Homebuilders offering self-sufficient, sustainable homes

Homebuilders are trying to capitalize on public angst toward electric utilities by offering "net-zero, no-electric-bill homes" that promise to wipe out monthly bills, but the details are a little more complicated. The homes are built with energy-conserving appliances and insulation, and they use solar panels to generate electricity. The homes still are connected to the utility grid to get power after dark, but the solar arrays are designed to produce enough electricity throughout the year to balance out what customers will buy from their utility, making their "net" energy costs zero for the year. The latest company to offer net-zero houses is Shea Homes, which is offering the energy features as standard at its active-adult communities of Vistancia in Peoria and Encanterra in the San Tan Valley area through its SheaXero program. The program also is available in all Shea Active Lifestyle and Trilogy communities in California, Florida, Nevada and Washington. Shea markets the project as "the no-electric-bill home."

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