Del Webb keen on Energy Star

Del Webb helps home buyers who move from communities where little emphasis is placed on water and energy conservation adjust to desert living, according to Christy Stratton, marketing director.

"Living in the desert is often a new experience for some of our residents," she said. "But many features of a Del Webb community, coupled with our participation in the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program, make the transition to life in the desert easy and effortless."

Del Webb has three communities under development for people age 55 and older: Sun City Anthem and Solera at Anthem in Henderson, and Sun City Aliante in North Las Vegas. All homes are Energy Star certified and use 30 percent less energy for heating, cooling and water heating than a comparable home built to the national Model Energy Code.

Energy-saving features include tight construction, tightly sealed ducts, high-performance windows, improved insulation, appropriately sized heating and cooling equipment, and Energy Star appliances.

Program benefits include decreased internal and external contaminants, decreased health problems due to increased indoor air quality, decreased heating and cooling equipment use, lower energy bills, and increased overall comfort within the home.

Sam Rashkin, national director of the Energy Star Program for New Homes, said Energy Star homes are a wise investment.

"These homes are a smart investment in our future," he said. "They provide a high-quality living space for the families who enjoy them today while protecting our environment for future generations."

Stratton said Del Webb is proud to participate in the program.

"We believe in protecting the environment while offering our home buyers significant comfort and cost savings benefits," she said. "In fact, we've gone above and beyond Energy Star by building to the Environments for Living program that takes the Energy Star program to the next level.

"Plus, every Del Webb community is beautifully landscaped with low water-use plants that thrive on smart, efficient irrigation systems designed to minimize water use," she said. "Our residents, even those accustomed to lush, green landscapes, take considerable pride in the beauty of our desert landscapes. Their ideals of a beautiful landscape are quickly and easily adjusted."

The Energy Star program also includes products such as electronics, lighting, office equipment and mortgages.

Del Webb is a member of Nevada Energy Star Partners, a voluntary coalition of more than 35 home builders, developers, retailers, finance companies, energy consultants and utility companies that promote the benefits of energy conservation.

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