A New Era of Sustainability Rises in the Desert

A New Era of Sustainability Rises in the Desert
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A grand vision for production building inspires home building across the nation.

 Putting sustainability front and center in a model home represents a step forward—or more like a leap forward—for production building. At the 2025 International Builders Show (IBS), builders, manufacturers, architects, contractors, real estate agents and consumers had their first opportunity to see VISION House Las Vegas: Crossing the Rubicon, a collaboration between Beazer Homes and Green Builder Media.

The project, which includes three model homes in the Aria Crossing neighborhood in the planned community of Henderson, Nevada, represents a milestone moving toward all Beazer Homes being built to meet the Department of Energy (DOE)’s Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) standards.

VH Vegas - Aria Crossing Street Scene HiRes-1-300

VISION House Las Vegas: Crossing the Rubicon, a collaboration between Beazer Homes and Green Builder Media, represents an effort by Beazer to build all of its homes to the Department of Energy (DOE)’s Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) standard


“While some large public builders have taken steps toward including energy efficient features in their homes, we are proud to have 100 percent commitment that every home being built by the end of 2025 will be ZERH certified, not just in Las Vegas, but in all 16 of our markets,” says Kyle Tibbitts, division president of Beazer Homes Las Vegas. “We see the need to ensure that families in our homes are living healthier lives – and we are excited to continue to build [ZERHs] at a large scale.”

The VISION House Las Vegas project includes three model homes: Vision, a base model; Aurora, an “upgraded” home; and perhaps most intriguing, Nexus, a “deconstructed” model. The base model is part of Beazer Homes’ READY Series, which includes ZERH certification, Indoor AirPlus qualification, and ENERGY STAR certification, ensuring high-performance, healthier living. 

The upgraded model pilots sustainable features such as Sherwin-Williams air-purifying paints and solar panels that offset 100 percent of energy usage. The deconstructed model peels back the drywall and showcases the products and systems that represent a new level of energy efficiency, healthy living and sustainability for a production builder.

“We’ve invited groups of real estate agents to tour the deconstructed model, helping them grasp all of the building science layered into our homes,” says Dave Reid, vice president of sales at Beazer Homes Las Vegas. “Our partners and manufacturers have also responded positively to the deconstructed house—it’s exciting for everyone to see how all the components contribute to the final product.”

Thanks to the positive reaction from other builders, their trade partners and customers, Beazer plans to build an additional deconstructed house in another market, Tibbitts says. “It has really helped our trade partners understand how their piece of the puzzle fits together with the rest of the products and systems in the house,” he notes.

For other builders, the VISION House project provides proof that it’s possible to build a ZERH at an attainable price, Reid says.

“I often find that national or tract builders just barely meet the code in terms of their building standards, so what impresses me the most is that a company as large as Beazer has made this commitment to sustainability,” says Rob Howard, president of Howard Building Science, Inc. in Granite Falls, N.C. “I was really impressed by [Beazer Homes CEO] Allan Merrill, who seems like an inspirational leader, and by Beazer employees’ exuberance about this project.”

Attainable Sustainability on Display

While Beazer is building its ZERHs throughout the U.S., residents in the Las Vegas area feel the next-level sustainability of these homes is particularly relevant.

“Developing energy-efficient homes is crucial for reducing greenhouse gases, as one-third of all emissions in Southern Nevada are attributed to electricity used in buildings,” says Tory Jackson, sustainability and climate manager for the City of Henderson. “It is exciting to have the VISION House here in Henderson showcasing these sustainability elements. These educate and encourage our residents to make more climate-conscious choices in where and how they live.” 

Beazer Homes’ commitment to sustainability is “truly exceptional,” which is why the Southern Nevada Home Builders Association (SNHBA) recognized the builder with its Sustainability Award at its 2024 Installation Awards, says Tina M. Frias, CEO of the SNHBA in Las Vegas. Frias believes the VISION House project serves as a well-executed example of how home builders are innovating to meet environmental goals and the needs of homebuyers.

“The project thoughtfully incorporated sustainable, user-friendly products, such as high-quality electric kitchen appliances designed with safety features—especially for families with young children,” she says. “Every detail was carefully considered, from product selection to pricing plans that keep homes priced within reason.”

Dean Larkin, an architect and principal of Dean Larkin Design in Los Angeles, visited the model homes during the IBS. He was especially impressed by the deconstructed model home and the fact that Beazer was able to build these highly efficient homes at a price point that makes them accessible to more than just those who can afford a custom home.

“It was brilliant of Beazer to ‘peel away’ the layers to reveal everything they have done to push the sustainability envelope,” Larkin says. “The home itself seems quite unimposing from the outside, which of course was the idea.”

Larkin spoke with Beazer executives, and they shared some of the challenges they faced building these homes, such as the size of the windows and doors.

