Southern Nevada's buiders overwhelm new homebuyers with planet-friendly programs...READ MORE
AUGUST SHOWCASE
Feature Story
Southern Nevada builders overwhelm new homebuyers with planet-friendly programs
The dog days of summer have crept in and with them come the high expense of keeping cool. According to the State Bureau of Consumer Protection, last August power bills in Southern Nevada averaged in at $284.31. And that's just the average! Water – or lack thereof – is also a big concern in our drought-laden desert. The combination of a serious scarcity of water and the high price of energy creates a clear mandate that we must be very gentle and conservative with our use of natural resources. Local builders have dedicated themselves to building homes that are stocked with environmentally friendly amenities and programs so that new homebuyers not only save energy and water, but also cold, hard cash. That's probably one of the number one advantages of buying a new home in today's market – the spaces are outfitted from head to toe in the latest and greatest conservation offerings the industry has to offer.
AMERICAN WEST HOMES
American West believes in building homes today for tomorrow's world. The builder's philosophy is simple: "We all have an impact on the planet and the fact that our homes are ENERGY STAR® and Energy Plus certified ensures that we are making a difference not only for our homeowners but also our world."
American West started their conservation programs because they recognize that the efficient use of energy today will not only help to ease current energy strains and costs, but also ensure the availability of energy for the future. Energy conservation programs the builder has in place include both ENERGY STAR and Energy Plus certified. These certifications mean that your new American West home is twice as energy efficient as homes that only qualify as ENERGY STAR, and that your new home is also better built and uses less energy which results in reduced energy costs. Energy Plus certified homes are approximately 30% more energy efficient than code-built homes.
Energy conservation features included in American West homes include:
– Carrier® 14-SEER natural gas heat and electric air-conditioning
– Superior R-13 insulation in exterior walls and R-30 in ceilings
– Energy-efficient radiant heat barrier and roof sheathing
– Prime Wrap® house wrap
– Vinyl dual-paned Low-E windows and sliding glass doors
– Water-conserving Moen® faucets and showerheads
New homebuyers have been enthusiastic about American West's conservation policies. Most have been thrilled when they saw the extensive list of energy conservation features that were included in their new home and were completely elated by the reduction of energy costs after receiving their energy bill.
A longstanding homebuilder in Southern Nevada, American West has built 70 communities in the Las Vegas Valley and currently has 10 available for new homebuyers to visit.
It just makes sense. That pretty much sums up the conservation philosophy of Desert Wind Homes. Trying to integrate the concept of green building into all aspects of their homes, the builder believes conservation is extremely important especially by virtue of our geographic location. Furthermore, the team at Desert Wind Homes believes that only by implementing conservation programs will we be able to continue the growth our Las Vegas Valley has enjoyed.
Striving to go above and beyond, Desert Wind Homes integrates green building features that the buyer may not even know exists in their new home. They find that for the most part, buyers do not understand all aspects of green building. For example, they explain during new homebuyer walk-throughs that the absence of the "new home smell" is actually a good thing. This smell is actually harmful fumes from carpets and paints. The carpets installed by Desert Wind Homes are Green Label Plus™ and their paints are Low-VOC so when you walk into one of their houses, you don't have this harmful effect.
In addition to "green" paint and carpet, Desert Wind Homes are outfitted with NV Energy Plus and Southern Nevada Water Authority's WET technologies. Desert Wind Homes includes many other green building features as standards in their homes including low-flow toilets, CFL lighting, and radiant roof barrier sheathing.
The team at Distinctive Homes understands that buyers have become more energy conservative and that one of their number one priorities when purchasing a new home is the importance of knowing that their builder understands environmental consciousness. In turn, Distinctive has started offering homes that are more energy efficient which is not only beneficial to the buyer, but also to the environment.
Energy conservation programs employed by the builder include ENERGY STAR® with effective Cocoon® insulation, high Low-E noise reduction windows, efficient heating and cooling ducts. Distinctive offers additional energy-efficient options such as radiant barrier sheathing, 16-SEER heating and cooling gas systems, tankless water heaters, and so much more.
Distinctive Homes currently offers residences in Canyons Estates and Springs Ranch.
Responding to growing concerns about the rising costs of energy, the state of the environment, and dwindling supplies of precious natural resources, in 1998 Pardee Homes became one of the first homebuilders to see the need and the value of a green building program. That very year Pardee started going green.
"Green homes are better built homes and building better has defined our company since it began in 1921," said Mike McGee, president and CEO of Pardee Homes. "With today's LivingSmart® homes, we offer buyers greater comfort, better efficiency and more earth-friendly homes – just some of the many benefits of a LivingSmart® home."
Pardee's commitment to conserve water, land and energy is reflected in the innovative LivingSmart® program that includes saving money, promoting health, improving comfort and using resources efficiently to deliver practical, tangible rewards to homebuyers. Features the builder currently includes in each home to reduce energy consumption are spectrally selective glass to keep homes cooler in summer and warmer in winter, extra insulation and sealed ducts, energy-efficient appliances, radiant barrier, fluorescent lighting and programmable thermostats. New Pardee homes also have plumbing fixtures, appliances and landscape design that help conserve water usage.
Under the categories of EnergySmart®, WaterSmart®, HealthSmart®, and EarthSmart®, Pardee's LivingSmart® program includes standard and optional measures that boost energy efficiency, save water, improve indoor air quality, encourage material conservation and the use of recycled or sustainable resources in all new Pardee homes.
Pardee Homes continues to earn top honors for its green and sustainable achievements, including being named Green Building Advocate of the Year 2010 by the National Association of Home Builders. The company has also been honored by the U.S. Department of Energy, the State of Nevada Energy Task Force and the Southern Nevada Water Authority.
In Southern Nevada, Pardee currently offers green homes through its LivingSmart® program at eight valley neighborhoods, including Rosetta and Serrano in Mountain's Edge; Trail Ridge near Durango and Blue Diamond; Ashwood in Nevada Trails; Montclaire in Henderson; Riverstone in North Las Vegas; Solamar in the northwest valley and the newly-opened Solstice in Aliante.
Warmington's environmental philosophy is universal – they are committed to building more environmentally-friendly homes and communities. They believe green homes enhance the well-being of their occupants and minimize negative impacts to the community and the natural environment.
As for further planet-friendly endeavors, the builder would like to continue to improve upon their conservation efforts and plan to do it to the extent they continue to receive homebuyer acceptance and demand. In fact, homebuyer demand and support is crucial to their ability to continue and expand conservation efforts.
The builder's current water conservation program includes water-saving bath fixtures, soft water loop, and drought-tolerant landscaping at all model complexes. Additionally, Warmington installs only ENERGY STAR® certified appliances in every home they build. They also include these energy-efficient items:
– Efficient gas forced-air heating with digital programmable thermostat
– Energy-saving insulation, including R-13, R-19, and R-30 ratings
– Efficient 13-SEER ground mounted air conditioner
– Energy-efficient dual glazed Low-E windows
– 50 gallon water heater
– Front and rear hose bibs
– Weather stripping around exterior doors
Since 1996 the Nevada Division of the Warmington Companies has built more that 25 neighborhoods in the Las Vegas Valley.
