Living Green

Originally printed in the Natomas Journal in late 2006, it has been reproduced here for web access.

Infamous for its booming economy and being a favorite settlement of migrating Californians looking for cheaper housing and an appropriate place to raise a family, Natomas has become one of the Sacramento’s most sought after areas.
Admittedly, energy efficiency isn’t one of the first things that come to mind for those moving here. Most Californians don’t even think about it. But it is important, necessary, and now a homebuilder has brought it right to what could potentially be your new doorstep.

Originally based in Roseville, Treasure Homes has just moved into Natomas and is building exciting modern homes that stand out from all the other suburban streets surrounding it. Although you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference, these energy efficient, money saving homes at Fallen Leaf are sure to be in high demand.

You only have to refer to your owner’s manual once to program all of these cutting edge features, and then your home is all set up and ready to go. As your house produces and saves energy, SMUD monitors it and then reconciles your bills annually. Sound like a good idea? If that peaks your interest, chances are you will be further convinced as you discover the development’s special features and money savers which come standard in all of the ComfortWise™ homes.

Featuring an on-demand one-piece water heater, the heating system warms only the water you use. Once the faucet is turned on, the hot water stays hot, and the water you don’t need doesn’t change temperature.

Those summer afternoons sweating through the attic are a thing of the past, insulation promises to never get more outlandish than within 10 degrees of what you’ll find outside. The Smart Vent™ offers a similar solution for the rest of your house. When the external temperature is cooler than the inside of your home, it brings in fresh outdoor air rather than cranking up the air conditioner as a common house would. Solar ban windows help to further regulate room temperature, and custom installation of the insulation causes it to be molded around the pipes rather than the typical “stuffing” technique of basic installation. Everything is more efficient, and in turn, saves the homeowner money for the things they really want to spend it on in life.

For those of you who have mischievous kids, make moving day fun by telling them how your new toilet can handle the flushing of seventeen golf balls at once. This new two stage flushing system is extremely efficient, flushing the quantity of the golf balls with its half flush, and saving you approximately 20,000 gallons of water annually.

Included standard are Energy Star rated appliances, and florescent lighting throughout the house Thirty two of these homes will be available for sale in early January. Make a New Year’s resolution to break out of the cookie cutter mold of tract housing and experience for yourself these exciting new perks to life. Save energy and money, while helping not only yourself but the environment too.\ For pricing and more information of these energy efficient features, they can be reached at 916.773.5581 or www.treasurehomes.com.