New home developments in Arizona include communities with an ecological sustainable approach. Many are building energy efficient homes that leave a minimal carbon footprint. Homeowners naturally feel good about this, but they'll feel great when they're electric and heating bills come in. Some of these new home developments in Arizona are part of the Environments for Living(R) Certified Green Program, having been inspected and approved by a 3rd party agency that verifies the ecological nature of the home.

New home developments in this program are designed to have a 20 percent reduction in electricity, a 20% reduction in water usage, and a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions. They essentially create systems that work together for better energy efficiency. Construction techniques are designed for the ultimate sustainability, from framing techniques and insulation systems, to ductwork and combustion safety issues. The design also incorporates indoor water efficiency, appliance efficiency, and indoor environmental quality to achieve the lowest carbon footprint and best energy savings for the home.

These new home developments are APS Green and Solar Communities. Each home comes equipped with an echo(TM) solar system that uses energy efficiency to heat and cool the home, as well as heat the hot water. The system allows home owners to enjoy a 65% reduction in their heating and cooling costs. In fact, the annual heating bill even comes guaranteed through Environments For Living(R). An estimated amount of energy needed to heat and cool the home is provided. If the homeowner exceeds this use, the homeowner is reimbursed 100% of the cost. You also get a comfort guaranty, as the temperature in the center of a given room will not vary by more than 3 degrees the comfort level of a conditioned room in a thermostat zone.

These new home developments are built with tight construction principles that provide a tight shell to support the thermal envelope. Warm and cool is kept inside and drafts are eliminated. Fresh air is brought into the home in a controlled manner, maintaining beneficial air exchange rates to dilute indoor contaminants and everyday pollutants. The homes are installed with improved insulation systems and energy efficient windows, driving down costs. Proper balance is ensured in all rooms through well aligned grills and jump ducts that manage air flow with beneficial temperature exchanges.

Energy efficiency is also applied to the appliances. This means installing efficient washers and dryers, low flow toilets, low flow shower heads and faucets. Efficiency is paid to every detail in these new home developments, minimizing costs while improving the environmental impact.

The beauty of these new home developments in Arizona is the attention paid to comfort and lifestyle experience in the sustainable design. Not only are these homes designed for green efficiency, but a keen eye to comfort and recreation opportunities was paid to the planning of the community. Take the recreation complex center, for example, a clear grounding force of the community that ties neighbors together. These homes often feature access to a complete fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, card rooms and billiards tables, resort style spas and pickle ball courts.