Buying GuideEnergy Efficiency
Smith Douglas HomesEnergy Efficiency
When you choose a new construction home with Smith Douglas Homes, not only will you have a home, personalized to your needs and style, but you’ll also find more green in your pocket and built in. At Smith Douglas Homes you’ll get a new home, built with energy efficient construction and design. New homes that meet or exceed current energy codes can save up to 30% in energy compared to older homes built just a decade ago.
Energy Efficiency
- Foundation
We start with compacted and geo-tested, post-tension building pads with steel-reinforced concrete in most locations and use fiber mesh reinforced concrete in Raleigh. - Insulation
Our insulation reduces heat transfer and maintains a comfortable indoor temperature. - Windows & Doors
We install Low E insulated vinyl energy-efficient windows and doors that have good seals to prevent drafts and reduce heat loss or gain. - Lighting
We offer energy-efficient LED ceiling lights in our homes. Homeowners may wish to install smart lighting systems to avoid unnecessary energy use. - Appliances
We offer Frigidaire energy-efficient appliances. Our options for front-load washer.. dryers, refrigerators, and some dishwashers come with an ENERGY STAR rating, which work well and consume less energy compared to standard models. - Water Heating and Plumbing
We build each home with an energy-efficient water heater with the option for a tankless water heater in some locations. The heat pump unit in Raleigh is ENERGY STAR-rated. - Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
We install 14.3 - 17 seer heating and cooling systems with computerized damper systems where applicable, which vary by location, please check with your onsite agent. All homes are tested for thermal envelope and duct system tightness prior to completion and include a programmable digital thermostat. - Sealing and Air Leaks
Our homes are air-sealed with caulk and expandable foam prior to the installation of drywall. This prevents any air leaks in the building envelope to prevent heat loss or entry of hot air in the summer. We then install a housewrap vapor barrier between the structural sheathing and all exterior veneers giving the exterior of the home more cooling absorption and warmth-retaining qualities. - Water EfficiencyOur plumbing fixtures have water-saving fixtures like low-flow toilets and aerated faucets to reduce water consumption and waste.
Each Raleigh area home is constructed with additional energy benefits and savings, for the life of the home. Through our participation in the Duke Energy Progress Residential New Construction Program, each home is installed with increased insulation, high efficiency windows and state-of-the-art equipment like heat pump water heaters.
Ultimately, we deliver homes that are typically 20% more efficient than those only built to North Carolina code. These homes offer enhanced comfort, energy savings and improved air quality. Since 2017, Smith Douglas has built over 1,600 energy-efficient homes, that result in a total savings of $6,16,735.68 for our homeowners.
Look for the HERS rating by plan, to see our score and the estimated monthly cost for energy bills. Some plans are so efficient, the energy costs estimated are only $31 a month or slightly over $1 a day.
Our Houston area homes are ENERGY STAR Certified, offering you durability, better comfort, and reduced utility and maintenance costs in every Houston Area home we build.
To earn the ENERGY STAR, a new home must undergo a rigorous process of third-party inspections and testing to verify that all applicable program requirements are met. For site-built homes, this verification is performed by an independent home energy rating company, and under the oversight of an EPA-recognized Home Certification Organization (HCO) or a Multifamily Review Organization (MRO), depending on the verification method used. For homes built in a factory environment, a Plant Certifier, operating under the oversight of an EPA-recognized Quality Assurance Provider (QAP) ensures that a manufacturing plant has systems in place to consistently build ENERGY STAR certified homes and performs ongoing quality control testing. To be recognized as a Home Certification Organization, Multifamily Review Organization, or recognized Quality Assurance Provider, an organization must submit an application to EPA demonstrating that it meets the program’s eligibility criteria and can successfully perform the required roles and responsibilities outlined in the application.
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