“I showed them one of our projects and told them we didn’t have that problem,” says Larkin, who builds high-end custom homes. “But we don’t have the budget restraints they do—truly a remarkable achievement at that price point. What really stood out to me was the spirit and dedication of the Beazer group. Only with that can a home like that exist. Kudos to them.” 

Exceptional Features

Howard, who describes himself as someone who “geeks out” at tech-driven features, was impressed by the mechanical room and the garage.

“I had read about Span’s electrical panel, but I hadn’t seen it installed ‘in the wild’ before,” Howard says. “Other builders sometimes do a ‘truth wall’ with an explanation of how something works in a model home, but the deconstructed home and the mural in the garage go far beyond that to explain how these systems work together.”

Even though not every builder can meet ZERH standards right away, Howard feels that the VISION House Las Vegas demonstrates some entry points builders can consider.

“One thing everyone can do is figure out how to get the mechanical systems inside the building envelope,” Howard says. “It’s best to get it into a mechanical closet or encapsulated in the attic.”

Converting to all-electric homes and installing highly energy efficient HVAC systems are also realistic goals for all builders, Howard suggests.

Given the desert climate, it’s natural that Frias was particularly impressed by the energy efficiency of the VISION House homes, particularly their airtight construction, which significantly reduces air leakage.

“This helps maintain indoor temperatures more effectively, lowering the energy needed for heating and cooling while improving the overall performance of the HVAC system,” Frias says.

One reason the VISION Las Vegas model homes successfully demonstrate a path towards ZERH standards is that the products and systems work together. From the building envelope to the smart home features to the floors, fixtures, tiles and paint, each product adds to the sustainability of the finished homes.

The homes are constructed with DuPont Tyvek flashings and tapes for a tight building envelope, which is enhanced by Greenfiber’s cellulose insulation, made from 85 percent recycled post-consumer paper fiber.

Overhead, the Westlake Royal Cool Roof System, which adds ventilation and energy efficiency to each home, is topped with the company’s highly durable Newpoint Concrete Roof Tile, designed to stand up to the harsh desert climate. The exterior of the home also includes Westlake Royal’s Cultured Stone manufactured stone product.


Meeting New Standards with Styrofoam

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As of January 1, 2025, builders have been required to upgrade insulation levels and energy efficiency to meet higher ENERGY STAR for Homes certification standards. One simple option, used in most Beazer Homes, is to install continuous insulation, such as DuPont Styrofoam Brand XPS Insulation. DuPont's Styrofoam helps reduce heat loss from conduction through wood framing when installed on the exterior, as well as reduce the chances internal condensation.

Styrofoam Brand XPS Insulation is closed cell insulation, which absorbs less water over time than EPS foam insulation. Absorbed water can cause damage in freeze/thaw conditions, which is particularly importnat in cold climates. In Humid or stormy climate where moisture is present, the product maintains a higher R-value than EPS insulation.


Solar panels and battery storage from Sunnova provide homeowners at Aria Crossing with the ability to manage their energy consumption and be resilient to power outages.

Recycled steel garage doors from Windsor America, which has reduced its scrap steel by 20 percent within one year, contribute to the low carbon footprint of the VISION House. LiftMaster’s MyQ system provides smart home accessibility and security for the garage.

Smart home features at Aria Crossing provide homeowners with the connected living they crave. Homeowners will be able to manage their HVAC use with Resideo’s smart thermostat. Resideo’s smart alarm systems connect compatible smoke and carbon monoxide alarms throughout the house for greater safety.

The SPAN electrical panel, part of the connected smart home system within the homes, allows homeowners to understand, monitor and manage energy use.

Energy use will naturally be lower in the homes because of the way they are built along with the installation of energy efficient appliances such as the Rheem Proterra hybrid electric heat pump water heater, which uses about 75 percent less energy than a traditional water heater. Energy-efficient appliances from Whirlpool in the homes include an induction cooktop and a heat pump dryer.

Indoor air quality is enhanced with Broan-NuTone’s ERV and its Evolve continuous run exhaust fan, which together automatically monitor and clean the air in the homes. Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint with Air Purifying Technology not only provides a low-VOC product to avoid bringing chemicals into the homes, but the new technology also provides a surface that breaks up odors, reduces VOCs from fabrics and carpets, and inhibits the growth of mold and mildew.

Inside, the products and systems not only enhance the comfort and livability of the homes but also add to their beauty. PureTech flooring from Mohawk, made from 70 percent recycled content with an organic core of 80 percent renewable plant-based material, is installed throughout the living areas of each home. The flooring is scratch-resistant and waterproof for durability.

The kitchen counters and tile walls and floors in the bathrooms are all provided by Daltile, a company whose commitment to sustainability means that more than 99 percent of its tile collections contain recycled materials. In addition, Daltile recovers and reuses 84 percent of all processed wastewater generated in its manufacturing plants to make tile products.

