Building The Homes of The Future
Achieving sustainable housing requires an interconnected framework, incorporating the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of sustainability in equal parts. EcoSmart is helping ensure that environmental and sustainable equity are given equal attention during the planning of our sustainable housing communities. Accordingly, we join forces with diverse stakeholders who support increasing resources for holistic approaches. Together, we highlight the connections between the social, economic, and environmental dimensions while planning EcoSmart Communities.
What We Do For Our Homebuilders
EcoSmart will design, install, and operate the community-wide GeoGrid™ without any additional costs for the Homebuilder. In addition, we design an energy management system to be installed in every home to improve energy efficiency and optimize performance; and work with the Homebuilder to evaluate home designs and floorplans to improve energy efficiency and constructability to achieve a HERS rating of 25 or less for every home built with the ESS system.
EcoSmart provides a competitively priced package of ESS system components and will provide a transferable vendor warranty to the Homebuyers for those system components.
Lastly, EcoSmart will provide a specific marketing and education strategy to support sales and after-sales services.
What Are The Benefits Of An
EcoSmart Solution energy-efficient home?
Home Value
The ESS system increases the value of each home. Appraisers are recognizing the additional value of the Solar PV System, the integrated geothermal heating/cooling system, and the other ESS system components.
GREEN MORTGAGES
Residential lenders serving our flagship development Whisper Valley provided “green” mortgages which allow the addition of the ESS Solution components to be included in the home loan.
TAX CREDIT
Homeowners receive federal, state, or local tax credits for the installed ESS system (at Whisper Valley each Homeowner received a federal tax credit of up to $10,000).
Home Energy Rating System
The energy efficiency of each home is certified using the national industry standard HERS (Home Energy Rating System). Homes with the ESS system provide a HERS rating of 25 or below. Further information is available at www.hersindex.com/understanding
AFFORDABLE ENERGY
Consumers are actively seeking affordable energy solutions and want to have a “green” home and lifestyle.
HIGHER PROPERTY VALUE
The value of an ESS energy-efficient home is expected to increase over time as the operating costs of the home are more predictable and less reliant on carbon-based energy production and pricing.
INVESTMENT
At the Whisper Valley community in Texas, the average investment by the Homeowner in the ESS system ranges from $20,000 to $30,000 for the service and maintenance of the GeoGrid™, each Homeowner in Whisper Valley pays a monthly ESS fee depending on the size of the home.
Lower Energy OPERATING COSTS
The additional investment yields significantly lower energy operating costs for the Homeowner. The savings are higher than the monthly ESS fee (based on HERS ratings)
WHAT IS THE GENERAL PROCESS
For Us To Work Together
Starting The Process
Visit Us
Review Floor Plans
Homebuilder Agreement
Optimizing the Home
Pricing Schedule
What Will The Homebuilder Need
To Agree To And Provide ESS
- The Homebuilder provides ESS with plans and specifications for their homes for subsequent ESS review and analysis
- The Homebuilder should adhere to the ESS guidelines provided to refine and modify their home design to meet the ESS performance standards.
- The home builder must agree to purchase the ESS Package and install the EcoSmart required equipment based on the ESS standards on each home built in an EcoSmart community
- Home Builder agrees to obtain a Confirmed HERS rating for every home built in an EcoSmart Community
- The Homebuilder agrees to pay ESS a fee for their proportionate share of the GeoGrid™ system installation, geothermal heat pumps, and other system components
- ESS provides the system components to the Homebuilder during the house construction process without a progress payment or deposit
- ESS will provide a specific marketing and education strategy for the Homebuilder
- The Homebuilder will work with ESS on the marketing plan for the project which typically includes content and links on the builder web site, press and media placements, and special events.
- The Homebuilder will not be required to place a deposit or pay ESS for the provided system components during the construction of a home. ESS would be paid at the time of home closing.
- When a Homebuilder starts the construction of a home, ESS will be allowed to place a lien on the lot for the ESS fee amount based on the home size and share of the GeoGrid™ system. The lien is released with the payment of the ESS fee at the house closing.
- If a Homebuilder constructs a model home, ESS fees will be due and payable at the time a certificate of occupancy is issued for the home or in no case later than one year from the date of commencement of construction of the model home
- In the event that a Homebuilder owns lots without a home constructed on them in a specific phase of the project where ESS has already installed the GeoGrid™ and other ESS infrastructure, ESS will be allowed to place a lien on the lot for its proportionate share of the GeoGrid™ system. The lien would only be placed two years after the Homebuilder has purchased the lots from the Developer.
