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ENERGY EFFICIENCY
 When evaluating your home heating and cooling options, efficiency and cost savings are at the top of the list. It's simple, the higher the efficiency of your HVAC system, the lower your long-term energy costs will be.
Knowledge Is Power
Understanding the meaning of standard efficiency ratings will go a long way toward helping you select the right HVAC system for your needs—and budget.
SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio)
- SEER rates the efficiency of the cooling process for air conditioners and heat pumps.
- Units produced before 1990 typically have a SEER rating of 6.
- Carrier's full line of split system air conditioners and heat pumps offer SEER ratings of 13-21, meeting or exceeding the U.S. regulatory requirement of 13.
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To calculate how much you could save by upgrading to a higher SEER rated system, click here.
AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency)
- AFUE measures the percentage of heat generated by the fuel used to heat your home. A furnace with an AFUE rating of 90, for example, is converting 90% of the heat generated by its fuel to heat your home, while the remaining 10% escapes as exhaust.
- Carrier furnaces offer AFUE ratings ranging from 78% (the minimum industry requirement) to more than 96%.
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To calculate your potential cost savings by installing a more efficient furnace, click here.
HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor)
- HSPF measures the efficiency of the heating mode for your heat pump.
- Carrier heat pumps offer HSPF ratings ranging from 6.8 (the minimum industry requirement) to 9.5.
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To calculate how much you could save by increasing your heat pump's HSPF, click here.
Visit the KB Home Studio today to learn more about our energy efficient Carrier HVAC systems, and other eco-friendly options available for your new Built To Order™ home.
To improve air quality and the public's general health, the Clean Air Act has set standards for the reduction of air pollution. One key target is refrigerants containing CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) and HCFCs (hydro chlorofluorocarbons), including R-22, which is used in most residential heat pump and air conditioning systems. These substances contain ozone-harming chlorine.
Now, thanks to Carrier and Puron® Refrigerant, you can experience a cleaner form of cool in your new KB Home.
Pure Cool with Puron
Carrier has installed over 2 million Puron-based units in the U.S.—and for good reason.
- Puron Refrigerant is chlorine-free, so it won't harm the ozone layer.
- Carrier has experienced very low failure rates with their Puron-based units as compared to units using R-22, proving Puron's superiority in energy efficiency and performance.
- Puron Refrigerant has become the accepted industry choice for non-ozone depleting refrigerants meeting requirements of the Montreal Protocol.
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A Win-Win...Win Situation
Puron Refrigerant is chlorine-free, and performs better than its R-22 counterpart. Other reasons to choose Carrier and Puron Refrigerant include:
- Energy efficiency—Puron Refrigerant's heat-transfer properties enable higher-efficiency performance. Carrier's Puron-based air conditioners meet or exceed the requirements of U.S. regulatory agencies, offering 13-SEER ratings and higher.
- Future cost-of-service savings—Due to government restrictions, R-22 and similar refrigerants will start to become harder to find and more expensive. Upgrading now to a Puron-based system can help you avoid costly service in the future.
- Quiet operation—Many of Carrier's Puron-based systems also offer their Silencer System technology for quieter operation.
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For more information on Puron Refrigerant, click here. Then, visit the KB Home Studio to see what else KB Home is doing to increase the efficiency of your new Built To Order™ home.
 Increasing the energy efficiency of your home is not just about installing eco-friendly fixtures and finishes. Achieving greater energy efficiency starts during construction.
According to the EPA's ENERGY STAR® program, "sealing the building envelope is one of the most cost-effective ways to lower a home's utility bills and improve comfort." The new ENERGY STAR Home Sealing™ program recommends three steps to help seal your home:
- Add insulation
- Seal air leaks
- Use ENERGY STAR® qualified windows
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To that end, KB Home is pleased to offer DuPont™ Tyvek® HomeWrap®. This continuous air barrier helps your home resist air and water infiltration, increasing the durability and energy efficiency of the home, and lowering your utility bills.
Increased Durability and Health
Installing DuPont™ Tyvek® weather barriers helps protect your home by preventing bulk water from getting into the wall assembly, avoiding metal corrosion and wood rot. At the same time, water vapor molecules are able to escape, helping prevent the formation of mold and leaving you with a healthier home.
Better Energy Performance
Studies have shown that air leakage can account for up to 40% of the energy used for heating and cooling a typical residence. Properly sealing a home during construction with DuPont™ Tyvek® weather barriers, will help reduce air leakage-and your energy bills.
