Naples homebuilder, soaking up demand, adds solar unit

Kaye Lifestyle Homes recently launched solar home division.

The Naples-based firm, in a statement, says it’s responding to “increased homebuyer requests for innovative building practices that address energy efficiency, sustainability and durability in new home construction.”

Kaye Lifestyle Homes Operations Manager Ben Kaye was named to lead the new division. Key elements of the company’s high-performance homebuilding process, according to the statement, include:

• Extra-thick Foamular insulation applied to all concrete block walls and foundation.
• Top rated R-38 BATT insulated A/C ducts act as a secondary ceiling to bring ductwork adjacent to air-conditioned space and effectively seal the envelop of the home. Additional insulation is applied on the ceiling and in the attic where most heat and energy escapes.
• High efficiency heating and cooling systems — lower tonnage usage results in a lower power draw.
• Heat pump/hybrid water heater. To offset a water heater’s power consumption — one of the biggest power draws in a home — a heat pump installation pulls heat out of the air then uses the energy to efficiently heat water and help reduce power usage by almost 30%.
• Low solar heat gain coefficient windows — dual-pane 185-aluminum single hung windows are specifically manufactured to reduce heat and lower energy.
• Quality indoor air ventilation systems. Extra-thick HEPA and UVA filters, plus a full home ventilated dehumidifier that both decreases humidity and circulates filtered air, effectively doubles as a secondary home ventilation system.
• Energy Star appliances, LED lighting, smart thermostats and low-flow water fixtures.

“High-performance building is one of the top three energy trends in residential construction today,” Ben Kaye says in the statement. “It is a form of green building but one with a focus on energy performance. One of the greatest advantages of building to a high-performance standard is the built-in resilience and durability that comes with an airtight, well-insulated home. Factors such as choosing a basic house shape, roof assembly and the types of materials used all play a part in reducing costs and increasing energy efficiency.”

KLH is one of few Southwest Florida builders offering sustainable and environmentally sensitive solar panels, which, in some cases, include the incentive of a 26% federal tax credit.

Founded in 1985 by Stuart and Jay Kaye, Kaye Lifestyle Homes has built more than 4,000 homes. KLH services include luxury custom homebuilding, 11 Signature and Designer Series home designs ranging in size from 1,127 to 3,500 square feet of living space in three- and four-bedroom configurations, home renovations, a collection of home sites and home financing options. KLH home designs are priced from the $300,000s to more than $5 million.