Meritage builds ‘deconstructed’ home to demonstrate green features

Home-building giant Meritage Homes cut the ribbon earlier this month on its first high-performance, green community in the San Antonio area. Rolling Creek includes six plans and offers homes that are as much as three times more energy efficient than standard Energy Star homes — at no additional cost.

To help educate potential buyers on the green homes at Rolling Creek, Meritage built a demonstration home that “literally peels back the walls and ceilings to showcase its energy-saving features,” according to the company. Standard energy-efficient, green features include: spray foam insulation; double low-w vinyl windows; energy-efficient CFL lighting; low-flow plumbing fixtures, including dual-flush toilets; 14-SEER air-conditioning unit; weather-sensing irrigation system (optional).

“You will be able to see how different this home construction is from its windows and wall systems to its lighting, thermostats, appliances, and dual-flush toilets,” said C.R. Herro, vice president of Environmental Affairs for Meritage Homes. “When all of these components work together, it creates a home that is more sustainable, cleaner and quieter.”

Homes at Rolling Creek start in the high $120,000s and range between 1,730 to 3,060 square feet in size.