Texas recently passed a new green building code that requires standards like improved window performance, better wall and ceiling insulation, and whole house mechanical ventilation.
The Houston Business Journal reports that some home builders will have to catch-up to meet these mandates. Builders will have to conduct new energy tests and document how they are meeting new regulations.
Many Texans want more energy-efficient homes, but it will likely come at a higher cost to builders and consumers, said John Leggett, CEO of On Point Custom Homes. He estimates meeting these new regulations will add 1 percent to the total cost of a house. In other words, a 2,500-square-foot home that costs $200,000 will likely be $2,000 more expensive as a result of these new energy codes, Leggett said.
