LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--KB Home (NYSE: KBH), one of the nation’s premier homebuilders, opened its first net-zero energy home in Nevada during a special event held today at its Talavera at Mountain’s Edge community in Las Vegas. At the event, KB Home employees and Clark County Commissioner, Susan Brager, hosted a group of area school children for a morning of education, games and a guided tour of the innovative new home, dubbed ZeroHouse 2.0.
KB Home already builds 100% of its new homes to U.S. EPA’s ENERGY STAR® standards, but now homebuyers in Las Vegas, and other select KB Home markets, are able to choose a ZeroHouse 2.0 that may eliminate their monthly electricity charges entirely, and is estimated to save a Las Vegas-area homeowner $2,400 annually on energy utility costs when compared to a typical existing home.
“When the temperature hits triple digits here in Las Vegas, as it often can, many homeowners see their monthly bills reach well into the triple digits too,” said Rob McGibney, executive vice president of KB Home’s Las Vegas division. “That’s why KB Home has focused on building energy-efficient homes and why our homebuyers can now select a ZeroHouse 2.0 that is estimated to lower their energy utility costs to nearly zero. This home represents the latest evolution of our Built to Order experience that puts the homebuyer in greater control of their monthly electricity costs, while letting them personalize a new home that suits their lifestyle, budget and taste.”
The higher efficiency of the ZeroHouse 2.0 is the result of a whole-home approach, from the inside out, that begins with increased insulation, upgraded HVAC systems and dual-pane, low-e windows and ends with solar panels on the roof. The new model ZeroHouse 2.0 home at Talavera also showcases innovative new technology including an energy monitoring system and automated home controls.
“After touring KB Home’s new ZeroHouse model, I was impressed by not only all the incredible new technology in place, but by how comfortable the home feels and how great it looks,” said Commissioner Brager. “The Clark County board and I are honored that KB Home chose our master planned community of Mountain’s Edge to showcase this net-zero energy option along with its already incredibly efficient and affordable new homes.”
During the morning’s special event, students from nearby William V. Wright Elementary participated in a head-to-head quiz-show format game. Everyone received a small prize for participating, but the grand prize was presented to Carol Erbach, the school’s principal. At the conclusion of the event, KB Home presented her with a check for $2,400, or approximately the same amount of the estimated annual savings that the owner of a ZeroHouse 2.0 would enjoy over a typical existing home.
KB Home’s ENERGY STAR qualified home designs, as well as ZeroHouse 2.0 efficiency options, are available at select communities throughout the Las Vegas area. To learn more, and locate a community near you, visit kbhome.com or call 888-KB-HOMES.
About KB Home
KB Home is one of the largest and most recognized homebuilding companies in the United States. Since its founding in 1957, the company has built more than half a million quality homes. KB Home's signature Built to Order™ approach lets each buyer customize their new home from lot location to floor plan and design features. In addition to meeting strict ENERGY STAR® guidelines, all KB homes are highly energy efficient to help lower monthly utility costs for homeowners, which the company demonstrates with its proprietary KB Home Energy Performance Guide™ (EPG). A leader in utilizing state-of-the-art sustainable building practices, KB Home was named the #1 Green Homebuilder in a 2010 study by Calvert Investments and the #1 Homebuilder on FORTUNE magazine's 2011 World's Most Admired Companies list. Los Angeles-based KB Home was the first homebuilder listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and trades under the ticker symbol "KBH." For more information about KB Home's new home communities, call 888-KB-HOMES or visit www.kbhome.com.