Southwest Energy Efficiency Project

Energy Star^® and Building America Homes

Las Vegas and surrounding Clark County continue to be one of the fastest growing communities in the country. It also is a leading location for the construction of Energy Star® homes, meaning home that use 30% less energy for heating and cooling compared to homes that meet the 1993 Model Energy Code. Between 1997 and 2001, over 4,000 Energy Star^® homes were built in Nevada, more than half of which were built in 2001. To date, more than 21 Energy Star^® builders operate in the State, most in Clark County and Las Vegas.

Pulte Homes built approximately half of the Energy Star® homes in the state last year. For several years, Pulte has worked with the Department of Energy’s Building America program to improve the energy performance and comfort of its homes through advanced design and construction practices. Among these measures, Pulte uses 2 x 6 framing with blown-in cellulose for better insulation and a tighter building envelope, spectrally selective glass the minimizes heat gain, unvented attic spaces, and a heating and cooling system sized to maximize efficiency and performance. This is done in a manner that minimizes additional material use and cost (get additional information on how Pulte builds energy efficient homes).

Other Energy Star^® production builders include John Laing Homes, Las Vegas (now Richmond American Homes), Pardee Homes and Astoria Homes. In 2002 both Pardee and Astoria committed to building 100% of their homes to Energy Star® levels of performance, representing more than 1,600 homes combined.

© 2002-2008 Southwest Energy Efficiency Project
2260 Baseline Rd. Suite 212, Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 447-0078 fax: (303) 786-8054 info@swenergy.org

Last Updated: 01/28/2008

Energy Star® and Building America Homes

Energy Star^® and Building America Homes