Shea Homes announces new Green Certified Pricing packages

Shea Homes recently announced the launch of its new Green Certified Pricing packages available this month at Ardiente, North Las Vegas' age-qualified master-planned community.

The three new-home collections at Ardiente -- Riviera, Monte Carlo and Portofino -- combine eco-friendly features and energy efficiency with special pricing.

According to Ryan Smith, sales manager at Ardiente, homes are Shea Green Certified, surpassing the stringent industry benchmarks for green construction, resource conservation and energy efficiency.

Pricing starts from the mid-$100,000s to the low $200,000s with floor plans ranging from 1,359 to 1,930 square feet.

"Many of our homebuyers have been attracted by the features of our Green Certified program, notably the resulting savings on energy costs," Smith said.

Shea offers three levels of Shea Green Certified features. These packages are: Complete, Plus and Ultra. According to Smith, the benefit of selecting one of these packages, instead of choosing green features on an individual basis, is a cost savings of about 10 percent.

Homeowners also can expect to reduce their carbon footprint by up to 48 percent. The homes built as part of the Environments for Living program offer a written performance called Comfort Guarantee on heating and cooling energy use. For example, the guarantee states that the temperature in any room in an Ardiente home won't vary by more than 3 degrees from the temperature on the thermostat.

The cost estimates for the Energy Usage Guarantee are based on utility rates in place in February. On an annual basis for heating and cooling costs, the Rome floor plan is about $949 per year ($79 per month); the Monaco plan is $1,105 ($92 per month) and the Nice plan is $1315 ($110 per month).

Shea Green Certified Complete package offers Anderson dual-pane windows, radiant-barrier roof sheathing, energy-efficient HVAC, cellulose insulation and Energy Star appliances and low-flow fixtures. Low volatile organic compounds paint and adhesive and fresh air ventilation provide better, healthier air quality. Sustainable forest products (used whenever possible) and an aggressive recycling program help conserve resources.

"Our Complete package makes these homes less costly to operate, healthier to live in and more eco-friendly," Smith said. "These benefits can be further expanded with our two other green packages, Plus and Ultra."

Shea Green Certified Plus augments the Complete package with a solar-powered attic fan to reduce temperatures in the warmest part of the home, high-efficiency Jenn-Air kitchen appliances, Maytag font-loading clothes washer and dryer, electric vehicle charging station and a smart sprinkler system that can save as much as 80 percent on exterior water usage.

Ardiente's all-inclusive green package, Ultra, adds on a solar-integrated roof tile system for generating electricity.

Ardiente's model gallery is open daily at 5840 Summit Greens St. in North Las Vegas. For more information, visit sheaardiente.com or call 224-8200.