Austin Master-Planned Community Debuts Geothermal-Powered Homes
The Whisper Valley community in Austin offering geothermal energy.
AUSTIN — (By Dale King, Realty News Report) — Whisper Valley, a large planned community under development near Austin, is embracing sustainable, alternative energy sources. The project will use geothermal systems alongside solar power and other energy-efficient technologies to meet heating and cooling needs.
While Whisper Valley is not the first development to include energy-conscious homes, its developer says this will be the largest community of its kind—planned for about 7,500 homes at full build-out—to feature homes designed to be energy neutral, producing as much energy as they consume.
Homes in Whisper Valley will include Bosch geothermal heat pump systems for heating and cooling, roof-mounted solar panels, Bosch energy-efficient appliances, and a range of green building features aimed at reducing energy usage and improving indoor comfort.
The 2,062-acre community, located near the suburban town of Manor in northeastern Travis County, will include single-family homes, multifamily residences, and commercial space. Taurus of Texas, a subsidiary of Boston-based Taurus Investment Holdings, estimates the project’s build-out value at approximately $2 billion.
“We are seeing strong interest from homebuyers who want the latest technology and the most energy-efficient homes at an affordable price,” said Douglas Gilliland, president of Taurus of Texas.
Taurus established EcoSmart Solution LP to design and implement the alternative energy programs that will be integrated throughout Whisper Valley, helping make the community one of the largest energy-efficient housing developments in the country when complete.
Geothermal heating and cooling systems operate by connecting homes to the relatively stable temperatures just a few feet beneath the Earth’s surface, explained Jay Egg, a certified geothermal designer and mechanical professional. An indoor unit links to a buried loop system filled with water and antifreeze; circulating fluid transfers heat to or from the home depending on the season.
Whisper Valley and its geothermal approach were highlighted in a recent Metrostudy webinar. Shailesh Topiwala, director of corporate development for Bosch Residential Solutions, outlined how geothermal systems provide both heating and cooling. Although geothermal technology has been available for many years, he noted, advances in equipment and installation methods are bringing it into the mainstream.
Green building practices are gaining momentum across the industry. According to Topiwala, in 2015 more than 30 percent of builders used green technologies in fewer than 60 percent of new homes; by 2020, he predicted, a majority of single-family home builders would adopt green practices. Key drivers include improved energy efficiency, healthier indoor environments, and greater durability and resilience.
Beyond energy systems, Whisper Valley will preserve roughly 700 acres of parks and open space, featuring trails, streams, meadows, and wooded areas. Community amenities will include a community center, a resort-style pool, playgrounds, a fitness center, and extensive hiking and biking trails.
Taurus says Whisper Valley will support Austin’s ambitious carbon-reduction goals for new buildings. The city has set a target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions from buildings by 2050, and developments like Whisper Valley are intended to help reach that objective.
At full build-out over the coming decade, Whisper Valley is expected to include about 7,500 homes and apartments, plus more than 2 million square feet of retail space, neighborhood services, restaurants, and other commercial uses.
The project is being built in phases. A Taurus spokeswoman reported that 60 homes have been sold to date, with 30 now occupied. Phase I is planned to include 239 homes—200 single-family houses and 39 townhomes—with prices ranging from the low $200,000s to the $370,000s.
Officials say phases two and three could add roughly 700 more homes. In addition, every house will be wired for Google Fiber to provide significantly faster internet service than typical options.
