Homebuyers love the look and feel of a new construction home, but sometimes what they can’t see behind the sheetrock and under the floors is what matters most.
OKC’s Wheeler Home takes a holistic approach to building energy-efficient new homes by ensuring that the envelope, or shell, of each home performs at the highest level possible. But what really sets a Wheeler home apart are energy-efficient systems like geothermal and solar that can take a home virtually off the grid.
Let’s take a behind-the-scenes tour of the systems that make these homes so energy efficient.
Geothermal Heating and Air
Wheeler District is one of the few all-geothermal neighborhoods in the U.S. But what does the term geothermal really mean?
“Geo-” means earth and” thermal” refers to something that prevents heat from escaping. (You know, like thermal underwear??) Geothermal systems take advantage of stable underground temperatures to heat and cool a home.
No matter where you live in the world, the temperature underground stays around 55 degrees year-round. In geothermal systems, a liquid solution is pumped through a loop of pipes buried in the ground which forms a large heat exchanger that can heat and cool your home.
Why Geothermal?
Geothermal is among the most energy-efficient ways to heat and cool a home. Since these systems utilize stable underground temperatures, they don’t have to fight the extreme heat or cold air in the Oklahoma climate. So, they consume less energy and can reduce your utility bill costs – by a lot!
Units are silent and tucked out of sight. No more noise pollution from your neighbors’ noisy air conditioning units! Plus, Wheeler District’s commitment to being an all-geothermal community means the investment in the neighborhood-wide infrastructure reduces individual homeowners’ costs. And, Geothermal homeowners are eligible for a federal tax credit of up to 26 percent of the total system cost.
On top of all that – Wheeler Home uses systems made by industry leader Climate Master, Inc. which is headquartered right here in OKC. Shout out to local OKC businesses! Whether you are a warm or cool weather fan, the geothermal system will keep your home comfortable without breaking the bank – all by using the good ol’ terra firma.
Solar Power
The Wheeler Home team has taken energy efficiency to the next level by partnering with another great local OKC business, EightTwenty, to provide a solar power option for homeowners who choose additional energy efficiency. Roof-mounted solar panels harness the power of the sun to reduce utility expenses, provide battery backup in the event of power outages, or power an EV charging station to fuel cars and toys.
In fact, one resourceful Wheeler District homeowner installed a 30-panel roof solar system that offset the home’s entire energy bill. Not only that, but with the addition of a battery system, the home would be fully functioning in the event of a power outage for up to seven days!
Life More Efficient
Sometimes it’s the things you can’t see behind a home’s beautiful exterior that make the biggest difference. Wheeler Home builds a unique and novel product with record-setting HERS ratings, (more about in another post!) but – more importantly – homeowners get a comfortable and cost-efficient living experience, all in the heart of OKC.
What you see isn’t always what you get. In a Wheeler home, you get even more!
Interested in buying a home in Wheeler District? Check out our available homes page or use the following contact info to get in touch!