Energy Star home praised by couple

When it was time for David and Maria Irene Vidal to look for a new house, they had two requirements: affordability and energy efficiency.

As a sales agent for a local builder, David Vidal had heard about the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program and was sold on its cost-saving benefits.

"My power bill last month was only $75," he said. "That's the biggest bill I've had since moving into my Energy Star home in November."

The couple's home is equipped with low-e windows, blown cellulose insulation, sealed air-conditioning ducts, programmable thermostats and energy-efficient appliances.

"I would recommend Energy Star to anyone looking to buy a new home," Vidal said. "If this house wasn't Energy Star-rated, I wouldn't have bought it."

Home builder members of Nevada Energy Star Partners are: American Premiere Homes, Amstar Homes, Astoria Homes, Beazer Homes, Centex dba Real Homes, Concordia Homes, Del Webb Corp., Desert Wind Homes, Distinctive Homes, Greystone Homes, Hearthstone Homebuilders, KB Home, Nevada Homes Group, Pardee Homes, Perma-Bilt Homes, Pulte Homes, Spinnaker Homes, Signature Homes and Westmark Homes.

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