Desert Cool

KB Home has unveiled a model house it boasts produces as much energy as it consumes – what is called NetZero – while lowering water usage by 60 percent. The opening comes amid Lancaster’s push to have developers build homes with low energy and water usage as part of the city’s own goal to become NetZero. Last year, Lancaster became the first municipality in the nation to require all new homes be equipped with solar panels, but the ZeroHouse 2.0 in the Dawn Creek neighborhood goes far beyond that. One downside: the features add about $50,000 to the home’s price. But it’s estimated there are about $4,400 annual savings in utility costs. ZeroHouse 2.0 1036 E. Cambridge Court, Lancaster Developer: KB Home, Los Angeles Asking Price: High $200,000s Completed: February 2014 Features: Roof-top solar panels; enhanced insulation and sealants to reduce energy loss; pipes wrapped in copper water coils to recover heat from drainage water; real-time water- and energy-monitoring systems. Water recycling system treats “gray water” from showers, tubs, sinks and washing machines for landscaping; dishwasher reduces water usage by a third compared to typical high-efficiency units by saving water from the last rinse cycle for first pre-rinse cycle of next load. Quote: “It’s about becoming experts and learning how to do this in the most efficient way,” said Tom DiPrima, executive vice president KB Home Southern California. “People like to talk about the home of the future and this is it. We’re going to learn demand from this,” – Elliot Golan