Energy efficiency key to `Ultimate Family Home'

Home buyers have become increasingly aware of their role in energy conservation, a trend that is evident in "The Ultimate Family Home" that Pardee Homes is constructing for the 2004 International Home Builders Show Jan. 19-22.

The 5,300-square-foot residence is a Zero Energy Home, meaning that it is predicted to produce more electricity than it will use, according to Joyce Mason, Pardee's vice president of marketing.

"The (project) marks the launch of our Zero Energy Home program and is on the cutting edge of energy-efficient and sustainable construction resulting in utility cost savings of more than 75 percent," Mason said. "Pardee will incorporate innovative energy-saving technologies used in the Ultimate Family Home into its new-home neighborhoods beginning in early 2004."

The four-bedroom, 4 1/2-bath Spanish contemporary home is scheduled for completion by mid-October. It is located within the builder's new Nevada Trails community in the southwestern valley.

In addition to Pardee, the home's construction and design team includes Builder Magazine, Home Magazine, Bassenian & Lagoni Architects and Color Design Art.

Rob Hammon, principal of ConSol Energy Consultants, with whom the team has been working, said the home will produce more energy than it uses by producing electricity from photovoltaic cells; using energy-saving appliances; and reducing energy loss with airtight duct work, low-e windows and deep eaves.

"We've taken the core concepts that go into certifying a home as Energy Star-approved and enhanced them," Hammon said. "For example, the duct system was specifically designed for efficiency and is surrounded by a higher level of insulation and, where possible, is buried in the ceiling insulation. In addition, the radiant barrier that is a part of the roof deck helps reduce the attic temperature, thereby increasing the efficiency of the ducts in the attic space."

Lighting is a mixture of high-efficacy fluorescent and halogen lights, which are energy efficient and help reduce cooling requirements by significantly reducing the amount of heat generated from lighting, according to Hammon.

Another energy-saving feature, he said, is tankless water heaters that deliver hot water on demand and only on demand.

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