As Utah enters yet another drought season, homeowners are becoming increasingly aware of their house's impact on the environment. Poorly designed sprinkler systems, landscapes, and plumbing contribute to the drought as well as a hefty water bill. Ivory Homes understands wise planning for water usage is good for homeowners as well as the environment. Because of this, Ivory Homes has incorporated Localscaping and water-wise features into each of their home designs.

According to water.utah.gov, 99.47% of the state is in severe drought or worse, with 55.67% of Utah in extreme drought.

Localscaping

One way Ivory homes is fighting the drought is through Localscaping. Localscaping is a landscaping approach that helps Utah homeowners incorporate patterns and practices that take into account Utah’s unique climate.

Ivory Homes incorporates Localscaping into their home models with: 

• Generous paved patios and terraces that provide outdoor living spaces and reduce the amount of watering needed. 

• Shade trees in planting areas (not in grass) to maximize shade and protect from the wind.

• Utility areas or side yards with pavement or gravel surface.

• Additional pavements in the front yard that can provide an inviting entry space.

• Space plants that provide, at maturity, coverage and shade for the soil.

• Bark mulch in newly planted beds that helps condition soil and reduce evaporation.

• Alternate surfaces in play areas such as sand or wood chips 

Before and after a home has incorporated Localscaping techniques

These Localscaping techniques increase the value of your home, allow for functional space usage, make irrigation easier, increase curb appeal, use water efficiently, and require less maintenance than traditional landscapes. Homeowners interested in learning more about how Localscaping techniques improve the value of your home can visit https://localscapes.com/ .

Water-wise features

In addition to Localscaping, Ivory Homes is fighting the drought by incorporating water-wise features into each of their home designs. These features include high-performance toilets, water-efficient faucets, and smart flow showerheads. 

All toilets in Ivory Homes models are rated at 1.28 gallons per flush (GPF), which is above the industry standard of 1.6 GPF.  Additionally, all bathroom fixtures meet the guidelines for the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) WaterSense certification to conserve water.  According to the EPA, replacing old, inefficient faucets and aerators with WaterSense labeled models can save the average family 700 gallons of water per year, equal to the amount of water needed to take 45 showers. If every home in the United States replaced existing faucets and aerators with WaterSense labeled models, we could save nearly $1.3 billion in water and energy costs and 69 billion gallons of water across the country annually. This is equivalent to the annual household water needs of more than 680,000 American homes. Because Ivory Homes is aware of the impact home appliances have on water usage, they have carefully selected water delivery systems that maximize performance and minimize waste. 

Ivory Homes incorporates EPA approved faucets, toilets, and shower heads into their home models

A Hopeful Future 

By embracing water-saving techniques like Localscaping and water-wise features, Ivory Homes hopes to contribute to the ongoing fight against Utah’s drought. In addition to the steps Ivory Homes has already taken to help reduce water usage in their home models, Ivory Homes is committed to continuously looking for new opportunities to help the environment. 

To learn more about what Ivory Homes is doing to save the environment, visit https://ivoryhomes.com/green/