DuPont™ Tyvek® weather barriers also help preserve the effectiveness of your home's wall insulation by helping to control air penetration, increasing your home's energy efficiency and long-term sustainability.
Click here for more information on DuPont™ Tyvek® HomeWrap®. Then, visit the KB Home Studio to start planning your new, energy efficient Built To Order™ home.
 As heat escapes from your home in the winter and enters in the summer, your heating and cooling systems have to work harder to keep you comfortable. Each time these systems come on, you use more energy and increase your energy costs.
This unwanted heat transfer often occurs through your home's windows. But, with the right window coverings from Hunter Douglas and KB Home, you can control this energy flow-and your budget.
A Better Solution for Better Control
As sunlight enters through your windows, it becomes trapped inside your home and builds heat. Window coverings provide a simple, flexible way to manage energy flow. Although most window coverings, if properly installed, will increase the energy efficiency of your home, thermal insulators such as Applause® honeycomb shades from Hunter Douglas offer superior heat transfer control. Here's how they work:
- Solar energy enters through the window
- Warmed air becomes trapped inside the shades' unique honeycomb design
- A thermal barrier is created
- Unwanted heat is prevented from moving through the window
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These shades also filter 95-99% of UV light, protecting your belongings from fading and other sun damage.
Harnessing the Power of the Sun
In addition to controlling heat, Applause® honeycomb shades can also help you increase, lower or even redirect the natural light in a room, thereby reducing the need for artificial light and saving energy.
Surprisingly, 5% of all energy consumed in the U.S. is related to energy flow through residential windows. Properly installing the right window coverings can reduce window-related energy consumption by up to 50%.
To learn more about Applause® honeycomb shades, visit the Hunter Douglas website. Then stop by the KB Home Studio to choose the perfect shades for your new Built To Order™ home.
 The key to increased energy efficiency in your home—and lower energy costs—is simple, reduce heat loss during colder months and reduce heat absorption during warmer months.
With the help of LP® TechShield® Radiant Barrier and KB Home, the solution is to start at the top.
Radiant Barrier = Increased Energy Efficiency
Radiant barrier, a thin sheet of aluminum laminated to structural roof sheathing, reduces the amount of energy needed to heat and cool your home.
In the summer, radiant heat from the sun penetrates the roof and walls of your home. A radiant barrier blocks that heat from entering the home. In the winter, a radiant barrier keeps indoor heat from escaping through the roof and walls and reflects it back into the home. As a result, your home stays cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
By increasing the efficiency of your home with LP® TechShield® Radiant Barrier, you'll enjoy comfortable temperatures, as well as significant savings on heating and cooling costs.
Radiant Barrier = The Smart Choice for Big Savings
- Save up to 17% on your monthly energy bills
- Reduce energy consumption
- Increase the resale value of your home
- Increase the efficiency of your HVAC system, duct work and insulation
- Retain heat during chilly winter months
- Prevent up to 97% of the sun's heat from entering your attic in the summer and reduce attic temperatures by up to 30 degrees
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Click here to discover how much you could save with a radiant barrier as compared to traditional sheathing. Then, visit your KB Home Studio to start planning your new Built To Order™ home, complete with LP® TechShield® Radiant Barrier.
 Did you know the average home emits more than twice the greenhouse gases of the average car? It's true, and it's just one more reason KB Home is proud to offer Energy Star® qualified lighting fixtures from Sea Gull Lighting.
Every time you turn on a light switch, fossil fuels are burned to produce electricity, causing pollution to be released into the atmosphere. Energy Star® qualified lighting uses up to 75% less energy than standard lighting. Less energy means less pollution. It's that simple, and it means more than you may realize. In fact, by using an Energy Star® qualified fixture in just one room in every U.S. household, together we could reduce air pollution by approximately 1 trillion pounds.
Need more reasons to choose Sea Gull Lighting fixtures for your new home?
- Energy and cost savings: Sea Gull fixtures use 75% less energy than incandescent fixtures, resulting in a reduced impact on the environment—and your electric bill
- Convenience: Energy Star® qualified bulbs offer 10 times the bulb life (10,000 hours) of incandescent bulbs; and outdoor fixtures use a photocell to turn lights on and off automatically
- Quality: Sea Gull fixtures are third-party tested to meet the EPA's strict quality and performance standards; they match the warmth of standard incandescent lighting (2700K); and they are "instant-on", lighting within one second
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Taking the Next Step
You can increase the efficiency of your home even more by installing Sea Gull Energy Star® qualified ceiling fans in addition to your other Sea Gull fixtures. Benefits include:
- Lifetime warranty
- 14% to 20% higher motor efficiency vs. standard fans
- $25 savings per fan, per year on your utility bill
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Visit the KB Home Studio today to learn more about Sea Gull Lighting fixtures, and other eco-friendly options available for your new Built To Order™ home.
