Energy and Water Use Lower in Civano

Studies conducted by Al Nichols Engineering, Inc., an independent engineering firm, show that

energy and water use in houses at the Community of Civano (see

EBN

Vol. 9, No. 7) is significantly lower than that of typical area homes. Energy use in houses at Civano for the 12-month period ending August 31, 2001 is 50% lower than a baseline of energy usage during 1998 and 1999 in Tucson homes built to meet the 1995 Model Energy Code. Civano homeowners saved between $533 to $781, or about $54 per month, on their energy use during this time. For the 12-month period ending July 1, 2001, water use was 65% lower than the baseline of water usage in average Tucson homes during August 2000. To achieve these savings, the public areas and many of the Civano homes use reclaimed water for landscape irrigation, 15 of the 150 homes now built in Civano were constructed with rainwater collection systems, and xeriscape design and permaculture are used for individual homes and public areas.