Meritage homes officially opened its first energy-efficient subdivision to the public in Gilbert, reports the Phoenix Business Journal. Meritage’s houses aim to cut 80% of the energy costs generally seen in standard homes.
The Lyon’s Gate community has 210 homes. All of the homes meet or exceed the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency’s requirements for the “Energy Star Homes” rating. Starting sale prices are around $180,000.
All of the homes feature:
- solar thermal systems from PVT Solar that produce both solar energy and heat
- spray foam insulation
- high-performance windows
- low-use water fixtures
- high performance wall systems that are 3.5 times more efficient than standard wall systems
- and an electronic home management system that can be operated by a computer or a smartphone
- and other efficient lighting, heating, cooling, etc
“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.
Meritage also worked directly with Salt River Project to secure the PowerWise rating on utilities. It is now the largest subdivision in SRP’s territory that offers a solar standard.
According to Meritage’s website, Lyon’s Gate is:
The Only New Home Community in the Nation with Included Energy Efficient Technology with no cost to you!
Meritage is not the first Arizona builder to experiment with using energy-efficient construction. Joseph Carl Homes also used the PVT Solar system in their Goodyear subdivision CantaMia where homes aim to cut 60% of energy costs. Luxury home builders in North Scottsdale at Privada are also using energy-efficient PVT systems on 38 of their new lots. Other home builders have also been experimenting with energy-efficient systems. Shea Homes introduced solar options at their Trilogy senior communities two years ago.
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My wife and I would like to know more about your homes – what is the largest homes you are building – do you have specific information you can email us