David Weekley Homes Rolls Out Green Home Program In Houston

by David Weekley Homes

HOUSTON  – The nation’s third largest privately-held builder, David Weekley Homes, has launched its new ‘Green Home’ program within its Houston, Texas communities. The Home Builder is leading the way in constructing the most energy efficient and cost effective homes in Houston to help lessen the impact on the environment, as well as save money for its growing list of Homebuyers.

David Weekley Homes has already started construction on its new Green Homes within some Houston communities. The Green Homes offered through the program are Energy Star certified and meet the Diamond Level requirements for the Environments For Living® Program. David Weekley Green Homes save up to 50% in heating and air conditioning usage over a similar home built to 2004 building code standards* (*From IRS Guidelines, Energy Act of 2005. A home must certify 50% savings for heat and air conditioning over the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)). The Home Builder’s Green Homes are a win-win for its growing list of Customers, Customers’ pocketbooks and the environment.

Some of the key features of the David Weekley Homes Green Program in its Houston communities include:

• 15 SEER HVAC Systems–The air conditioning systems within David Weekley’s Green Homes cool the home with less electricity, which means less money spent on energy costs for the Homeowner and reduced power company emissions. This system also avoids unnecessary cooling of attics by reducing ductwork leakage from 20% to less than 3%.
• Hardi Backer and Anti-Fracture Compounds– The Home Builder uses cement-based James Hardi products instead of drywall in all wet areas. David Weekley Homes also fills the cement board seams with a rubber-like product called anti-fracture membrane to virtually eliminate issues with water when tile is no longer “water tight.”
• Fresh Air System– An electronic system connected to the HVAC system that brings filtered outside air on a timed basis, which in turn creates better air quality.
• Vinyl Windows– Windows in a home are the biggest energy drains. David Weekley Green Homes minimizes this loss with low e2 energy-efficient glass. These specific windows reject more of the Texas sun during some of the hottest summer months. The builder also uses vinyl window frames because metal frames radiate heat and can sweat in humidity.
• Jump Ducts– These flexible ducts connect a bedroom or closed room to an open space in the home, which allows the air coming into this closed room to be pushed through the jump ducts into common areas. This enables Homeowners to close bedroom doors and stay comfortable in their Green Home. This “air blending” helps even out temperatures within the home and also helps the air conditioning system operate more efficiently.
• MERV 10 Filtration– These superior rated pleated filters filter out 70% of all pollen, allergens, mold, dust and other breathable particles to help reduce family allergies.
• Finger Jointed Studs– These materials have been recycled from short pieces of wood and engineered to create wood studs that are actually stronger and stay straighter than conventional wood studs. The builder also utilizes Jamb Savers – recycled plastic door jamb bottoms – that eliminate water rot at the bottom of doors.
• Third Party Inspections– All David Weekley Green Homes go through unbiased inspections performed on: foundations, framing and mechanical systems prior to sheetrock, final plumbing and fixture water tightness, home completion, energy audit, framing energy tightness, thermal bypass, duct blaster, blower door, duct system, and the thermal envelope system.
• Energy Cost Guarantee: Each David Weekley Green Home is given a certificate that indicates the average yearly maximum costs for heating and air conditioning by the Environments For Living® Program. This varies based on the home’s size, number of windows, and other features/options/upgrades specific to the Homeowner’s Green Home. Environments For Living® will also reimburse the Homeowner if cost associated with heat and air conditioning exceeds the average yearly maximum as stated on the certificate, if the Homeowner has complied with terms of the Environments For Living® Program Guarantee

“By utilizing innovative, environmentally beneficial products, we are able to reduce the amount of energy needed within our homes. This means there is less damage to our environment and it also means lower energy bills for our Homeowners,” said David M. Weekley, Chairman, David Weekley Homes. “Our Green Homes are just one of the many ways that we can help our Customers invest their housing dollars more wisely, help the environment and live more comfortably – all of which can help make their David Weekley Green Home easier to resell.”

David Weekley Homes is also working with its other national markets with city-specific Green programs.

About David Weekley Homes

David Weekley Homes, founded in 1976, is headquartered in Houston and operates in 18 cities across the United States.  David Weekley Homes was the first builder to be awarded the Triple Crown of American Home Building, an honor which includes “America's Best Builder,” “Builder of the Year,” and the “National Housing Quality Award.” David Weekley Homes has also appeared seven times on FORTUNE® magazine’s coveted “100 Best Companies to Work For” list.  Since inception, David Weekley Homes has closed more than 50,000 homes. For more information about David Weekley Homes, visit the company’s web site at www.davidweekleyhomes.com.