Centex's energy-efficient plans key factor in couple's purchase

Centex Homes' energy-efficient designs and commitment to customer service convinced John and Tommie Forage to purchase a new home at the builder's Mountain Sky neighborhood in the northwestern valley.

"Centex offered as standard equipment two of the more powerful and efficient 12-SEER (air-conditioning) units, which did a much better job of cooling off both levels of our home," Tommie Forage said. "Our highest electric bill in the middle of July is just now over $100, which isn't too bad for a 2,198-square-foot, two-story home. Even our highest gas bill was $60 in the middle of the winter with the heat running, the gas fireplace, and cooking with the oven."

Homes in the neighborhood merit the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star label, certifying they are at least 30 percent more energy efficient than homes built to standard code.

"Part of offering buyers an excellent value is making sure their energy costs stay low," sales executive Scott Worrall said.

Energy-efficient features include specially engineered heating and cooling systems, tight ducts, low-e windows, weather stripping on exterior doors, R-13 insulation in exterior walls, insulated raised-panel fiberglass front doors, insulated water heaters, pilotless ignition furnaces, and water-saving toilets, showerheads and faucets.

Forage also praised the builder's customer service.

"We're buying a second Centex Home now -- a larger one to keep pace with our growing family," she said. "We wouldn't buy another house from another builder, which is why we're moving up to a bigger Centex home. ... When we moved here from out of state, they went above and beyond the call of duty to make sure everything was lined up for us."

Four one- and two-story designs ranging from 1,675 to 2,837 square feet and priced from the $360,000s to the $420,000s are available.

Buyers will receive a free refrigerator, washer and dryer, as well as $1,500 off closing costs when they finance their home through builder's preferred lender.

To visit, take U.S. Highway 95 to Durango Drive, go east to El Capitan Way, head north to Horse Drive and turn left. Proceed to Jackalope Street and turn right, then right again on Picket Fence Avenue.

The sales office and models are open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Dallas-based builder operates in more than 90 markets in 26 states and delivered 30,358 homes during the past fiscal year. It also offers The Enclave in the northwestern valley, Encantada in the southwestern valley, and Shadow Crossings, The Ranches, Traditions, Pearl Cove II, and Creekside II in North Las Vegas.

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