Carrier to be Featured in Builder Magazine's 2012 Concept Home Innovative Homes for Baby Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y Buyers

©2011, James F. Wilson/Courtesy, BUILDER Magazine.

ORLANDO, Florida, February 2, 2012 – Carrier home comfort equipment will be featured in the Builder Concept Home 2012 at the International Builders Show (IBS) scheduled for February 8-11, in Orlando, Fla. This 14th annual Builder Concept Home series includes three distinct homes, each reflecting the lifestyle needs of an important demographic group, Gen B (Baby Boomers), Gen X (born between 1965-1980) and Gen Y (born mid-1980s and later). Carrier, the world's leader in high technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions, is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

Set side-by-side on a cul-de-sac, the trio of homes will be available for free guided tours to IBS 2012 attendees from February 8-11, and will serve as model homes for a 1,900-unit section of the Eagle Creek community near Orlando's Lake Nona. The Baby Boomer house also will be rendered as a comprehensive, photo-realistic virtual tour within the project website at www.builderconcepthome2012.com, beginning Feb.8.

The project represents a significant and market-driven shift for residential development in the current economy. "To be economically and socially viable, new master plan communities have to appeal to a broad spectrum of potential buyers with homes that take into account different lifestyle needs," said Boyce Thompson, editorial director at Builder Magazine. "Homes must also be flexible enough to adapt as household circumstances change."

The Builder Concept Home 2012 also will showcase important shifts in development and home-design strategies, including the product applications that make the project successful. Carrier integrated heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) solutions specifically tailored to the lifestyle and comfort needs of each demographic group:

• The home designed for the Baby Boomer generation includes the Carrier® 16 SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) Infinity® two-stage heat pump, a variable-speed indoor air handler and the Performance™ programmable thermostat, all designed to provide Baby Boomers with a home comfort solution that echoes their green lifestyle and assists with cost savings on energy bills.
 
• In the home designed for Gen X, Carrier provided its high-efficiency Infinity® system, including a 19 SEER two-stage heat pump and a fully communicating indoor air handler. The entire system is controlled by an industry-leading user interface, the Infinity® control.
 
• The home designed for Gen Y includes the Carrier® Comfort™ 15 SEER heat pump, a Comfort™Deluxe indoor air handler and Performance™ programmable thermostat, appealing to cost-conscious homeowners.
 

"Carrier is honored to participate in the 2012 Concept Home," said Jim Bode, vice president of strategic accounts, Residential Systems, Carrier. "This unique project allows us to showcase the wide variety of Carrier heating and cooling products, tailoring the home comfort solutions in each house to the lifestyles, comfort levels, efficiency requirements and budgets of each specific demographic group."

Builder commissioned a prestigious project team for the 2012 Concept Home, including Carrier, which was named a HVAC "Brand Leader" in a recent survey conducted by Builder and Readex Research. The 2012 Concept Home builder, Centerline Homes, is the largest private builder in Southern Florida. Woodley Architectural Group, Inc., of Littleton, Colo., designed the Gen Y and Gen B homes, while Canin Associates of Orlando designed the Gen X home and provided the landscape plan for the project. Kay Green Design, Inc., also based in Orlando, will be responsible for the interior design and merchandising of all three homes. Emerson International, Inc. is the development partner.

"Our 2012 project partners serve as benchmarks for quality and innovation," said Warren Nesbitt, executive director of Hanley's Wood Residential New Construction Group. "Their expertise and collaboration will make the Builder Concept Home 2012 one of our most exciting projects to date."

ABOUT CARRIER:

Carrier is the world's leader in high technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions. Carrier experts provide sustainable solutions, integrating energy-efficient products, building controls, and energy services for residential, commercial, retail, transport and foodservice customers. Founded by the inventor of modern air conditioning, Carrier improves the world around us through engineered innovation and environmental stewardship. Carrier is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp., a leading provider to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide. Visit www.carrier.com for more information.

ABOUT BUILDER MAGAZINE:

Published by Hanley Wood, Builder is the leading brand in residential construction and serves as the magazine of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). For more than three decades, Builder has provided essential news, information and resources about products, technologies, trends, regulatory requirements and best practices to help home building professionals navigate challenges for success. With an integrated media platform encompassing print, online and in-person, Builder is a trusted source for top builders, architects and other industry professionals across the country. www.builderonline.com.

ABOUT HANLEY WOOD:

Hanley Wood is a leading business-to-business media company focused on the residential, commercial construction and design industries. Its diverse portfolio includes magazines, websites, e-newsletters, exhibitions and conferences, custom marketing and data services.

Hanley Wood is comprised of four operating platforms: Media, which publishes more than 20 magazines, including Builder magazine, along with related websites, e-newsletters, and conferences; Exhibitions, which produces marquee events that bring residential and commercial construction professionals face-to-face with manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and service providers; Market Intelligence, which collects and aggregates proprietary data sets that capture hundreds of pieces of profile and material information about housing developments in more than 750 housing markets; and Marketing, which plans, creates, and executes strategic and integrated marketing solutions for its clients. www.hanleywood.com.