FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe

In every issue you'll find...

  • Expert insights on techniques and principles
  • Unbiased tool reviews
  • Step-by-step details to master the job
  • Field-tested advice and know-how
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Subscribe
Building Business

KB Home’s “Mileage Sticker” for Household Energy Use

By Richard Defendorf
One of KB Home’s Energy Performance Guide labels, whose monthly energy-cost estimate is, in this case, based on a design plan for the company’s Sebastian River Landing development, in Sebastian, Florida, and on local utility rates.

The consumer market is already ripe with monitoring gadgets, software tools, and strategies to help homeowners track and tame their energy use. But the thing is, the effectiveness of each of them – including the ones that rely heavily on peer pressure – ultimately depends on one big, scary variable: occupant behavior.

So maybe there is something to be said for knowing what you’re getting into, energy efficiency-wise, before you actually buy a new home. That seems to be at least part of the rationale behind the KB Home Energy Performance Guide, or EPG, which was introduced this week and is intended to provide prospective homebuyers with an estimate of average monthly energy costs. The estimated costs are calculated using the home energy rating protocol known as the HERS Index rating, which is based on an analysis of the building’s design and performance, and on local utility rates. 

 

The company says EPGs will be posted in all KB model homes starting this month. The HERS Index uses as its reference a comparable home built to the specifications of the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code, which would score 100 on the HERS rating scale. KB Home notes that it builds its homes to meet or exceed the Energy Star standard – which means they would score significantly lower than 100 (because they use less energy) in a HERS evaluation.

 

The beginnings of a green rollout

Some observers were quick to predict that, like miles-per-gallon stickers on new cars, the EPGs won’t dramatically boost sales or mean much to many buyers. On the other hand, why not give it a shot? For the cost of hiring a HERS rater – who is certified by Residential Energy Services Network, the home-performance ratings agency, to analyze design plans, run home-performance tests onsite, and calculate the energy efficiency of the buildings tested – it probably will turn into a decent marketing tool for KB. The homebuyers inclined to pay attention to energy costs are likely to find an average-usage estimate helpful, while those whose priorities point elsewhere will be busy comparing countertops, floor finishes, and faucet fixtures. 

 

KB Home has already attracted attention for its GreenHouse, a prototype designed to operate at net zero energy, and KB’s chief executive, Jeff Mezger, told the Wall Street Journal that the EPG is actually just one part of a larger green-initiative rollout. 

 

It also seems likely that EPG stickers will make their way into homes offered by other big builders. Steve Baden, executive director of RESNET, noted recently that the agency has been forging similar alliances with other major homebuilders, and that Pulte Group could be among the next to adopt the EPG.

 

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

View Comments

  1. DenverKevin | Feb 16, 2011 08:26pm | #1

    Hallelujah,

    This is what I've been been talkin' 'bout:

    http://greenbuildingindenver.blogspot.com/2011/02/finally-consumer-friendly-home-energy.html

    http://greenbuildingindenver.blogspot.com/2010/10/leed-for-homes-rating-system.html

  2. davars | Feb 21, 2011 10:58am | #2

    While I agree in principle with posting an 'energy efficiency rating' on a new home, this looks like a marketing gimmick by KB Homes and will probably lead to confusion for most home buyers. Why? Lets say for example that Ford, GM and Chrysler decide to use the EPA system to rate the cars they make on a 'miles per gallon' basis--like most every other car manufacturer. Now say Toyota decides to market their cars by advertising a 'cost per month' or 'annual gasoline cost'... The EPA's mpg rating system is already well established and most people are already familiar with it. We already have a well established HERS rating system. I can already anticipate the questions from home buyers: Whats the difference between a HERS number and the EPG number? All the information that makes it easy to compare 'apples-to apples' is already in the HERS rating. The estimated annual utility cost is already included with the HERS rating and is adjusted for the local utility rates. The EPG actually give the potential buyer LESS information than a HERS rating. It makes it harder to compare shopping for a house in Denver with a house in say North Dakota, or even a new house in Denver built by another home builder that doesn't use the "EPG" rating system. The "EPG" looks like a marketing tool which gives the APPEARANCE that a KB Home is green or efficient without giving the potential buyer a way to compare that home all the others on the market that may have a HERS rating. I say lets stick with the HERS rating...

  3. KBHomeProblems | Feb 26, 2012 10:22pm | #3

    I think this is a lot of PR from KB Home to try and get some publicity and look like they're setting some sort of energy standard in the new home building industry. I can tell you from first hand experience that KB Home cannot even insulate an attic properly to code. Our attic only had about half the blown in insulation it was supposed to have and the entire other side had absolutely no insulation. It just makes me think a lot of this energy efficiency stuff KB Home is pushing is nothing more than a bunch of hype. They also claim they spray foam gaps to tightly seal their new homews and show videos on youtube showing that they do this. We also had outdoor smells coming in from underneath baseboards all over, obviously KB Home didn't spray foam the gaps to help tightly seal the home like they claim either.

    Here's more information on our experience with KB Home . . .
    http://www.kbhomeproblems.com

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

More Building Business

View All
  • Tools for Managing Home-Building Financials
  • How to Hire and Retain Good Tradespeople
  • A Better Way to Budget in Residential Construction
  • Will the Costs of Residential Building Go Down?
View All

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

The Fine Homebuilding Interview: Emily Mottram

A Maine architect speaks about Pretty Good House and biophilic design principles that adapt to all climates.

Featured Video

Builder’s Advocate: An Interview With Viewrail

Learn more about affordable, modern floating stairs, from design to manufacturing to installation.

Related Stories

  • Fine Homebuilding – Aug/Sept 2022, Issue #309
  • Keep Craft Alive Podcast: Ep.14, Ryan Shanahan, Birdsmouth Design-Build
  • Find a Female Tradesperson With Matriarchy Build
  • Schneider Electric Recalls Line of Electrical Panels

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Video

View All
  • Podcast 468: PRO TALK With Shutter Manufacturer Rick Skidmore
  • Podcast 462: PRO TALK With Construction Attorney Karalynn Cromeens
  • Podcast 461: Adding a Screened Porch, Insulating a Raised Addition, and Preventing Termites in Exterior Foam
  • Podcast 459: Leaky Attic Stairs, Right-Sizing Heat Pumps, and Vapor Barriers in Dirt Crawlspaces
View All

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • 2021 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition
    Buy Now
  • Outdoor Projects
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 309 - Aug/Sept
    • 10 Steps to Install Crown Molding on Cabinets
    • How to Get Sturdy Walls Without OSB
    • Choosing the Right Construction Tape for the Job
  • Issue 308 - July 2022
    • Pretty Good House Book Excerpt: Copper Farmhouse
    • 10 Dos and Don'ts for Electric In-Floor Heat
    • A Sturdy Rail for Outdoor Stairs
  • Issue 307 - June 2022
    • How to Raise a Post-Frame Home
    • Trimming Deck Stairs
    • Evolving an Energy-Efficient Envelope
  • Issue 306 - April/May 2022
    • Framing Stairs to an Out-of-Level Landing
    • Building a Zero-Energy Home for Less
    • Good-Looking and Long-Lasting Traditional Gutters
  • Issue 305 - Feb/March 2022
    • The Steady Surge in Residential Solar
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: William B. Rose
    • How Good Is Your Air Barrier?

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2022 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in