 Usually made of wood or steel, your front door can come in a variety of shapes and styles. When it comes to environmental impact and efficiency, all doors are not created equal.
Therma-Tru and KB Home are proud to bring you a variety of fiberglass door options that are beautiful, energy efficient, sustainably produced and remarkably durable. By using fiberglass, Therma-Tru is able to increase both the energy efficiency and durability of your door to save you money without compromising style.
The Right Materials for Success
98% of all Therma-Tru products are ENERGY STAR® qualified, and feature energy saving materials such as:
- Polyurethane foam core, free of CFCs, and offering five times the insulation value of a wood door
- Tempered glass, double-pained on decorative designs, sidelites and transoms to increase efficiency and reduce heat transfer
- Tight wind and water seals designed as a complete system to ensure the tightest possible seal and maximum energy savings
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Durability Meets Sustainability
When it comes to green building, durability is key. Products requiring minimal maintenance and replacement have a reduced impact on the environment. Therma-Tru fiberglass doors won't warp, crack, rot, swell or split like wood doors. They also won't rust, ding, or dent like steel, meaning you get a durable, energy efficient entry system.
Therma-Tru also uses some recycled content in its door construction and recycles many materials during its manufacturing processes to help reduce landfill waste, as well as the impact on the environment.
Visit the KB Home Studio today to choose from our beautiful selection of Therma-Tru fiberglass doors, perfect for your new Built To Order™ home.
 Each time you wash a load of dirty laundry or dishes, you're also washing your hard-earned money down the drain through excess water and energy consumption.
With the help of Whirlpool and KB Home you can save money—and the environment—by choosing an ENERGY STAR® qualified dishwasher and washing machine for your new home. These energy-efficient products will help you reduce energy consumption by at least 25% over federal minimum efficiency standards, not to mention your water and energy bills.
Increased Efficiency Through Better Technology
Many ENERGY STAR® qualified dishwashers, such as the Whirlpool® Built-In Super Capacity Dishwasher, have features that will help you save energy and water including:
- Short cycle selections for lightly soiled dishes
- Extra insulation to maintain water temperature throughout the cycle and minimize noise
- A soil sensor to adjust cycle length based on the amount of food particles in the water
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Front-load washing machines such as the ENERGY STAR® qualified Whirlpool® Duet HT® Washer also help you save by using about half the water and energy of a traditional top-load washer.
In fact, larger front-loading washers use only 16-20 gallons of water per load, compared to the 40-45 gallons per load used by conventional top-load washers. When you factor in the capacity advantage of front-load machines, you will save roughly 65-70 gallons of water to clean the same amount of laundry by using a front-loader, quickly making up for their higher price tag.
Use this calculator to find out how much you can save by switching to Whirlpool® Brand ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances. Then, visit your KB Home Studio to select a dishwasher and washing machine for your new Built To Order™ home.
WATER WISE
 According to estimates, the average family uses approximately 400 gallons of water per day, with up to 26% of daily usage attributable to toilet flushing. Going down the drain with all that excess water, is your hard-earned money in the form of inflated water bills.
As part of a national conservation effort, KB Home and Kohler can help your family reduce water usage—and trim your water bill—by offering you high efficiency toilets (HETs) for your home.
Water Usage Drops, Savings Rise
A standard toilet uses approximately 1.6 gallons of water with each flush. To qualify as an HET, a toilet is required to use at least 20% less water than a standard toilet, or 1.28 gallons per flush.
Based on an average of 10,000 flushes per year, a toilet that flushes with 1.28 gallons or less can save you up to 3,200 gallons of water per year when compared to a standard 1.6-gallon toilet.
Kohler Answers the Call
Both the Cimarron and Wellworth toilet lines from Kohler use as little as 1.1 gallons of water when flushed—potentially saving, on average, thousands of gallons of water per home every year.
In addition to impressive water savings, Kohler's high efficiency toilets are also certified to carry the Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense® label. Modeled after the ENERGY STAR® program, WaterSense® is designed to highlight products that promote increased water-efficiency. To earn the WaterSense® label a product must not only save water, but also pass strict performance tests.
Click here to learn more about Kohler's WaterSense® labeled toilets. Then, visit the KB Home Studio to learn which HETs are available for your new water-friendly, Built To Order™ home.
