We Believe in Green

The facts are simple - we either go green or we put our future sons and daughters in a position that will be extremely difficult. In actuality going green is not that hard. All it takes is a little thought and a few minor habit changes.

Conserve energy. Who wouldn't like to cut down on those energy bills? Allow us to show you how.
Conserve resources. Recycling is a great way to conserve out Earth's resources which allow out posterity to have access to them. All it takes is another bin on your curb for garbage day.
Make smart, green purchases. Making these good purchases not only save our Earth but also hurt the non-green thinker's pocket books.

Building a green home is a huge step in a healthy direction. If you're considering this option for your family then American Heartland Homes wants to help you reach this goal. We are committed to providing you with the materials you need to make sure your new custom home is green and eco-friendly.

For more information on the green movement, please follow these links:

Our goal is to build solid, high performance homes that provide our homeowners with less maintenance, plus energy and water efficient features which will lead to noticeable overall savings on annual utility expenses, create a healthy and relaxing home and contribute to improving the earth's environment

What does a high performance green home mean for our homeowners?

Less Maintenance = more leisure time + more money saved
Reduced Energy Usage = more money saved
Advanced Construction Technology and Materials = a healthier, quieter and more comfortable home

Your High Performance Green Home can help save your family 17 percent or more on utility costs*!

For example, for a family with a $500 per month electric bill, the savings could be more than $7,000 over seven years. A 10 percent reduction in a $200 monthly water bill could add another $1,600 in savings over the same period. Over a thirty-year period, these savings could amount to more than $30,000 in utility bills and $2,700 in water bills.

Homesite Management and Waste Reduction

Practices and building techniques that reduce the environmental impact of new home construction:

Preservation and protection of healthy, mature, and original trees on homesite
Obtain TCEQ Storm Water Permit
Reuse of form board materials
Separation and recycling of building materials during daily trash and waste removal
Gutters tied to an ADS drain system with area collection boxes to carry rainwater away to curb and away from homesite (Castle Hills only)
Gutters with splash blocks located at the bottom of downspouts to prevent erosion and disperse water (All non American Heartland Homes Castle Hills Homes)

Water Efficiency and Conservation

Water conservation measures that reduce indoor and outdoor daily usage include:

Low-flow plumbing Moen fixtures in kitchen and baths
1.6 gallon water efficient commodes in bathrooms to reduce unnecessary water usage
Low-flow appliances such as Energy Star-rated dishwashers that use up to 3 gallons less per load
Zurn PEX Plumbing system with homerun shut-off valve which devotes hot waterlines to each bathroom to sustain efficiency
Insulated hot waterlines in foundation
Irrigation systems with auto shut-off that also feature rain and freeze sensors to avoid pipe bursting, unnecessary watering during rains, and reduce condensation to avoid mold growth (per community specifications)
Native landscaping with Stage 3 drought-tolerant plantings
Additional nutrient-rich wood mulch in all landscaping beds
Here is some more information you may find interesting.

Improved Indoor Air Quality

Ventilation and filtering features as well as design guidelines to improve indoor air quality:

Fresh air supply vent on fireplaces to supply oxygen for fire combustion and avoid smoke emission into the house
Continuous perforated soffit around perimeter of home to reduce attic temperatures and increase attic circulation
Roof vents located throughout attic that work in accordance with perforated soffit to reduce attic temperatures and increase attic ventilation
14-SEER Lennox 1 or 2 zoned heating and air conditining with a 10 year limited manufacturer's warranty
Manual dampered masked air ducts in all bedrooms for fresh air intake, supply, and return
Merv 8 Air Filtration System to protect from dust,debris, allergens, and pollen
Vapor barrier under foundation to control moisture
1/8" Thermo-ply and corner bracing with taped seams to prevent water and air infiltration
Solid-core door between garage and home tightly sealed by gaskets
Third party Thermal Bypass Inspections (per Energy Star requirements)
Smoke detectors and combination carbon monoxide/smoke detectors located throughout the home

Energy Efficiency and Conservation

Cost Saving Energy Star-certified measures:

Properly-sized Dual 14 SEER A/C and natural gas heating units and ducts complete with separate zone programmable thermostats (2-story homes) to schedule energy use accordingly, reduce electricity bill, reduce noise, and easy climate control
Natural gas heating system with electrical spark ignition plus mastic seal at duct connections
Tech-shield radiant barrier roof decking to reduce heat gain through roof
Double pane vinyl thermal windows with Low-E glass including 10-year limited manufacturer's warranty
R-6 insulated air ducts with returns and transfer grills in bedrooms to stabilize air pressure
R-22 and R-30 Owens Corning batt insulation at sloped ceilings and minimum R-30 blow insulation in flat ceiling areas (per plan)
Continuous perforated fiber cement soffit around perimeter of home to reduce attic temperatures and increase attic ventilation
Roof vents located throughout attic that work in accordance with perforated soffit to reduce attic temperatures and increase attic ventilation
Polycel foam caulking used around doors, windows, the bottom plate, and all exterior penetrations
Thermo-ply used as exterior sheathing with taped seams to prevent water and air infiltration
Recessed can lighting for kitchen, fireplace, hallways, stairways, and front porch (per plan) to reduce heat loss
Learn what American Heartland Homes can help you with.

Third party inspections and testing during each phase of construction:

Engineered foundation inspection before concrete is placed
Blower door tests to verify home tightness and prevent heat loss (per Energy Star specifications)

Benefits of our Energy Star-certified home include, but are not limited to:

Noise Reduction & Improved Insulation
Monthly energy cost reductions
Maintenance Reduction
Healthier Indoor Air Quality
Potentially Higher Resale Value
Superior Construction
Learn More

Resourceful Material Usage

Mandatory environmentally friendly materials with sustainability in mind:

Use of engineered lumber which are strong, practically defect-free, and highly sustainable
Fiber-cement products including soffits, lap siding, fascia board and trim which hold paint 2 to 3 times longer than masonite or wood, resist damage by hail or termite attacks, and will not crack or delaminate (limited manufacturer's warranty for up to 50 years)
Gutters tied into ADS drain system with area collection boxes to carry rainwater to curb and away from the homesite (Castle Hills)
Gutters with splash blocks located at the bottom of downspouts to prevent erosion and disperse water (All other American Heartland Homes excluding Castle Hills)
Roof overhangs covering at least 90% of exterior walls to protect the building envelope
Metal drip edge used at the edge of eaves and gables to prevent water infiltration

Homeowner Education

American Heartland Homes offers our homeowners

On-site meetings throughout the homebuilding process including a Pre-Construction Meeting, Pre-Drywall Meeting, and a Homebuyer Orientation Meeting once the home is complete
10-stage construction process and key construction terms online
On-going preventative and maintenance education to encourage proper use of energy efficient features and orientation on the operation and care for their homes
Knowledgeable sales and construction management staff

Allow us to show you how with Energy Star.