Pardee Adds Hybrid Cars to Its Green Building Program

Taking its commitment to green building one step further, Pardee Homes has announced that as leases are renewed for its company cars, it is making the transition to hybrid vehicles with the Ford Escape Hybrid SUV.

“This is the logical next step in eco-friendly commitments that include superior energy efficiency and other green building practices, as well as preservation of open space and native habitat,” said Mike McGee, company president and CEO, who initiated the transition to a green fleet.

According to McGee, nine of the vehicles are on order for Pardee Homes, and they will be used by company couriers and customer service managers.

The front-wheel-drive model of the Escape Hybrid is estimated by the Environmental Protection Agency to get 36 miles per gallon in the city and 31 on the highway.

Pardee Homes has 100% participation in the EPA’s Energy Star program, and it certifies all of its homes as being 30% more energy-efficient than specified by the federal Model Energy Code and 15% more efficient than homes built to California’s more stringent Title 24.

Introduced in 2002, Pardee’s LivingSmart® program enables its customers to select standards and options allowing them to integrate state-of-the-art environmental, energy conservation and air quality features in their non-custom-built homes. Included are solar power, engineered or certified lumber, tankless water heaters, fluorescent lighting and water-conserving appliances and landscape design.

The program accounts for approximately 2,400 new homes, according to the company, which was established in 1921 and is based in Los Angeles.

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