Los Angeles-based KB Home is aiming to be the first national production builder to construct homes that meet the EPA’s WaterSense specification.

The company currently includes WaterSense bathroom lavatory faucets as a standard feature in all its new homes and now will incorporate additional water-efficient products and features at select communities that meet the full WaterSense guidelines, at no additional cost to buyers.

To meet the criteria of a WaterSense-labeled dwelling, builders must install WaterSense-labeled showerheads, faucets, and toilets and utilize landscaping designs and technology that minimize water usage. Additionally, the program calls for the use of energy-efficient hot water distribution systems.

According to the EPA, WaterSense-labeled new homes use 20% less water than conventional new homes and save homeowners more than 10,000 gallons of water per year.

KB Home will be implementing the program in a number of test markets nationwide, according to Craig LeMessurier, director of corporate communications, although the markets have not yet been determined.

“Our intention is to demonstrate this new environmentally friendly initiative in several different regions so that we can better understand the dynamics of the program,” he says.

Jennifer Goodman is Senior Editor Online for EcoHome.