San Diego County's first community to feature the Zero Energy Homes (ZEH) program was unveiled today at an opening ceremony for Soleil at Bordeaux, a Pardee Homes' community in Pacific Highlands Ranch. These technically-advanced homes combine state-of-the-art, energy-efficient construction and appliances with commercially available renewable energy systems such as solar electricity generation to dramatically reduce energy usage.

"Pardee Homes is pleased to have partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy on this important housing project," said Michael McGee, president and chief executive officer for Pardee Homes. "Soleil at Bordeaux is a great example of how voluntary programs can be used to encourage the use of solar energy systems in new homes."

Homes in the ZEH program, an initiative led by the Department of Energy, are designed to reduce an energy bill by at least 50 percent annually. To achieve these optimal efficiencies, a home must include technologies that both reduce energy demand and generate power. Approximately two-thirds of the homes in Soleil at Bordeaux are capable of meeting the Department of Energy's ZEH standards by incorporating features that include solar electric power systems, fluorescent lighting and tankless water heaters. Roughly 98 percent of the homes can be solar capable through use of solar integrated roof systems or backyard solar trellis systems. Residents of Soleil at Bordeaux who choose the ZEH package could potentially reduce their energy use by 67 percent, and up to nearly 75 percent by adding additional energy-saving options.

Soleil at Bordeaux will also feature Pardee Homes' ground-breaking LIVINGSMART® program that reduces energy consumption, encourages conservation, uses recycled or sustainable resources and supports healthy indoor air and water quality. Additionally, Soleil at Bordeaux will continue Pardee Homes' tradition of building homes that meet the Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGYSTAR® standard.

"Pardee has been a leader in environmentally-smart building with the introduction of the LIVINGSMART® program, and we are proud to now extend our work in this area to include the ZEH program," said Joyce Mason, vice president of marketing for Pardee Homes.

Beth Fischer, vice president of community development at Pardee Homes and project manager for Soleil at Bordeaux, explained that Zero Energy Homes are in line with Pardee's overall master-planned community theme. "Pacific Highlands Ranch has been a trailblazer in the areas of environmentally-sensitive development. Bringing the ZEH program to this community bolsters it as a leader on the cutting edge of green building," said Fischer.

Local residents, business leaders, elected officials and executives from Pardee Homes participated in the grand opening of Soleil at Bordeaux including City of San Diego Mayor Dick Murphy and Mark Ginsberg, senior executive board member of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the Department of Energy.

Mayor Murphy applauded Pardee Homes for its continuing commitment to bring energy-saving and environmentally-sensitive options to the homes it builds.

"Pardee Homes has demonstrated time and again that it is a homebuilding industry leader that recognizes the value and the importance of incorporating new and innovative features into their homes that help preserve our environment," said Murphy.

Homes in the Soleil at Bordeaux community range from the $800,000s to the $900,000s. The model homes are located at 13107 Chambord Way in Pacific Highlands Ranch, Pardee Homes' new master-planned community, which is marked by environmentally-sensitive development and homes. With advanced features and smart construction methods, the homes in this area are built with the idea of creating an environmentally-sound community that makes an investment in the earth's future.

Established in 1921, Pardee Homes provides new home choices for a spectrum of households and price points, with particular focus on master-planned settings that also include schools, parks, shopping and other amenities. Pardee Homes has operations in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties in Southern California, Alameda County in Northern California, and the Las Vegas region of Southern Nevada. This year marks Pardee Homes' 50th anniversary in the San Diego market. For more information about Pardee Homes, visit their award-winning website at www.pardeehomes.com.