Each time you wash a load of dirty laundry or dishes, you're also washing your hard-earned money down the drain through water and energy consumption.
With the help of Whirlpool and KB Home you can save money—and the environment—by choosing an ENERGY STAR® qualified dishwasher and washing machine for your new home. These top-of-the-line products will help you reduce energy consumption by at least 25% over federal minimum efficiency standards, not to mention your water and energy bills.
Increased Efficiency Through Better Technology
Many ENERGY STAR® qualified dishwashers, such as the Whirlpool® Built-In Super Capacity Dishwasher, have features that will help you save energy and water including:
- Short cycle selections for lightly soiled dishes
- Extra insulation to maintain water temperature throughout the cycle and minimize noise
- A soil sensor to adjust cycle length based on the amount of food particles in the water
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Front-load washing machines such as the ENERGY STAR® qualified Whirlpool® Duet HT® Washer also help you save by using about half the water and energy of a traditional top-load washer.
In fact, larger front-loading washers use only 16-20 gallons of water per load, compared to the 40-45 gallons per load used by conventional top-load washers. When you factor in the capacity advantage of front-load machines, you will save roughly 65-70 gallons of water to clean the same amount of laundry by using a front-loader, quickly making up for their higher price tag.
Use this calculator to find out how much you can save by switching to Whirlpool® Brand ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances. Then, visit your KB Home Studio to select a dishwasher and washing machine for your new Built To Order™ home.
INSIDE ENVIRONMENT
When considering countertops for your new home, you want products that are safe for your family, gentle on the environment, and of course, easy on the eyes.
With the help of KB Home and our selection of attractive DuPont™ Corian® and Zodiaq® quartz surfaces, you don't have to sacrifice aesthetics to maintain a safe and environmentally conscious home.
Ample Choices and Benefits
Suitable for both horizontal and vertical applications, DuPont™ Corian® and DuPont™ Zodiaq® quartz surfaces combine beauty and performance with a range of benefits.
- Safety—These stunning surface options are GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified® and GREENGUARD Children and SchoolsSM certified by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI), a third-party organization working to improve public health and quality of life through programs that improve indoor air.
DuPont™ Corian® and Zodiaq® surfaces also meet or exceed GEI's emissions guidelines for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs).
- Durability—Both Corian® and Zodiaq® quartz are durable, non-porous surfaces that will resist even the toughest stains and retain their beauty for many years, offering exceptional cost-effectiveness and reduced waste.
- People-Friendly—DuPont™ Corian® and Zodiaq® surfaces are third-party certified to be free of heavy metals and comply with the EU Directive 2002/95EC on the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), making them non-toxic and non-allergenic.
- Eco-Friendly—The Corian® Terra Collection provides a palette of colors containing at least 6-13% pre-consumer recycled content, while the Zodiaq® Terra Collection contains at least 50% pre-consumer recycled glass.
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Click here to find out more about DuPont™ solid surface options. Then, visit your KB Home Studio to select the surface that's right for your new Built To Order™ home.
Increasing the energy efficiency of your home is not just about installing eco-friendly fixtures and finishes. True energy efficiency starts during construction.
According to the EPA's ENERGY STAR® program, "sealing the building envelope is one of the most cost-effective ways to lower a home's utility bills and improve comfort." The new ENERGY STAR Home Sealing™ program recommends three steps to help seal your home:
- Add insulation
- Seal air leaks
- Use ENERGY STAR® qualified windows
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To that end, KB Home is pleased to offer DuPont™ Tyvek® HomeWrap®. This continuous air barrier helps your home resist air and water infiltration, increasing the durability and energy efficiency of the home, and lowering your utility bills.
Increased Durability and Health
Installing DuPont™ Tyvek® weather barriers helps protect your home by preventing bulk water from getting into the wall assembly, avoiding metal corrosion and wood rot. At the same time, water vapor molecules are able to escape, helping prevent the formation of mold and leaving you with a healthier home.
Better Energy Performance
Studies have shown that air leakage can account for up to 40% of the energy used for heating and cooling a typical residence. Properly sealing a home during construction with DuPont™ Tyvek® weather barriers, will help reduce air leakage-and your energy bills.
DuPont™ Tyvek® weather barriers also help preserve the effectiveness of your home's wall insulation by helping to control air penetration, increasing your home's energy efficiency and long-term sustainability.
Click here for more information on DuPont™ Tyvek® HomeWrap®. Then, visit the KB Home Studio to start planning your new, energy efficient Built To Order™ home.
