

The homes are a model for sustainable construction, explained Marc Rutenberg, who also drove the net zero capabilities with LG's MonoX™ solar modules designed to exceed the demands of the Zero Energy America home energy requirements. LG's technologically advanced Photovoltaic module, Mono X boasts the highest power output among all LG modules in its class. While conventional mono products run at 240W, advanced units operate at 260W. With a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) index of negative 12, the NET meter installed by Duke Energy displayed energy returning to the grid when activated at the grueling end of a Florida summer, where average summer temperatures reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit and 90-plus-percent humidity.

The four sites that make up the Zero Energy America project are located in the Tampa Bay area in Central Florida. ZEA 1 and 2, which represent phase 1 of the project and are also referred to as the ZEA Castaway III model, are located in Palm Harbor. ZEA 3 is located in Odessa, Fla., while ZEA 4 is located in Trinity, Fla.  In addition to integrating LG's air conditioning and energy solutions into their designs, the homes feature LG ENERGY STAR® qualified consumer electronics products, including some of the industry's most efficient LED TVs.

Due in part to the use of LG's solar panels, VRF systems and ENERGY STAR TVs, the Zero Energy America homes are designed to achieve the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program "LEED for Homes" Platinum certification, as well as other green building standards set by the National Association of Home Builders' National Green Building Standard and the Florida Green Building Coalition.

More information can be found at www.LG-VRF.com and www.LG-Solar.com.

Designs, features and specifications subject to change without notice.  LG LED TVs are LCD TVs with LED backlighting.

LG Electronics USA Air Conditioning
The LG Electronics USA Commercial Air Conditioning business is based in Alpharetta, Ga. A 2012 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year, LG is a leading player in the global air conditioning market, manufacturing both commercial and residential air conditioners and providing total sustainability and building management solutions. From consumer and individual units to industrial and specialized air conditioning systems, LG provides a wide range of products for heating, ventilating and air conditioning. LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a $49 billion global force and technology leader in consumer electronics, home appliances. mobile communications, and air conditioning & energy solutions. For more information, please visit www.LG-DFS.com, www.LG-VRF.com and www.LG.com.

"LG Life's Good" is a registered trademark of LG Corp. All other product and brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

SOURCE LG Electronics USA, Inc.