RV enthusiasts settle down in Energy Star home

Ted and Kim Barker retired in 1999, bought an RV and traveled the country for two years. The residents of Southern California then decided to move to Las Vegas, where they purchased an Energy Star home, which requires 30 percent less energy than a standard home.

"When we started looking, I didn't even think about buying an Energy Star home. But after talking with our sales representative, I realized that was definitely the way to go," said Ted Barker, who for 30 years worked at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard.

The Barkers home is equipped with low-e windows, extra insulation, a 12-SEER air-conditioning unit, programmable thermostats, blown cellulose insulation in the walls, and insulated ducts, which has helped reduce their power bills.

In addition, the couple opted for an Energy Star-rated refrigerator, washer and dryer.

"We couldn't be happier," Kim Barker said. "This is our dream home."

Nevada Energy Star Partners, a coalition of local developers, energy-certification companies, mortgage lenders and others, is in the middle of a three-month campaign to promote the Environmental Protection Agency's program.

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