 Nothing can damper the excitement and sheer thrill of walking into your brand new home like the harsh and penetrating odor of fresh paint.
In our effort to deliver the healthiest possible homes, KB Home is proud to offer you Sherwin-Williams' Builders Solution® Interior Latex paint. This low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint uses a unique two-coat system to provide ultimate touch-up, smooth, even surfaces and reduced odor. Features of this innovative solution include:
- Surfacer and topcoat with Accutouch™ Technology for superior touch-up
- Superior coverage of drywall imperfections and optimal touch-ups on both light and dark colors
- Better burnish resistance
- Superior scrub- and wash-ability
- Superior results to ensure your satisfaction
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Be Sure With GreenSure™
Taking the healthy home up a notch, Sherwin-Williams believes that the optimal green coating should accomplish two things: minimize the impact on air quality and deliver maximum performance.
With those goals in mind, they developed the GreenSure™ Designation. Easily identified by the GreenSure™ symbol, products in this line meet the company's highest green coating standards, offering maximum performance and long-term durability, as well as the highest indoor air quality ratings for low-VOC and low odor.
The Builders Solution topcoat, part of the two-coat Builders Solution system offered by Sherwin-Williams and KB Home, meets environmental requirements and performance expectations without compromise.
Click here to download Builders Solution Interior Latex product literature. Or, visit the KB Home Studio today to start planning the colors and eco-friendly finishes for your new Built To Order™ home.
SUSTAINABLE SOURCES
When considering countertops for your new home, you want products that are safe for your family, gentle on the environment, and of course, easy on the eyes.
With the help of KB Home and our selection of attractive DuPont™ Corian® and Zodiaq® quartz surfaces, you don't have to sacrifice aesthetics to maintain a safe, healthy and environmentally conscious home.
Ample Choices and Benefits
Suitable for both horizontal and vertical applications, DuPont™ Corian® and DuPont™ Zodiaq® quartz surfaces combine beauty and performance with a range of benefits.
- Safety—These stunning surface options are GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified® and GREENGUARD Children and SchoolsSM certified by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI), a third-party organization working to improve public health and quality of life through programs that improve indoor air.
DuPont™ Corian® and Zodiaq® surfaces also meet or exceed GEI's emissions guidelines for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs).
- Durability—Both Corian® and Zodiaq® quartz are durable, non-porous surfaces that will resist even the toughest stains and retain their beauty for many years, offering exceptional cost-effectiveness and reduced waste.
- People-Friendly—DuPont™ Corian® and Zodiaq® surfaces are third-party certified to be free of heavy metals and comply with the EU Directive 2002/95EC on the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), making them non-toxic and non-allergenic.
- Eco-Friendly—The Corian® Terra Collection provides a palette of colors containing at least 6-13% pre-consumer recycled content, while the Zodiaq® Terra Collection contains at least 50% pre-consumer recycled glass.
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Click here to find out more about DuPont™ solid surface options. Then, visit your KB Home Studio to select the surface that's right for your new Built To Order™ home.
 There's a growing push, nationwide, toward using sustainable, eco-friendly materials in homebuilding and remodeling.
KB Home and innovative carpet manufacturer, Shaw, agree that these materials should extend down to the carpet under your feet. And, with their Anso® Nylon carpet line, Shaw has proven that environmental responsibility does not have to come at the expense of fashionable, high-quality design.
While Anso® Nylon carpets are stunning, durable and stain resistant, they can also can be recycled over and over without affecting the carpet quality, performance or style.
Features include:
- Exceptional performance, as well as built-in stain and crush resistance
- Recyclable carpet material and/or material made from recycled content-sometimes both
- Proven savings on raw materials, fossil fuels and unnecessary landfill waste
- Recyclability without degradation of molecular stability
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Additionally, all carpeting offered by Shaw and KB Home meets the Carpet and Rug Institute's (CRI) Green Label Plus stringent testing and certification standards used to identify carpets that emit low volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Committed to Caring and Quality
Shaw is committed to collecting and recycling carpet on a large scale, keeping up to 300 million pounds of carpet from landfills each year with their unique recycling program. Anso® Nylon carpets are an important part of that commitment.
Through Shaw's national recycling program, post-consumer carpet is collected and sorted according to fiber type. The Type-6 nylon (N6) carpets are shredded into small pieces, recycled and used in new carpeting.
For more on Shaw's recycling program and sustainable flooring, click here. Then, visit your KB Home Studio to select the Shaw carpet that's right for your new Built To Order™ home.
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