Energy Star director describes program

Sam Rashkin, director of the Environmental Protection Agency's national Energy Star for Homes program spoke to pupils at Steve Cozine Elementary School during his recent visit to Las Vegas for Pardee Homes' 50-Hour House event.

Two fifth-grade classes at the school in North Las Vegas listened as Rashkin discussed energy-saving practices and common sources for energy loss.

"Ninety-five percent of all electricity in a normal light bulb creates heat while only 5 percent generates light," Rashkin explained. "If homeowners -- and major hotels along the Strip -- replace old light bulbs with new energy-saving, compact florescent bulbs, the result would be a dramatic energy-savings and reduction in heat generated."

Rashkin also talked to the pupils about energy-efficient appliances, including washing machines, dryers, computers and refrigerators, and the importance of looking for the Energy Star label on products.

In addition, he told them about the benefits of owning Energy Star homes, which are cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

According to Rashkin, not only do they save the average family thousands of dollars in energy costs during the lives of their homes, Energy Star houses help reduce pollution. Energy Star homes throughout the Las Vegas Valley keep an estimated 200,000 pounds of pollution out of the Southern Nevada air annually, Rashkin said.

"Kids are an important audience because they can easily grasp energy savings and subsequent money savings. And, they are great leaders for getting their families involved in simple energy-saving practices," he said.

In March, Pardee Homes became one of the first multi-regional builders to make a company-wide commitment to the Energy Star program, according to Klif Andrews, vice president of community development for Pardee in Southern Nevada.

"As part of our corporate commitment to the environment and to building earth-friendly homes, Pardee is proud to be the first large builder in the country to make the all of its new homes comply with the Energy Star program," he said.

The energy-efficiency program was designed by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy to reduce pollution and create energy savings that exceed national standards by at least 30 percent.

"Pardee's participation is extremely important to the Energy Star program. Large national builders like Pardee set the trend, and other builders should follow their lead," Rashkin said.

Pardee began building Energy Star homes in Southern Nevada in August 1998, earning accolades from Rashkin for reducing pollution through energy efficiency.

Pardee's Energy Star neighborhoods can be found in the developments of Eldorado and Fiesta in the northern valley; Rancho Las Palmas in the southeastern valley; Renaissance at Seven Hills; and Nevada Trails, Big Sky Ranches and Shadow Mountain Ranch in the southwestern valley.

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