Cost Saving Features In Our Custom Homes

It doesn’t do you any good to build the home of your dreams if it costs you an arm and a leg to keep it heated and, more importantly in Texas, cooled. That’s why the homes built by Don Holmes Custom Homes incorporate the following features to keep your utility bills to a minimum.

Our custom homes are ENERGY STAR® Certified: Recognized for energy efficiency and environmental sensitivity, each custom home we build is ENERGY STAR certified. They’re at least 15% more efficient than 2007 code built homes and at least 30% more efficient than 2000 code built homes. Every one of our homes is tested to meet these stringent requirements.

Blower Door Test: Air leakage accounts for 1/3 of a home’s heat loss. We conduct home tightness tests, otherwise known as “blower door tests” to find and remedy areas where you might inadvertently be heating/cooling the outside rather than the inside.

Customized HVAC Unit and Duct Size: The HVAC Unit and Duct sizes in our homes are based on the number of windows, ceiling height, and other details in the home that impact demand on the system. We properly size the HVAC system using the industry standard, “Manual J”, and size all ducts according to the Air Conditioning Contractors of America Manual D and EPA standards. This way you aren’t wasting energy by overworking your system or using a system that puts out more air than you need.

ENERGY STAR Rated Programmable Thermostats: With a programmable humidistat thermostat, you can control the amount of energy you use according to your schedule which will dramatically lower your energy costs.

ENERGY STAR Rated Dishwasher: ENERGY STAR rated dishwashers use 3 gallons less per load, which not only saves the cost of those three gallons of water, but also the added cost to heat them. In fact, Energy Star dishwashers can save 25% every time you run it.

Attic Ventilation: A well-ventilated attic keeps the house more comfortable in summer and guards against moist, heated air build up in winter. In order to optimize circulation and heat displacement, baffles are installed above soffit vents to increase airflow.

Balanced Air Pressure: Returns or transfer air conditioning grills in all rooms work to create balanced air pressure, allowing the HVAC system to perform at peak efficiency and provide maximum comfort.

Radiant Barrier Roof Decking: Radiant barrier roof decking blocks up to 97% of the radiant heat from entering your attic. This drastically lowers attic temperature and reduces heat from being transferred into the home. This ensures less work for your air conditioner.

15 SEER A/C System: The A/C system has a higher seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). This makes it more efficient and requires less energy to run. You benefit from lower energy costs and more effective climate control.

Polyurethane Sealing: To ensure a healthier indoor environment, we seal all plumbing, electrical and other penetrations of walls and floors as well as joints between building material with polyurethane.