Moen, a long-time partner with Beazer Homes, provides smart water conservation products, including low-flow fixtures and faucets in the VISION House that are particularly important for the Las Vegas desert climate. The Smart Irrigation System monitors water needs in up to eight sprinkler zones to minimize water waste. In addition, the Flo Smart leak detection system with an automatic shut-off prevents water damage and conserves water by alerting homeowners to slow leaks.

The upgraded model at the VISION House showcases closet installations from Organized Living, a company that prioritizes sustainability in its storage systems and sources materials exclusively from FSC-certified and TSCA-compliant wood suppliers, contributing to healthier homes.

Moving Forward for Sustainability

Beazer has elevated its commitment to build every home in every community to ZERH standards going forward, which Frias says is significant, but not surprising.
“Builders in our market continuously pursue the latest designs, efficiencies and effective utilization of limited land,” Frias says. “Their goal is to create homes that balance sustainability and affordability while meeting the needs and lifestyles of today’s buyers. By staying attuned to these priorities, they attract more people to the communities in which they build.”

The VISION House Las Vegas symbolizes Beazer’s full commitment to building ZERHs going forward.

“We are passionate about ensuring the health and wellness of our homeowners, but it can be challenging to articulate everything that we include in our homes without a visual,” Reid says. “We plan to use the VISION House project as a springboard to let people know how we build our homes.”

Ideally, all builders should look at what they’re doing and always build the way Beazer does, Howard says.

“The reality is that we are turning a battleship here, so it will take time,” he says. “Beazer is really moving everyone forward. I hope all the bigger builders are inspired by them.”

VH Vegas - Aria Crossing Solar Panel-3-288

Sunnova’s solar panels and battery storage enable homeowners to manage their energy consumption and be resilient to power outages. CREDIT: Lawrence Monis


VH Vegas - Aria Crossing Aurora bedroom 300

Sherwin-Williams’ air-purifying, interior acrylic latex SuperPaint can be found throughout the house.


Westlake roof 300 (morris)

Westlake Royal’s high-performance tile roof contributes to energy savings, while its Cultured Stone manufactured stone product offers a low-maintenance and highly decorative way to dress up the front or back of the home.


Greenfiber Sanctuary 300 (samantha)

A tight building envelope is enhanced by Greenfiber’s cellulose insulation, which is made from 85 percent recycled post-consumer paper fiber. CREDIT: Green Builder Media/Samantha Carlin


Mohawk flooring 2 300 (samantha)

PureTech flooring from Mohawk, which has 70 percent recycled content with an organic core of 80 percent renewable plant-based material, is installed throughout the living areas of each home.


SPAN panel 300 (morris)
Rheem house 300 (samantha)

The SPAN electrical panel, part of the connected smart home system, allows homeowners to understand, monitor and manage energy use. That includes appliances such as the Rheem Proterra hybrid electric heat pump water heater, which uses about 75 percent less energy than a traditional model.


VH Vegas - Aria Crossing Vision bathroom 300

Daltile-provided walls and floors in the bathrooms contain recycled materials. Meanwhile, Moen provides smart water conservation products such as low-flow fixtures and faucets, and Organized Living supplies sustainably produced shelving.


Kitchen 2 300 (samantha)

Energy-efficient appliances, such as the dishwasher, induction stove, oven and microwave make Whirlpool a household name in more ways than one.


Resideo Honeywell 300 (samantha)

Resideo’s Honeywell 300 smart thermostat enables homeowners to carefully and efficiently manage HVAC use.


Broan ERV 300 (samantha)

Indoor air quality is enhanced with Broan-NuTone’s ERV and its Evolve continuous run exhaust fan, which automatically monitor and clean the air.


VH Vegas - Liftmaster 300

LiftMaster’s myQ system provides smart home accessibility, while Windsor Door’s ultra-durable garage door improves security for the garage.


 

Here’s What Make the VISION House Green

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Broan NuTone: Broan AI Series 150 CFM Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) Model: B150E75NT

Cultured Stone: Manufactured stone solutions 

Daltile: Countertops and wall tiles

DuPont: Tyvek DrainWrap water-resistive barrier, FlexWrap and flashing tape

Evolve Premium Exhaust Fan w/ Continuous Run, 110-130-150 Selectable CFM Model: PTE115RK (available in both lit and non-lit)

Greenfiber: Sanctuary insulation

LiftMaster: myQ garage door operators

Moen: Reverse Osmosis Filtration system, Smart Irrigation system, FLO Smart Water Shutoff, leak detection

Mohawk: PureTech resilient flooring

Organized Living: Freedom rail and Select storage shelving systems and carpet

Resideo: Smart home system including BRK’s Smart 
Interconnect System

Rheem: Proterra Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heater

Sherwin-Williams: SuperPaint with Air Purifying Technology

Span: Energy Management System

Sunnova: Sunnova solar panels and battery storage

Westlake Royal Roofing: Newpoint Concrete Roof Tile cool roof system

Whirlpool: Electric appliances

Windsor: Garage doors