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KB Home to Build Energy Plus Certified Homes in Las Vegas

Business Wire, Dec 01, 2009

NV Energy reinforces builders commitment to reduce utility bills,
energy consumption

LAS VEGAS — KB Home (NYSE: KBH), one of Americas premier homebuilders, builds all
of its homes in Las Vegas in both new and existing communities to NV
Energys strict Energy Plus guidelines. This commitment
expands on a companywide initiative to build all homes to the ENERGY
STAR standards. An ENERGY STAR qualified home is up to 45 percent more
efficient than a home built as recently as 10 years ago and an Energy
Plus certified home is 15 percent more efficient than that. A new Energy
Plus certified home built by KB Home will allow homeowners to reduce
their carbon footprint and monthly utility bills for years to come.

Las Vegas-area homebuyers want quality homes that are energy-efficient,
environmentally friendly, and affordable both at the time of purchase
and over the lifetime of operating the home, said Jim Widner, regional
president of KB Home. Energy Plus certified homes drive down costs
associated with day-to-day living in a home.

While energy savings vary depending on the size and features of a home,
buyers should know that Energy Plus certified homes are 30 percent more
efficient than the state building code requires.

We are proud to have building partners like KB Home who are committed
to going above and beyond what is required to make each one of their
homes a meaningful source of energy conservation and efficiency, said
Michael Yackira, president and chief executive officer of NV Energy.
They are truly a credit to the success of our Energy Plus program.

To increase the energy efficiency of an Energy Plus certified home,
builders must upgrade the homes environmentally friendly features. This
includes maximizing the efficiency of the heating and cooling equipment,
providing additional insulation in the floors, walls and attic,
installing energy-efficient products like appliances and ventilation
fans, tightening construction and seals on ducts and controlling air
flow in and out of the home. Once the home is completed, it is tested,
rated and certified by a third party Home Energy Rating System (HERS)
rater to ensure that the upgrades meet the Energy Plus Homes
requirements. This results in a more efficient and comfortable home.

KB Home homebuyers can further lower their energy bills and reduce their
consumption of natural resources by choosing options from the Companys
My Home. My Earth. program in the KB Home Studio. A
range of environmentally friendly options are offered in four categories
Energy Efficiency, Inside Environment, Water Wise and Sustainable
Sources.

KB Home builds Energy Plus certified homes at all of its Las Vegas-area
communities. For more information about community locations, visit www.kbhome.com
or call 888-KB-HOMES.

About KB Home

KB Home, one of the nation’s premier homebuilders, has delivered
hundreds of thousands of quality homes for families since its founding
in 1957. The Company is distinguished by its Built to Order
homebuilding approach that puts a custom home experience within reach of
its customers at an affordable price. KB Home’s award-winning homes and
communities meet the needs of first-time homebuyers with flexible
designs that also appeal to move-up buyers and active adults
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