New Home Community Offers Solar for Everyone - A First in San Bernardino County
Fontana, CA, April 22, 2008
CenterStone Communities and Petersen-Dean Roofing Systems celebrated Earth Day with the official opening of Harmony at CenterStone Estates where, for the first time in San Bernardino County, solar power is included as a standard feature in homes designed for families as well as for singles and couples.
Each of the 56 single-family detached homes to be built at this new Fontana community will be topped by a 2.3-kW integrated solar roof tile system, designed and installed by PD Solar, a division of Petersen-Dean Roofing Systems. The rooftop solar system and other energy efficiency and green features built into the homes are expected to lower utility costs by 40 to 50 percent.
"By going solar and adopting a broad array of energy and green features, we are able to significantly reduce utility costs, conserve natural resources and protect our environment, all while improving the quality of life to be enjoyed by those who live in our homes," said Hal Woods, the president of CenterStone Communities.
"Solar is a proven technology and with decades of experience, we know the benefits and savings are real," said Jim Petersen, president of Petersen-Dean Roofing Systems. Based in Northern California, where the company has been installing integrated solar roof systems for the past 30 years, Petersen-Dean is particularly pleased to be bringing its expertise to Southern California and into the largest county in the state - San Bernardino County.
"We applaud CenterStone Communities' commitment to solar, especially at a time when challenging real estate market conditions might dictate eliminating features, no matter how advantageous in the long-term," Petersen added.
Unlike other new home communities where solar is offered as an extra-cost option, the PD Solar Roofing System is a standard, fully warranted feature at Harmony at CenterStone Estates. Encompassing from approximately 2,222 to 3,378 square feet, three floorplan designs offer a choice of one- and two-story arrangements with provisions for three to six bedrooms and up to four full bathrooms.
Depending on usage, the 2.3 kW solar systems are estimated to provide 30 percent or more of a family of four's power needs. In addition to the solar rooftop systems, the homes also are being built with a full array of such energy efficient features as vinyl-framed; dual-paned Low-E glass windows, Energy Star®-rated appliances and mastic adhesive-sealed ductwork that, when combined with other measures, result in efficiencies that outperform California's Title 24 Energy Code requirements by more than 17 percent.
Taking environmental sensitivity even further, various green technologies are being utilized, including planned sequencing so as to minimize construction waste, more than 60 percent of which is then recycled. The homes also are being built with engineered wood products from fast-growing, commercially-farmed trees. Additionally, incorporating fly ash into the concrete provides for a strong product that requires less water, along with a 20 percent savings on the need for energy-intensive production of cement. Other air quality considerations include the use of low volatile organic compound (VOC) paints and cabinet stains and improved insulation materials.
In honor of the completion of the community's three model homes, today's Earth Day celebration at Harmony at CenterStone Estates was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by representatives of the State Assembly, San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, the Fontana City Council, the Inland Empire Utilities Agency Board of Directors, the California Energy Commission and Southern California Edison. Located at Baseline Avenue and San Sevaine Road, just three miles east of Interstate 15, the information center and model homes are open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
About CenterStone Communities
Dedicated to innovation, superior design and the sustainability of the neighborhoods that it creates, CenterStone Communities has built more than 700 homes throughout Southern California and Nevada. The company has garnered regional and national acclaim at "Best in American Living and Best in the West" design competitions as well as numerous local redevelopment and beatification awards and honors. With a commitment to "Building a Brighter Future," additional solar home communities are now being planned for Highland, Beaumont and Cerritos. For more information about Harmony at CenterStone Estates, please go to www.centerstone.com.
About Petersen-Dean Roofing Systems
Petersen-Dean, Inc., and its wholly-owned subsidiaries provide roofing, solar energy and waterproofing services to commercial, residential and public-sector clients in California, Arizona, Florida, Nevada, and Texas. One of the largest privately-held roofing firms in the country, Petersen-Dean, Inc., has been ranked in the top five of all specialty contractors in the United States by RSI magazine in each of the past five years. The company is headquartered in Newark, CA.