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Congratulations! Meritage celebrates our Net Zero Sweepstakes winner, Ashley Otterbine, and her husband, Larry, of Crowley, TX! We wish you both the best of luck in this new exciting chapter of your lives with your brand new home and first born on the way.

As a national leader in sustainable building practices, Meritage Homes now offers America’s first affordable net zero home. How affordable? Enter the Meritage Homes® Net Zero RevolutionTM Sweepstakes, and you could win one for free.
Fact is, we’re giving away a brand-new, three-bedroom, two-bath net zero home just outside Phoenix, Arizona, valued at $239,000. You could also win one of six $500 Amazon.com® Gift Cards. Simply enter via Facebook or Twitter by May 30, 2011.

What exactly is a net zero home? According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a net zero energy home is capable of producing renewable energy that is equal to the amount it consumes. While a net zero home does not eliminate utility bills, the home’s renewable energy creation can offset those costs, which are primarily a result of energy required by appliances, TVs and computers. Simply put, the home has the potential to create as much energy as it uses each year.

There are fewer than 100 net zero homes in the United States today and the vast majority of homes are either expensive custom homes purchased only by high-end buyers or showcase homes that are not for sale. What makes a Meritage net zero home unique is affordability and availability. Meritage is offering their Net Zero option in over a dozen communities where they build. You don’t need to break the bank to enjoy all the benefits of living in a high-performance home.

Every Meritage net zero home is 100% ENERGY STAR® certified with an estimated energy savings of up to 80%. Efficient appliances provide a 10-50% reduction in wasted energy. Advanced LED and CFL lighting systems use up to 90% less energy than incandescent lighting. High-grade spray foam insulation in the walls and attic create an airtight seal to maintain consistent temperatures, and double Low-E windows reduce energy loss by as much as 30-50% over regular windows.

Cutting-edge renewable energy technology used in our net zero homes includes Echo™ Solar Systems, which produce up to 20,000 kWh energy from the sun. The Solar Control Center connects to the water heater, solar panels, HVAC system and thermostat to save energy, keep your home comfortable and manage indoor air quality.

SEER 14 HVAC systems with programmable thermostats increase comfort and convenience while decreasing operating costs up to 40%. MERV 8 air filters minimize pollen, dust, pet dander and other fibers from indoor air to reduce allergens. And, for an even healthier home environment, we provide low VOC carpets, paints and finishes.

What’s more, the faucets and showerheads used in every Meritage home can reduce water costs up to 50%. Dual flush actuator toilets use at least 20% less water than traditional models. And Xeriscape landscaping, with weather-sensing smart irrigation controllers, is designed to minimize water use in the desert.

When you move into a Meritage net zero home, you can benefit from these remarkable energy and cost savings without making any changes to your lifestyle. You can use your home, set your thermostat, and live anyway you want tot—and enjoy up to 80 percent energy savings at the same time.

Visit a Meritage net zero home and see for yourself. Better yet, enter to win one! The Meritage Homes® Net Zero RevolutionTM Sweepstakes ends soon, so log on to your Facebook or Twitter account today.