LOS ANGELES, Oct. 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) has joined KB Home and BUILDER magazine to create a demonstration home that integrates the latest natural gas and electric energy-efficiency technologies through the Greenbuild KB Home ProjeKt™ demonstration home. The model will be featured at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in the Los Angeles Convention Center on Oct. 5 and Oct. 6. The home is an example of how innovative natural gas and electric technologies can help residential units meet rigorous green building standards that help them become "Zero Net Energy" (ZNE).  A home is considered ZNE when it produces equal to or more than the energy it uses over the course of a year.

The KB Home ProjeKt showcases natural gas as a key element of green building, instrumental in achieving high-efficiency standards and green certifications while meeting home buyers' preferences.

The KB Home ProjeKt will include a state-of-the-art two pounds-per-square-inch natural gas internal piping and delivery system featuring corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST), an integrated gas appliance load center and a natural gas fireplace. The model home also features an outdoor natural gas barbecue, a hybrid gas and electric heating and cooling (HVAC) system and a high-efficiency tankless water heater.

"Home buyers have told builders again and again they want clean, energy-efficient and affordable natural gas for cooking, home and water heating and for clothes dryers," said Lisa Alexander, vice president of customer solutions for SoCalGas. "The KB Home ProjeKt shows that natural gas is also instrumental to home buyers' preferences for green living."

The ProjeKt home also includes an innovative residential-scale 1.5 kilowatt solid oxide fuel cell powered by natural gas that generates baseload electricity and heat for space and water heating requirements in the home. The demonstration home is designed to be sustainable, resilient and to meet certification requirements for both Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, which is better known as LEED, and National Green Building Standards. In addition, the model home meets ZNE standards, as defined by the state of California's 2020 goals. Residential new construction ZNE will soon be the standard in California and SoCalGas is committed to helping builders get there efficiently and cost-effectively, while satisfying home buyers' expectations, builders say.

Recent residential surveys reveal that 83 percent of SoCalGas' customers prefer a dual-fuel ZNE home, if given the choice between electric-only or a combination of natural gas and electric technologies. In contrast, only six percent of survey respondents preferred an electric-only ZNE home, while the rest were undecided. Of those surveyed, 71 percent were homeowners and 29 percent identified themselves as renters.

The display at the 2016 Greenbuild Conference and Expo will boast vignettes that feature assemblies and systems, home tours, interactive educational features and a digital wall display. Beginning Oct. 5, more information on the KB Home ProjeKt will also be available nationwide via the online virtual tour at here.

Greenbuild KB Home ProjeKt is presented by Hanley Wood in partnership with KB Home (NYSE:KBH), BUILDER Magazine, KTGY Architecture + Planning and Virginia Tech. The technologically advanced home offers a forward-looking glimpse on what ZNE homes may look like in the years 2020 and 2050, bringing new perspective and strategic scenario-planning opportunities to builders and consumers alike. 

About Southern California Gas Co.
Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) has been delivering clean, safe and reliable natural gas to its customers for more than 145 years. It is the nation's largest natural gas distribution utility, providing service to 21.6 million consumers connected through 5.9 million meters in more than 500 communities. The company's service territory encompasses approximately 20,000 square miles throughout central and Southern California, from Visalia to the Mexican border. SoCalGas is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego.

About Hanley Wood
Hanley Wood is the premier company serving the information, media, and marketing needs of the residential, commercial design and construction industry. Utilizing the largest analytics and editorially driven Construction Industry Database, the company provides business intelligence and data-driven services. The company produces award-winning media, high-profile executive events, and strategic marketing solutions. To learn more, visit http://hanleywood.com.

About KB Home
KB Home (NYSE: KBH) is one of the largest and most recognized homebuilders in the United States and an industry leader in sustainability, building innovative and highly energy- and water-efficient new homes. Founded in 1957 and the first homebuilder listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the Company has built nearly 600,000 homes for families from coast to coast. Distinguished by its personalized homebuilding approach, KB Home lets each buyer choose their lot location, floor plan, décor choices, design features and other special touches that matter most to them. To learn more about KB Home, call 888-KB-HOMES, visit www.kbhome.com or connect on Facebook.com/KBHome or Twitter.com/KBHome.

About KTGY Architecture + Planning
Celebrating 25 years in 2016, KTGY Architecture + Planning is an international award-winning full-service architecture and planning firm delivering innovation, artistry and attention to detail across multiple offices and studios, ensuring that clients and communities get the best the firm has to offer no matter the building type or location.  KTGY's architects and planners combine big-picture opportunities, leading-edge sustainable practices and impeccable design standards to help create developments of enduring value.  KTGY serves clients worldwide from offices located in Chicago, Denver, Irvine, Los Angeles, Oakland, Pune and Tysons.  Call 888-456-KTGY or visit http://www.ktgy.com.

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SOURCE SoCalGas