Dec 2 2009
KB Home (NYSE: KBH), one of America’s premier homebuilders, builds all of its homes in Las Vegas – in both new and existing communities – to NV Energy’s strict Energy Plus guidelines.
This commitment expands on a companywide initiative to build all homes to the ENERGY STAR® standards. An ENERGY STAR qualified home is up to 45 percent more efficient than a home built as recently as 10 years ago and an Energy Plus certified home is 15 percent more efficient than that. A new Energy Plus certified home built by KB Home will allow homeowners to reduce their carbon footprint and monthly utility bills for years to come.
“Las Vegas-area homebuyers want quality homes that are energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and affordable – both at the time of purchase and over the lifetime of operating the home,” said Jim Widner, regional president of KB Home. “Energy Plus certified homes drive down costs associated with day-to-day living in a home.”
While energy savings vary depending on the size and features of a home, buyers should know that Energy Plus certified homes are 30 percent more efficient than the state building code requires.
“We are proud to have building partners like KB Home who are committed to going above and beyond what is required to make each one of their homes a meaningful source of energy conservation and efficiency,” said Michael Yackira, president and chief executive officer of NV Energy. “They are truly a credit to the success of our Energy Plus program.”
To increase the energy efficiency of an Energy Plus certified home, builders must upgrade the home’s environmentally friendly features. This includes maximizing the efficiency of the heating and cooling equipment, providing additional insulation in the floors, walls and attic, installing energy-efficient products like appliances and ventilation fans, tightening construction and seals on ducts and controlling air flow in and out of the home. Once the home is completed, it is tested, rated and certified by a third party Home Energy Rating System (HERS) rater to ensure that the upgrades meet the Energy Plus Homes requirements. This results in a more efficient and comfortable home.
KB Home homebuyers can further lower their energy bills and reduce their consumption of natural resources by choosing options from the Company’s My Home. My Earth. ® program in the KB Home Studio. A range of environmentally friendly options are offered in four categories – Energy Efficiency, Inside Environment, Water Wise and Sustainable Sources.
Source: http://www.kbhome.com/