Meritage opens energy-efficient subdivision in Gilbert

Meritage Homes opened its first energy-efficient subdivision in Gilbert, with houses aiming to cut energy costs by 80 percent. The 210-home Lyon’s Gate subdivision has opened to the public. The homes, for sale starting at just under $180,000, meet or exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Homes ratings, officials said. The homes will feature solar thermal systems from PVT Solar that produce heat and solar energy, spray-foam insulation and an electronic home management system to control the home from a smart phone or a computer. “The opening of our Lyon’s Gate community is a pivotal event that we believe marks a new era in home building, and is a prototype for future communities. It exemplifies our commitment to energy efficiency, water conservation, sustainability and green building practices,” said Steven J. Hilton, chairman and chief executive officer of Meritage Homes. Scottsdale-based Meritage (NYSE: MTH) worked with several companies including Salt River Project on the homes, securing the utility’s PowerWise rating. It will be the largest subdivision in SRP’s territory that offers solar standard. Home builders have been experimenting more with solar and energy efficiency in new models, and Meritage is not the first to use PVT’s system. Joseph Carl Homes rolled out the solar system at its energy-efficient subdivision CantaMia in Goodyear, where the aim is to make the homes 60 percent more energy efficient than standard homes. Luxury home builders at Privada in north Scottsdale also are using the system on 38 lots. Other home builders have begun experimenting with offering solar and energy-efficient designs on their homes, including Shea Homes, which rolled out solar on its Trilogy models for senior communities about two years ago.

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