Zero energy homes

From WikiCover

Announced August 7, 2007, Meritage Homes has opened a new home community in Vacaville, California that features solar electric power systems from SunPower Corporation as a standard feature. The homes are also built to exceed State and Federal energy efficiency standards by thirty-five percent or more. Meritage expects that the solar power systems, combined with the energy efficient features, will save homeowners up to seventy percent on their electric utility bills.

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Each of the forty-five homes in the new Encore Community will be equipped with a 2.3-kilowatt SunPower SunTile system, which blends seamlessly into the roof and features the most efficient solar technology available on the market.

To maximize energy efficiency in their homes, Meritage has included energy-saving windows and insulation, high-efficiency appliances, attic radiant barriers, low-leakage duct work, and tankless water heaters, among other features. Meritage's Encore homes meet or exceed the energy efficiency requirements of several state and federal initiatives.