In Houston, the two programs that are getting a lot of Buzz and being asked about is Energy Star and Environments for Living.  Energy Star has done an amazing job branding itself as Energy Efficient.  The Energy Star logo is now a common sight on products that use Electricity as well as more and more builders hopping in to use the program.

When it comes to homes, Energy Star primarily focuses on how much Energy the products in the home use.  For example, the Dishwasher, lights, ceiling fans, hot water heater, etc.  An Energy Star home uses Energy Star rated products.  It is important to remember that Energy Star does not focus as much on the Envelope of the home.  Absolutely I agree that as many products as possible in the home should have the Energy Star logo- but this is where Environments for Living hopped in to bridge the gap.

Environments for Living is a program that appears to be growing with Light speed in the Houston area, but what does it mean?

The two main differences if you take a look at the Websites for the two >>ES<< and >>EFL<< are this:

• Energy Star: “at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC)
• EFL: “seeking to achieve energy efficiency 50 percent above 2006 IECC“

EFL takes Energy Star as a basic minimum standard.  There is a minimum requirement for products in the home that have to bear the Energy Star Logo…and then builds on top of that, so at the same time they focus somewhat on different features of the home.

In both programs, you will find a focus on Air Infiltration meaning the home will not ‘leak’ as much air in or out depending on your climate but their end goal for energy usage are using different Codes with different requirements.

As Craig Lobel with EcoEdge Consulting puts it:

EFL energy models the actual floor plan and then makes recommendations on R-Values, SEER and AFUE.   I think it’s important to remember that floor to ceiling, wall to window, and wall partitioning differ from each home.  Their energy modeling process also gives the annual electricity and natural gas BTU usage for the home.  Also keep in mind, EFL backs their program up with a 3 year comfort and energy usage guarantee and geared towards being 50% more efficient on Heating and Cooling over a code built home in a given region.

Another part of the Thermal Envelope are the windows- how they are sealed and the minimum requirement for Solar Heat Gain.  Air Ducts in the attic must have a minimum R-Value, holes in the homes sheathing must be sealed to not only help with Air Infiltration but moisture management which is a HOT topic in Gulf Coast Regions such as Houston

If you get up in to a higher rating of EFL, the home also focuses on Water Efficiency and other GREEN features.

Both Energy Star and Environments for Living are great programs, they just focus on different things in the end.  Which one should a Homebuyer consider?  Well, that depends on what your needs and wants are…maybe even what price range you are in.

Check out the links that I have placed throughout this post and it may help to explain more in detail the difference between the two.  In my opinion, EFL focuses more on the envelope and the home as a system than Energy Star and should have a tighter blower door test rating in the end…if your focus is Energy Efficiency.

A few days ago I posted a teaser about a Solar-Powered Hybrid Community going in on the North Side of Houston.  Just inside Montgomery County off of Riley Fuzzel to be exact. This will be the 1st of its kind in Houston.

Well, here goes!

Land Tejas (Canyon Gate Communities’s) has partnered with EcoMagination’s, a GE/Masco Program, to build a Development of Environments for Living homes.  The Community will be call Discovery at Spring Trails.  What does that mean?

As many of you know, Houston’s Real Estate Market evolves around Affordable Housing and while there are many people that may be interested in Building Green, it may not be an affordable option for everyone yet.

Environments For Living and EcoMagination is that Bridge for now. Each home in the Community will be fitted with PV (appx. 1 KW System).  Not only that, there are Technology Features in each home for the Homeowner to maintain and reduce Water Usage.   From my understanding, the community will also have a Complex Rain Water Capture System that will be used for Landscaping throughout the Development and Solar to make the Community Self Sufficient.  Thus, Solar-Powered Hybrid.   The homes are expected to be from the 170’s to the 300’s.

One of the Best parts of all of this is that they are Building a Discovery Center at the Front of the Community.  This will be a place for Potential Homebuyers or anyone else interested to go and learn about what a Green Built home is all about.  There will be a Media Center with Videos and the opportunity to see first hand what makes a Greener Home different.

This is great news for Houston!  We now have the opportunity to learn how to integrate Greener Homes in to Affordable Housing.

Homeowners that build under the Environments for Living and Ecomagination will experience Considerably Lower Electric Bills, Lower water Usage, and Healthier Products being used in the home.  All of these features can be viewed from the home’s Dashboard, a central control center that will track usage.  All features will have a Guarantee from GE.

A few more details about the homes:

• Energy Star Lighting Package, Energy Star Appliances, an In-Home Energy and Water Management Control System, and a Solar Energy System
• A community-wide energy and water management program for a target of 50% or more energy and water savings in common areas.
• Fiber broadband services that will deliver voice, video, data, security and energy management services to every home.
• A curbside recycling program with weekly collection of newspapers, metal cans and plastic beverage containers for recycling.
• Greywater systems will recycle water for irrigation. A reclaimed water storage facility will be located within the community.

Can’t wait until October to see the Discovery Home and want to know more? Contact me.  As always, feel free to post your comments regarding the Community.  Turning Houston Green wants to know what YOU think.