One of the leading homebuilders, KB Home, is all set to build Energy Plus certified homes in Las Vegas. KB Home, who concentrates in Las Vegas, builds homes in new as well as existing communities. KB Home has embarked on a new initiative to build all homes to Energy Star standards.
Energy Star rated homes are 45% more energy efficient when compared with homes that were built 10 years ago. Energy Plus certified homes will be 15% more efficient than Energy Star rated homes. A newly built Energy Plus certified home will not only reduce the carbon footprint but will also reduce utility bills substantially.
Jim Widner, Regional president of KB Home, said that residents of Las Vegas want to buy homes that satisfy three main criteria: energy-efficiency, environmentally-friendly, and affordability. He stressed that Energy Plus certified homes are cost-efficient and drives down costs, which are associated with living in constructed homes utilizing power from the grid. Though energy savings depend on the features and size of homes, the efficiency of Energy Plus certified homes exceed the requirements of state building codes by 30%.
Chief Executive Officer and President of NV Energy, Michael Yackira, said that they are proud to be associated with builders such as KB Home, who are dedicated to build their homes that conserve energy over and above of what is required. He acknowledged the important role by KB Home to make their Energy Plus program a success.
By upgrading the environmentally-friendly features, the energy efficiency of Energy Plus certified homes can be increased further. Some of the features include maximizing the efficiency of cooling and heating equipment, providing extra insulation to walls, attic, and floors, and installing energy-efficient appliances. Air flow that moves in and out of the house also should be controlled. The completed home is tested by a third party Home Energy Rating System (HRES) rater and certified by them.
KB Home also offers environmentally friendly options such as Energy Efficiency, Water Wise, Sustainable Sources and Inside Environment. Homebuyers can choose any of these options to reduce their energy bills further.