Green Homes in Las Vegas
The home has water-efficient landscaping and plumbing and a cistern that stores water underground that is later reused for landscaping. This helps the home to comply with green building standards in Las Vegas.
But the features that make it most green are insulated concrete walls and photovoltaic solar panels, which actually allow the house to create more energy than it uses, making it a Net Zero home.
The home's 56 solar panels generate 12 kilowatts of electricity, which is more than the home will consume on a yearly basis, according to Tyler Jones, one of the principal owners of Blue Heron. An agreement with Nevada Power allows the home to pull power from the grid and push power back, so it can receive credits it can draw on when necessary. Jones said it's the home's unique design that allows it to be so energy efficient.
"Most of the HOAs (homeowners associations) for luxury communities in Las Vegas don't allow solar panels. We're using these green elements as a part of our architectural style. Creating these little boutique communities is a way for us to encourage these green-building practices.
"The most tangible benefit is energy efficiency," Jones said. "Also, the peace of mind that you've living in a home that's not at odds with the environment is important to a lot of people. And it leads to a higher air quality in indoor spaces. Finally, for the country as a whole to be more independent from an energy perspective is important." The New American Home has always been "the builder's risk and reward," Tucker said, but suppliers display their latest products at no charge to get exposure from other builders. "What offsets the cost is receiving the donated product." Click Here to View Our Projects