Eco Smart

Eco Smart Homes in Dallas-Fort Worth

For Coventry Homes, building energy-efficient homes in the Dallas/Fort Worth area is just the beginning. Coventry takes its home building program to the next level by meeting standards in the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Homes program. This means that a new home by Coventry not only offers significant energy savings, but also is built to leave a smaller footprint on the environment. Coventry Homes has been building LEED-certified homes in Dallas/Fort Worth since 2010.

Energy Star 3.1

Efficiency Promise

Energy Efficiency Guarantee

All homes now being built by Coventry Homes qualify for the Efficiency Promise Program, which provides the original homeowner a two-year limited guarantee that the energy used to heat and cool the home will not exceed the guaranteed usage listed on the front of the limited guarantee subject to the terms of the limited guarantee*.


ENERGY STAR®

Buyers can also take comfort in knowing each home Coventry builds is certified through the ENERGY STAR® program, which promises that homes are at least 15 percent more efficient than homes built to 2007 codes and 30 percent more efficient than those constructed in 2000. Among the energy-saving building standards Coventry employs are:

  • Customized HVAC unit and duct sizing based on the number of windows and size of the home
  • A “blower door test” that checks for air leakage, which can account for a third of a home’s heat loss
  • ENERGY STAR®-rated appliances, including dishwashers, programmable thermostats, ceiling fans and light fixtures
  • Baffles above soffit vents to keep the attic well-ventilated, meaning your home is more comfortable in the summer and guarded against moist, heated air building up in the winter
  • A 16 Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) A/C system that not only requires less energy to run, but is quieter than systems with a lower SEER
  • Coordination of jump ducts, returns or transfer grills in bedrooms to create balanced air pressure, allowing the HVAC system to perform at peak efficiency.

*The energy usage is for the heating and cooling portion only of your energy bill and is calculated on the base plan for the floor plan design built. The base plan calculation and guarantee do not include any optional rooms or other modifications listed on the builder’s option addendum, which would alter the base plan size of the home purchased whether added by the builder or purchaser. Since this is a limited guarantee of energy usage and not cost, any reference to dollar amounts is strictly an estimate and actual costs will vary with the cost of energy. More details at www.efficiencypromise.com.

Indoor Air Quality

Breathe easier knowing your home is outfitted with mechanically controlled fresh air intakes that are filtered through 4-inch pleated high performance MERV air filters. Plus, a vapor barrier is installed beneath the home’s foundation, minimizing moisture so your home’s overall energy efficiency is maximized.

And as an extra measure to ensure air quality, each Coventry home undergoes a thermal bypass inspection, including visual third-party review of framing areas where air barriers are commonly missed and inspection of the insulation to ensure proper alignment with the air barriers. It’s an extra check to make sure air and thermal barriers are continuous and complete, which reduces air infiltration, saves money and increases the durability of the HVAC system.

Water Efficiency

Coventry Homes adds several smart features that enhance water efficiencies, most notably a PEX plumbing system with manifold configuration that dedicates hot water lines to each bathroom. According to a study by The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH), this solution enables hot water to reach fixtures twice as quickly as compared to copper.

Outside the home, Coventry’s weather-based irrigation system can reduce a household’s outdoor water use by approximately 15 percent or as much as 37 gallons of water per day. Separate zones are dedicated to the foundation, which protects a home during drought conditions.

Resource Efficiency

Engineered lumber is used for the subfloor joist and wall studs when possible. This decision adds value to construction due to the fact that engineered lumber is stronger, virtually defect-free and capable of supporting heavy loads over long spans. Since the engineered product requires less lumber, waste is minimized and fewer trees need to be cut down.

Coventry Homes also uses brick and cementitious siding for exterior cladding to reduce the amount of air that enters and escapes through the building envelope. As an added bonus, exterior cladding products are backed by a manufacturer’s 25-year guarantee.

Moisture Management

Managing moisture properly protects the durability of your home and the health of your family. Coventry Homes uses a continuous drainage plane to block water that can infiltrate the wall cladding. Also, proper flashing is installed at all windows and doors to protect against air and moisture leaks.

Verification

Coventry’s homes are certified by the EPA and the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET). Coventry participates in RESNET’s Quality Assurance Program and is an ENERGY STAR® partner. In addition, third-party inspectors certify the installation of the foundation vapor barrier and the home’s walls, roof and foundation. Coventry’s homes also receive a third-party endorsement from Green Built Texas (GBT) and are certified through the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Homes program.

A Closer Look


Construction
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Building Homes that are Certified and Verified Green Homes

Homes built by Coventry are RESNET and EPA certified. Coventry is partners with Energy Star, and participates in the Quality Assurance program by RESNET. Moreover, the installation of the home’s walls, foundation, roof, and vapor barrier, are certified by third-party inspectors. Coventry’s homes are also LEED certified, and are endorsed by Green Built Texas program.

HVAC Unit and Duct Sizing

We look for every opportunity to incorporate energy efficiency into each of our homes because we know it will result in a quality, healthy home. That’s why each home in our Eco Smart program has its own A/C and heating blueprint based on the number and size of windows, size of home, and other energy efficient components such as insulation, ventilation and equipment efficiency ratings. Based on all components working together as a system, we properly size the HVAC equipment using the acceptable industry standard Manual J according to the Air Conditioning Contractors of America and EPA standards.

Energy Star Rated Appliances

Energy efficiency doesn’t stop with heating and cooling. To help maximize the energy savings for your home, Energy Star rated dishwashers, light fixtures, and ceiling fans are included to provide some of the highest levels of energy efficiency available today.

Programmable Thermostat Combination Humidistat

We control both the temperature and humidity levels in each home through the use of a temperature and humidity thermostat, providing greater energy savings and comfort to homeowners. Being programmable, it allows you the ability to control the temperature and humidity levels according to your desire and schedule.

Attic Ventilation

A well-ventilated attic keeps your home more comfortable in summer and guards against moist, heated air build up in winter. Our homes are designed with a ventilation system that optimizes circulation and heat displacement.

16 SEER A/C System

By properly sizing and matching the evaporator coil to the condensing unit, our homes deliver an air conditioning system rated at 16 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating).

R-49 Ceiling Insulation

The barrier between the outdoor and indoor air temperature provides some of the greatest energy savings in a home. That’s why we exceed minimum standards and install R-49 ceiling blown insulation in flat attic spaces.

Air Infiltration

We use a two stage sealing process around wall and floor penetrations, as well as between building materials, to reduce air infiltration and ensure a healthier indoor environment.