Smarter, Above-Code Homes for Comfort, Savings, and Durability
When we build homes in Wilson, NC, and surrounding areas, we don’t settle for just meeting the minimum code requirements – we aim higher. By using smarter building practices and above-code construction techniques from day one (as we did with our recent Eagle Farm Townhomes project), we create homes that deliver superior energy performance, comfort, and longevity. In the blog below, we’ll explore how these better building practices translate into real benefits for homeowners in our area.
Energy Efficiency and Savings for Homeowners
One of the most immediate perks of an above-code home is lower utility bills. We all know complaining about Wilson’s utility bills is practically a local pastime – but an energy smart home can give you much less to complain about. In fact, homes built to ENERGY STAR® standards use less energy for heating, cooling, and water heating, resulting in an average of roughly 20% savings on annual utility costs. Over the typical 7-8 years that a family lives in a home, that adds up to thousands of dollars saved instead of paid to the power company. (Yes, we’re looking at you, Wilson Energy customers!)
How do we achieve these savings? It starts with construction techniques that go beyond the norm. We install extra insulation and high-performance windows, and we meticulously seal up every nook and cranny during construction. This “tight envelope” means less heated or cooled air leaks out, so your HVAC system runs more efficiently and doesn’t have to work overtime. According to the EPA, a comprehensive approach – sealing air gaps, proper insulation, and efficient windows – lowers energy use and even reduces maintenance costs for the homeowner. In our own builds, we verify this with blower-door tests; our homes consistently score in the mid-2 ACH50 range (air changes per hour at 50 Pascals of pressure), well below the ~5 ACH50 air leakage of a typical new home in North Carolina. The bottom line is simple: a tighter, well-insulated home means you spend less on heating and cooling without sacrificing comfort.
Year-Round Comfort with No Drafts
Saving money on bills is great, but comfort is king in your day-to-day life. One common issue in older or poorly built houses is uneven temperatures – those frustrating hot or cold spots and pesky drafts. Our above-code homes are engineered to eliminate these problems. Extensive air sealing and proper insulation ensure consistent temperatures in each room. Cold winter air can’t sneak in through gaps, and your cool air isn’t seeping out in the summer. In fact, air sealing an average home can eliminate a half-mile’s worth of cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and penetrations – cutting off drafts and even keeping out moisture and pests. The result is that you won’t feel that chilly breeze by the baseboards on a windy January night, nor will you find one bedroom sweltering while another is freezing. A tightly sealed home “envelope” keeps the indoor climate steady and comfortable across the entire house.
An often-overlooked benefit of tight air sealing? Fewer bugs. All those tiny gaps and cracks in typical homes don’t just let air leak out – they’re an open invitation for pests to crawl in. When we meticulously seal your home’s exterior during construction, we’re not just keeping out drafts. We’re also sealing off those entry points for roaches, ants, spiders, and even mice. It’s one more reason homeowners in our area will appreciate smarter building – you’ll notice fewer unwelcome visitors from day one.
We also go above standard building practice in our choice of heating and cooling equipment. Instead of the standard single-speed HVAC system that blasts on at full power then shuts off (creating temperature swings), we install high-efficiency variable-speed air systems. These advanced HVAC units continuously adjust their output to the home’s needs, maintaining a steady, even temperature with no abrupt on/off cycles. This not only saves energy but also means no more hot-and-cold cycling – the temperature you set is the temperature you get. Homeowners enjoy a more stable climate and no more “drafty” feel, even on blustery days. By aiming for a maximum of 3.0 ACH50 in our construction standards (and often doing better), we’ve essentially engineered drafts out of the equation.
Healthier Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
Tightly built homes are fantastic for efficiency and comfort, but there’s another side to that coin: ventilation. In an older, leaky house, you get a lot of random air exchange (albeit along with dust and allergens coming in). In our homes, we manage fresh air intentionally for optimal indoor air quality. Every home we build is outfitted with an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) – a dedicated fresh-air system that continuously exchanges stale indoor air with filtered outside air while retaining energy and balancing humidity. This system is like the lungs of the house, bringing in oxygen without losing all the heating or cooling you’ve paid for.
What does an ERV do for you? First, it ensures a constant supply of clean, filtered outdoor air circulating inside, which dilutes and flushes out indoor pollutants. According to building science experts, an ERV helps remove contaminants and allergens from your home by exhausting stale air (along with odors, excess moisture, and pollutants) and replacing it with fresh air – all while filtering out dust, pollen, and other irritants. This means less stuffiness and a healthier environment, especially important if anyone in your family has allergies or asthma. Moreover, our ERV system recovers heat and moisture during this exchange, which keeps the indoor humidity the the ideal range and prevents the air from becoming too dry in winter or too humid in summer. By keeping humidity balanced, ERVs also inhibit mold growth and other moisture-related issues that can plague homes in our humid North Carolina climate.
