Colorado's MLS listings just got a little greener

Thanks to the efforts of KB Home and its partner, non-profit energy ratings standardbearer RESNET, the Colorado Energy Office has added a new "Green Features and Certifications" category to its Multiple Listing Service, which includes Energy Star certificaton, HERS scores and other energy efficiency features.

According to the company, KB Home has pioneered this effort since 2011 and was the first home builder to provide energy-effciency information directly to consumers via its Energy Performance Guide. KB Homes was also the first to put HERS score labeling on all of its homes to allow consumers to make informed decisions regarding energy costs and utilities. Now, home buyers in Colorado will be able to see this data across the board.

"There will soon be a day that home buyers will demand to know a home's HERS score or its estimated energy bill -- and we are well-prepared for this today," said Matt Mandino, president of KB Home's Colorado division. "We know that an energy-efficient home is a better value by helping lower the total cost of homeownership. In fact, in the state of Colorado, on average, a new KB home is up to 70% more efficient than a typical resale home."

Colorado isn't the only area where KB Homes is realizing significant growth at the moment. The company announced the grand openings of two new communities in the Bay Area on Friday. KB Homes will be expanding its single-family home presence in Danville and Dublin this summer.