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To say Keri Brewer is a fan of Signature Custom Homes may be an understatement.
Thoughtful and meticulous in planning her dream home, she found everything she wanted in the local builder. Simply stated, “The point of building a custom home is to get what you want. I certainly did,” she said. Brewer and her family are now living in their dream home, complete with dozens of energy saving features that she says anyone can manage. And with views of the Las Vegas Strip from nearly every room, Brewer says her second home with the builder exceeded her already high expectations.
“They have been building custom homes for 10 years in Las Vegas and tract homes even longer,” she said. “They are well-known in the community and give back to it in many ways. We knew that this was a company that would be with us through the entire process and for many years after.”
Brewer, a former television news executive and mother of two, said she found it surprisingly easy to install energy saving elements into the design of her new home. “I knew I wanted to do as much green building as I could and am so glad I did,” she said. “Things like solar panels and tankless water heaters may cost a little more up front, but when you’re looking at one percent of the cost of a million dollar home, it is not a significant expense. I see people spend $35,000 on a home elevator or $65,000 on a new BMW. I spent much less and will have a lifetime of benefits with the solar panels alone.”
And the benefits started immediately, with Brewer citing at least two power bills this year that amounted to a whopping $8.40. With 5,450 square feet of living space, Brewer estimates she saves thousands every year in power bills alone from the installation of two sets of solar panels. She should know. Her first Signature Home sits just down the road from her and is occupied by a friend. “I spent between $500 and $600 a month in power bills with my first home. There is no question of the savings now that I am seeing them first-hand.”
Brewer said she considered every area of her new home when planning energy efficiencies. Radiant roof barriers, additional attic insulation, Freus units and even recycled carpeting were installed in the home. “We also have skylights, tinted per our community rules, and bamboo flooring in some areas,” she said. “The only thing I wish I would have done is solar tubes, but I wasn’t sure they were allowed in the community.”
Outside, Brewer helped design elements that provided activities for her children without sacrificing on aesthetics. Synthetic turf, a basketball court, a putting green and a shuffleboard court are surrounded by desert landscaping and highlight one of her proudest accomplishments: the pool.
“Most people with custom homes have a pool, but no views from it. Signature Custom Homes helped me raise the pool to give it views of the Strip as well,” said Brewer. “They did a great job and it is exactly what I wanted. I can’t believe the views I was missing!”
Signature helped Brewer maximize the available views from her home site in nearly every area of the residence. “They designed the house well for the lot,” she said. “They knew what we wanted to center on and took full advantage of it.” In addition to her Strip views from the pool, Brewer and her family also enjoy nearly panoramic views on the first floor with several areas that focus on the famous Las Vegas Strip.
Brewer’s advice for those considering green building? Just do it. “And if you’re not going to do it now, design your home so that it can be retrofitted to install energy saving elements later. You’ll be glad you did.”
The reformed energy spender continues to add green elements to her new home. The recessed lighting now contains Compact Florescent Bulbs and a garden has yielded broccoli, lettuce, tomatoes and even Japanese eggplant. “Little by little we have made energy-saving changes,” she said. “We want to teach our kids that it is possible. It actually isn’t that time consuming. It’s just like recycling. You have to get in the habit and just do it.”
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