In addition, Atkinson Custom Homes LLC has just begun its participation in the LEED Certification Program. LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED provides building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. LEED is flexible enough to apply to all building types – commercial as well as residential. It works throughout the building lifecycle – design and construction, operations and maintenance, owner occupation, and significant retrofit.
Atkinson Custom Homes places high priority on using the latest in energy-efficient products in the most important areas of your custom homes’ energy consumption.
Insulation is one of the most important elements in having a high efficiency home. Each of our homes has insulated garages, porches and patios. In addition, almost every interior wall is insulated as well. In some homes, every interior wall is insulated. Atkinson Custom Homes are built using an R-Rated exterior wall sheathing as well, adding to the homes’ energy efficiency in addition to the standard wall insulation. Insulation can be upgraded to Blown-In Wall Insulation (BIBS) or Spray Foam Insulation to provide additional energy savings. Spray Foam Insulation in your walls and in your attic can now be added to your home as a very inexpensive upgrade.
Roof decking absorbs the most heat in a home, so our homes have radiant barrier roof decking which helps to keep the attic and ceilings at a cooler temperature. Attics and roof decking can be upgraded by using Spray Foam Insulation on the underside of the roof decking if desired. Solar-powered vent fans can also be added to remove hot air from the attic.
Water heaters, furnaces, cook tops and dryers are powered by LP Gas in most homes to provide energy savings. Currently, there is rebate offered by the state of Texas to homeowners in order to promote LP Gas usage instead of electricity. This rebate will usually pay for the cost of a gas dryer or cover the entire cost of upgrading to a LP Gas cook top. Solar-powered or tankless water heaters can be used to provide additional energy efficiency. All of the electric appliances we use - refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, cook top and microwave - are Energy Star Rated.