While consumers are not yet demanding sustainable, high-performance homes, Pardee Homes has found that homebuyers appreciate the choice of features that are good for the environment and good for their energy bills, according to Joyce Mason, vice president of marketing for Pardee Homes.

In addressing a recent gathering of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Mason outlined Pardee's commitment to energy efficiency and environmental issues and the positive reaction from homebuyers.

The bottom line, she said, is that proactive builders who embrace sustainable building and environmental sensitivity can gain a valuable edge in the marketplace.

"Pardee's ENERGYSTAR®  homes in Nevada and Southern California outsold the market as a whole at a rate of 2.46 homes per month," Mason said.

After building the company's first ENERGYSTAR®  home in Southern Nevada in 1998, Pardee became the first national builder to commit to building only ENERGYSTAR®  homes more than a year ago. The homes are certified to be at least 30 percent more energy efficient than federal standards require. As a result, Pardee has been named ENERGYSTAR®  Partner of the Year by the Environmental Protection Agency.

"Each year, Pardee's 2,200 new ENERGYSTAR®  homes prevent the emission of more than 10 million pounds of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere," said Mason, a recognized industry expert on sustainable development. In addition to ULI, Mason has addressed major industry gatherings such as the National Association of Home Builders (now the International Builders Show) and the Pacific Coast Builders Conference.

Mason said most homebuyers today consider themselves to be environmentally sensitive and will often make choices based on environmentally friendly considerations, if available.

Pardee offers 32 energy-related or sustainable options in the company's LIVINGSMART® program that was recently introduced in northwest Las Vegas with the opening of Pardee's new Vista Verde community. The Vista Verde model park is also a showcase for water-efficient landscaping, complete with a Desert Demonstration Garden created with guidance from the Las Vegas Valley Water District.

Environmentally sensitive features and options in the LIVINGSMART®  program fall under the categories of EARTHSMART® -- protecting the Earth's resources; ENERGYSMART®  --reducing energy consumption; and HEALTHSMART® -- supporting indoor air quality.

"Green building creates higher performing homes that consumers are increasingly willing to pay for," Mason said. To date, more than 200 sustainable options have been sold, representing more than $500,000.

EARTHSMART®  features include recycled carpet and engineered wood. Mason said the recycled carpeting in each 2,000-square-foot home prevents approximately 10,000 two-liter bottles from going to the landfill. And engineered wood trusses use up to 30 percent less lumber than conventional framing.

HEALTHSMART®  features include low fiber flooring, such as bamboo; low VOC, non-toxic paint; central vacuum and high-efficiency air filters with special thermostat.

ENERGYSMART®  features include solar packages that can provide up to 340 kW per month; fluorescent lighting that will cut carbon dioxide emissions and save on utility bills; and tankless water heaters that deliver hot water on demand and will last a lifetime.

Pardee's commitment to energy and environmental issues has received attention on local, regional and national levels, according to Mason. In addition to being named one of EPA's ENERGYSTAR®  Partners of the Year, Pardee received the U.S. Dept. of Energy's 2003 Energy Value Housing Award. This year Pardee was also named "America's Best Builder" during the International Builders Show in Las Vegas.

Since 1952, Pardee has been a pioneer in southern Nevada, building homes and communities for more than 25,000 families.