How Our Innovative Geothermal Infrastructure Powers Zero Energy Capable Homes
Like every new residential development, the vision starts with the land. To make our vision for a sustainable community like Whisper Valley a reality, we had to create a new kind of geothermal infrastructure that was easy and affordable for the developer to install upfront with the other utilities. To attract builders to try something so revolutionary, we had to make it easy for the builders’ homes to connect to the infrastructure using their existing home designs.
What is EcoSmart Solution in Whisper Valley?
EcoSmart Solution was created by Taurus Investment Holdings, LLC to serve as a turnkey, green energy services provider integrating scalable, renewable energy technology. In Whisper Valley, EcoSmart is focused on designing and delivering geothermal infrastructure combined with a full suite of distributed energy resources and other renewable technologies.
The heart of the EcoSmart Solution is the GeoGrid™, a geothermal district system that uses the Earth’s stable ground temperatures to heat and cool your home. Our collective goal is to create a decarbonized, clean, and electrified future – setting a new standard for energy systems in master-planned communities.
An EcoSmart partner home includes dynamic smart home appliances and a Solar PV system that work with the GeoGrid™ to create zero energy capable homes engineered for unsurpassed performance. EcoSmart homes are third party certified and achieve unrivaled energy ratings. Homeowners can make a difference for the environment and lower their monthly energy bills to almost nothing.
A home is one of the most important investments we make in our lifetime. EcoSmart homes are highly energy efficient, smart, connected and are available at a cost effective price.
Geothermal Energy in Whisper Valley
Getting this new infrastructure approved in Whisper Valley required extensive education with city staff, utilities, developers, and homebuilders. Working closely with the City of Austin, we received approval for a new utility easement along the back of all lots to accommodate geothermal boreholes and horizontal piping creating grid infrastructure on a per phase basis.
The GeoGrid™ required drilling a 360-foot-deep borehole at the back of each lot, and horizontal trenches to interconnect each ground loop into a district. At Whisper Valley, these open trenches also allow for easy installation of fiber internet cables.
The Energy Center is the final piece of the GeoGrid™. Serving as the heart and brain of the geothermal system, the Energy Center circulates water through the geothermal district to maintain the heating and cooling efficiency of connected homes. It also manages the system during extreme weather conditions such as freezing temperatures or high summer heat in Central Texas. During home construction, the EcoSmart team works closely with builders to review all home plans and go over all requirements and specifications to accommodate the EcoSmart Solution program.
Zero Energy Capable Living
Our EcoSmart engineers analyze each floorplan to determine the amount of solar PV required to achieve zero energy capability in conjunction with the geothermal infrastructure. By using a ground source heat pump instead of a traditional HVAC system, you eliminate noisy outdoor condensers and concrete paths. The heat pump also preheats your domestic hot water, offers cleaner indoor air quality, and is estimated to last twice as long as a traditional heating and cooling system.
A wider variety of home sizes, lot sizes, and architectural designs are offered in Whisper Valley and all homes are engineered to be zero energy capable, providing relief to the Texas grid and saving our homeowners money. By adding battery storage to your home, you can also ensure resiliency during major weather events.
Superior HERS Ratings
Each home in Whisper Valley is rated by a third-party Home Energy Rating Service (HERS) on a scale from 150 down to 0 energy rating. With an average HERS rating of 16 for our EcoSmart homes in Whisper Valley, homeowners save substantially on their monthly energy bills. Even today’s most energy efficient homes typically rate around 60, while older, less insulated homes rate much higher. Therefore, annual electricity savings from a previous home to a Whisper Valley home can be up to $3,000 per year.
“I got my first energy bill and it was effectively zero,” homeowner Teri said. “I love the fact that I can use the technology to inform me to be able to make better decisions if I leave and I forget to turn things up or adjust them, then I can do that remotely in the app in my phone. My house is essentially 69 degrees consistently. In my previous home, to keep my house 69 degrees was at least $300 a month in electric bills. So, to go from $300 in electric bills – that’s a no brainer.”
Make Your Move
Make a difference. Join the movement toward a sustainable, affordable future here today with EcoSmart Solution in Whisper Valley. Featuring new homes by six premier homebuilders priced from the upper $200s-$600s, homebuyers can find the ideal, zero energy capable home that fits their lifestyle and needs.
Explore our list of move-in ready homes and plan to visit our community Discovery Center to learn more about Whisper Valley living at 9400 Petrichor Blvd. Manor, TX 78653.