In short, our above-code ventilation strategy gives you fresh air without the energy penalty. You can literally breathe easier knowing your home’s air is continuously refreshed and filtered. It’s a level of indoor air quality control that standard-built homes in Wilson just don’t have – and you’ll notice the difference each time you take a deep, clean breath inside your home.
Quieter, More Peaceful Homes
Have you ever been in a new house and been surprised at how quiet is is inside? That’s not an accident – it’s a benefit of smart construction. Our homes are not only more efficient and healthy, but they’re also notably quieter and more peaceful than your average house. One reason is the same air sealing and insulation that eliminate drafts: those features also block outside noise. Sealing up the countless tiny gaps in a typical home doesn’t just stop air leaks; it helps stop sound leaks too. The hustle and bustle of street noise, lawnmowers, or loud neighbors stays outside where it belongs, allowing you to enjoy a calm indoor sanctuary.
We also use high-performance multi-pane windows with argon gas fill, which contribute to a quieter interior. Dual-pane windows already cut noise substantially compared to old single-paine glass. By adding argon gas between the panes, we create an extra sound-dampening cushion that softens outside noises even further. The dense argon gas, combined with the airtight seals and insulated frames, helps hush the sounds of the outside world. So whether it’s a heavy rainstorm or the daytime clamor of the neighborhood, you’ll notice far less of it inside your living room.
Additionally, our choice of a variable-speed HVAC system means the heating and cooling equipment runs at lower speeds most of the time, resulting in quieter operation compared to a typical system that roars on at 100% power. HVAC equipment in Energy Star homes are designed to operate with reduced noise levels while still keeping you comfortable. All of these factors add up to a home that feels peaceful. Many clients from our past remark that they can’t believe how quiet the house is – you might even find yourself sleeping better without all the background noise! It’s yet another quality-of-life improvement that comes from building above code.
Built to Last – Higher Quality and Future Value
When you invest in a home built with better materials and above-code methods, you’re investing in the long term. We don’t cut corners – in fact, we add extra or stronger lumber for future conveniency, reinforcement, or higher quality finish installs. We use advanced water-barrier systems like ZIP Wall Sheathing to prevent leaks, and we opt for durable fixtures and appliances that are built to go the distance. The payoff for you as a homeowner is a house that stands the test of time with fewer problems. For example, our comprehensive approach to moisture management (from sealed crawl spaces to meticulous flashing around windows) means our homes have a strong defense against rot, mold, and water intrusion. This level of durability is a hallmark of Energy Star and above-code homes – they come with comprehensive water protection and better-grade materials that improve the home’s durability. Even details like UV-blocking Low-E window glass contribute here: by filtering out harsh sunlight, your floors, furniture, and finishes are better protected from sun damage over the years. And because we use top-tier HVAC and mechanical systems, you can also expect fewer breakdowns and repair costs over the home’s life.
An often overlooked benefit of building to a higher standard is what it does for your home’s resale value. Energy-efficient, high-performance homes aren’t just good for saving on bills and maintenance – they’re also In demand if you ever decide to sell. In fact, multiple studies across the U.S. have found that buyers are willing to pay a premium for efficient homes. For example, a government-backed analysis by Freddie Mac showed that energy-rated homes sold for an average 2.7% higher price, and more efficient homes, like ours, sold for a 3-5% premium over less efficient ones. Other studies in various markets have found resale premiums ranging from 2% to 8% for homes with green or Energy Star certifications. While percentages might sound small, on a $500,000 home, even a 5% premium means an extra $25,000 in value.
Now, consider our local market in Wilson and nearby Rocky Mount: truly energy-efficient homes are incredibly scarce. A quick look at databases and listings show only a handful of homes in the area advertising “energy efficient” features, and almost none built to full above-code standards. Outside of our Eagle Farm townhomes, we could only find perhaps two other homes in the broader Wilson/Rocky Mount region built in the last year that even claim an Energy Star level of performance. What does this mean for you as an owner of one of these rare homes? Simply put, you have a unique product. When the time comes to sell, your home’s proven low operating costs, comfort, and high-quality construction will make it stand out in the market. Buyers in eastern North Carolina haven’t seen many homes like this – and that uniqueness can translate to faster sales and higher resale value for you. In short, an above-code home not only serves you well while you live in it, but also serves as a valuable asset down the road.
By focusing on smarter building practices and exceeding code requirements, we deliver homes that save you money, keep you comfortable, protect your health, reduce noise, and hold their value. These benefits aren’t afterthoughts or marketing fluff – they are built into the very bones of the house from the ground up. Our Eagle Farm Townhomes are one shining example of how planning for efficiency and quality from day one pays off for our homeowners, but we carry these same principles into every project we undertake, whether it’s in Wilson or abroad. When you choose a home that’s built above code, you’re choosing a better living experience today and a better investment for the future. It’s the smarter way to build – and the better way to live.
Ready to learn more or see one of our homes in person? Contact us to schedule a tour or talk through your own build.