THE AMERICAN DREAM IS TURNING GREEN
~ New Production
Homes Now Up to 80 Percent More Energy-Efficient Than
Existing Homes ~
May 2011
(Scottsdale, AZ, May, 2011)
- There's a residential revolution taking place across
the nation. The American Dream is turning green, with
new production homes now up to 80 percent more energy-efficient
than existing homes. Think Energy Star everything from
appliances to lighting, thermal envelope features from
spray foam insulated walls to Low-E windows, and sophisticated
water management systems.
Arizona-based Meritage Homes,
one of the top 10 homebuilders in the country, is leading
this charge by integrating more than a dozen standard
energy-efficient and sustainable elements into every
nook and cranny of its homes from the ground up. It's
all part of an effort to save our planet, while saving
money for a new generation of homeowners.
This topic is especially timely
because the shift to green has huge implications for
the housing industry. In short, it could mean the difference
between a faltering industry or revival into 2012 and
beyond. There's good news for homeowners too, because
new energy-efficient homes boast custom features, but
not the price tags to match.
These are production homes
that are kind to the pocketbook, but still integrate
sustainable, energy-efficient aspects throughout. No
other home builder in the country is incorporating all
of these aspects as standard features into their new
homes.
These homes feature: Full
Energy-Star Compliance with all components certified;
Thermal Envelope with spray foam insulation and thermal
breaks in walls; Renewable Energy with remote-controlled
thermostats and solar panels; Indoor Air Quality with
components to reduce allergens, EPA/Dept. of Energy-certified;
Water Management with low-flow shower heads, dual-flush
toilets, water-wise usage/design; and Smart Controllers
like timed irrigation, remote-controlled thermostats/lighting
and more.
Now, Meritage Homes is raising
the bar even higher by announcing its "net-zero" production
home - a home that produces as much energy as it consumes,
meaning the primary utility costs come only from appliances
and technology components such as TVs and computers.
C.R. Herro, Meritage's vice
president of Environmental Affairs, is driving this
movement by establishing new energy-efficient benchmarks
for production homebuilders. The latest development:
just in time for Earth Day, Meritage will complete its
first net-zero home which produces as much energy as
it consumes.
###
|
