Energy-saving pledge featured by Shea Homes

Energy costs in the Arizona desert can be brutal to a homeowner's wallet, so Shea Homes is unveiling energy-efficient homes in Litchfield Park that offer a heating- and cooling-cost guarantee.

If the home doesn't meet energy-cost targets, the homeowner will receive a refund for the difference, and an evaluation will determine where the loss of energy is occurring.

That is a two-year guarantee that Shea Homes will tout in addition to other energy-saving strategies in a grand opening from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the Village at Litchfield Park. There are 67 home sites available south of Camelback Road about a quarter-mile west of Litchfield Road.


The grand opening will include a live broadcast by KEZ-FM (99.9), a barbecue and trackless-train rides.

Ken Peterson, vice president of sales and marketing for Shea, said the company had been improving its energy-efficient homes through two communities in Gilbert.

"Those communities were Energy Star, but they don't have the cathedralized attic insulation," Peterson said. "Here we said, 'Let's take it one step further.' Every time we do this (build homes), we learn a little bit more, and we're providing a better solution to our customers. This is the elite right here. This is the Energy Star platinum."

Energy Star is an energy-rating program that seeks to save money and protect the environment.

The walls of the home are insulated with wet-blown cellulose insulation made from recycled newspaper, which prevents leaks that can happen with traditional fiberglass insulation.

The Village at Litchfield Park offers six floor plans with three- to six-bedroom homes ranging from 1,721 to 2,766 square feet. Prices range from $169,000 to $221,990.

For an additional $15,000, homebuyers can add a solar-panel system to the home.


by David Madrid The Arizona Republic Jan. 29, 2011 12:00 AM





Energy-saving pledge featured by Shea Homes