KB Homeowners to Get "Wiser" about Energy Use and New Home Functionality
KB Homeowners to Get "Wiser" about Energy Use and New Home Functionality
KB Home now including energy monitoring systems with 'smart' home capabilities as a standard feature with all its new homes
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- KB Home (NYS: KBH) today announced that all of its new homes will now include a Wiser™ home management system from supplier partner Schneider Electric. The system will allow homeowners to track their home's energy consumption, in real-time, from practically anywhere. A web-based portal, accessible from mobile devices and home computers, will show homeowners their daily energy usage in both dollars and kilowatts, with the ability to look at the data on an hourly basis. The standard system is also the base of a platform that can be enhanced to include home automation features such as remote door, lighting, thermostat and security system operations, making all new KB homes wired and ready for the 21st century.
"Similar to the way in which the dashboard of a car provides the driver with real-time information about the performance of their vehicle, the Wiser home management system provides our homeowners with information about their home's performance through real-time monitoring of their energy usage. This empowers our homeowners to reduce their energy consumption and make the most of their highly energy-efficient new KB home," said Jeffrey Mezger, president and chief executive officer of KB Home. "This system is also a sign of our times. Not only do consumers want 'smart' phones, they want 'smart' homes as well. By including the Wiser home management system in all of our new homes, we are equipping them to be some of the most intelligent homes out there."
The introduction of the Wiser home management system as a standard feature of KB homes is the builder's latest in a series of continual improvements to its new homes in the area of energy efficiency. All KB homes are ENERGY STAR® certified and include WaterSense labeled fixtures as well as other environmentally-conscious features such as low-VOC paint, programmable thermostats and low-E windows.
The Wiser home management system enables homeowners to become more aware of their home's energy consumption and then maximize their home's energy efficiency by reducing or shifting energy use during peak times. This increased awareness, coupled with behavior shifts can help KB homeowners fully realize a lower total cost of homeownership in their energy and water efficient KB home.
KB Home is the first builder to include the Wiser home management system in its new homes and will also offer additional options to further enhance the system at its KB Home Design Studio. Homebuyers can choose to add items like smart plugs that allow them to monitor and control energy consumption of single items, like appliances or computers. All these features and functionalities can be accessed and controlled by KB homeowners via a free Wiser app available for iPhone, iPad and Android. They can also choose to upgrade to a Wiser thermostat that can be linked to the system to control the thermostat remotely. Other options available thanks to Schneider Electric's partnership with Alarm.com include home automation features like remote light and security system controls.
"At Schneider Electric we're focused on helping create products and solutions for more efficient homes and buildings to help customers save money and meet sustainability goals," said Chris Curtis, president and chief executive officer for Schneider Electric's North America Operations. "Wiser is like cruise control for energy, providing easy access to household energy consumption and costs, while allowing users to actively manage and reduce energy to improve the efficiency of their home. We are thrilled to work with KB Home, a true leader in the development of innovative, high quality homes that meet and exceed customer needs."
The Wiser home management system will now be included in all new KB homes and is on-display at all communities nationwide. To find the KB Home community nearest you, visit kbhome.com or call 888-KB-HOMES.
About KB Home
KB Home is one of the largest and most recognized homebuilding companies in the United States. Since its founding in 1957, the company has built more than half a million quality homes. KB Home's signature Built to Order™ approach lets each buyer customize their new home from lot location to floor plan and design features. In addition to meeting strict ENERGY STAR® guidelines, all KB homes are highly energy efficient to help lower monthly utility costs for homeowners, which the company demonstrates with its proprietary KB Home Energy Performance Guide® (EPG®). A leader in utilizing state-of-the-art sustainable building practices, KB Home was named the #1 Green Homebuilder in the most recent study by Calvert Investments and the #1 Homebuilder on FORTUNE magazine's 2011 World's Most Admired Companies list. Los Angeles-based KB Home was the first homebuilder listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and trades under the ticker symbol "KBH." For more information about KB Home's new home communities, call 888-KB-HOMES or visit www.kbhome.com.
About Schneider Electric
As a global specialist in energy management with operations in more than 100 countries, Schneider Electric offers integrated solutions across multiple market segments, including leadership positions in Utilities & Infrastructure, Industries & Machines Manufacturers, Non-residential Building, Data Centers & Networks and in Residential. Focused on making energy safe, reliable, efficient, productive and green, the company's 140,000 plus employees achieved sales of 30.8 billion US dollars (24 billion euros) in 2012, through an active commitment to help individuals and organizations make the most of their energy.
www.schneider-electric.com
KB Home
Cara Kane, 321-299-6844
ckane@kbhome.com
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