First there was the EarthCents Home — energy efficient, comfortable and environmentally friendly. And now, Pensacola will be home to the very first EarthCents subdivision.

Jaxson Estates has the first EarthCents Homes in the subdivision completed and ready for sale. Located in West Pensacola on Highway 297, Jaxson Estates Home prices start at $130,000 and top out at $180,000. Eighty-four homes are planned for the Cantonment subdivision. 

“This partnership with Jaxson Estates is an important step for Gulf Power — a large-scale implementation of the EarthCents Home,” said Sandy Sims, Public Affairs manager. “To have an entire subdivision dedicated to EarthCents is an aggressive statement for the builder and for this area. We hope this bold step will encourage buyers and builders to see the advantages of EarthCents homes.”

Bob Price, Jaxson Estates builder, says he thinks the EarthCents Home brand will help him sell more homes. “These homeowners will save up to 40 percent on their energy bills,” Price said. “That’s a great selling point. The homes are built to high energy-efficiency standards, and best of all, they’re performance-tested — designed to save them energy.”

The EarthCents Home is enhanced to exceed EnergyStar standards as well as changes to the Florida Model Energy Code. 

“Customers can save between 25 and 50 percent annually on their energy costs,” said Sims, “and reduce their carbon footprint as well — by more than 9,500 pounds of CO2 per year.” 

Customers also are eligible for rebates from Gulf Power if they choose to install certain super-efficient equipment. For example, customers can receive a $1,000 rebate for installing a solar water heater and $400 per ton for installing a geothermal heat pump.

In addition to the Gulf Power incentives, homeowners may be eligible for state rebates and federal tax credits.

Jaxson Estates, a Sweetwater Homes subdivision, is featured in this year’s fall 2009 Showcase of Homes which runs through Oct. 11.

Gulf Power Company is an investor-owned electric utility with all of its common stock owned by Atlanta-based Southern Company. Gulf Power serves more than 400,000 customers in 10 counties throughout Northwest Florida. The company’s mission is to safely deliver affordable, reliable and environmentally responsible energy to very satisfied customers in strong communities.