Beat the Heat: How WestWind Homes Keeps You Cool and Efficient All Summer Long

The South Texas Summer Challenge

Every summer, the temperature across South Texas pushes the thermometer—and your energy bills—into the triple digits. In cities like Laredo, McAllen, and Edinburg, keeping your home cool is not just a comfort—it’s a necessity. But what if your home was built to perform against the heat? What if it was designed not just to survive summer, but thrive in it?

At WestWind Homes, energy efficiency isn’t a luxury. It’s a commitment. From the ground up, we engineer every home to deliver performance, comfort, and savings, even when the sun is at its fiercest. And we have the credentials to prove it—from award-winning home builds to impressive HERS (Home Energy Rating System) scores that tell the full story.

In this post, we’ll break down:

• How WestWind Homes tackles summer energy efficiency from foundation to rooftop

• What the HERS Score means and why it should matter to you

• Our history of winning awards for energy performance in South Texas

• Real savings you can expect when choosing a WestWind home

• Tips for maximizing comfort and efficiency all year long

Building Smart from the Start

The journey to an energy-efficient home begins long before the A/C is installed. At WestWind, we start with smart planning, materials, and building techniques that deliver measurable results.

1. Foundation Insulation & Sealing

   • Our slabs are insulated to reduce heat transfer from the ground up, keeping your floors cooler in the summer months.

2. Radiant Barrier Roof Decking

   • We use radiant barriers in our roofing systems to reflect heat rather than absorb it. This simple but powerful feature can reduce attic temperatures by 20–30 degrees.

3. Low-E Windows

   • Energy-efficient windows reduce solar heat gain and protect interiors from UV damage. You’ll notice cooler rooms and preserved furniture and flooring.

4. High-Efficiency HVAC Systems

   • We install systems that are both ENERGY STAR® certified and tested to perform in high-humidity, high-temperature zones.

5. Duct Sealing and Air Leakage Testing

   • We test for leaks and seal ductwork properly to ensure you’re not wasting cooled air—or money.

   
   

Understanding the HERS Score—and Why You Should Care

A home’s HERS Score is like its MPG rating. The lower the score, the more efficient the home. A standard new home typically scores 100. Older homes might score 120–130 or higher.

WestWind Homes often achieves HERS Scores of 65 or lower—meaning our homes are 35% more efficient than the average new home on the market.

Why That Matters to You:

• Lower monthly utility bills

• Greater comfort, especially in bedrooms and high-use areas

• Improved resale value due to better performance ratings

• Reduced environmental impact

Quick HERS Score Guide:

• 130+ = Inefficient older home

• 100 = Standard new build

• 70 = WestWind-level performance

• 0 = Net-zero energy (extremely rare)

Award-Winning Energy Leadership

We’re proud to be recognized multiple years in a row by the Parade of Homes and local homebuilder associations for our commitment to energy efficiency.

Our awards include:

• Best Energy Efficient Home (Rio Grande Valley Builders Association)

• Parade of Homes Winner for Green Building Standards (Laredo)

• Certified Energy Star Partner Recognition (Multiple Communities)

These awards don’t just sit on a shelf—they represent real savings, comfort, and performance that our homebuyers enjoy year after year.

What Savings Look Like in Real Life

Let’s talk numbers. If you currently live in a 10–15 year-old home, you might be paying $250–$400 per month in peak summer electricity bills. WestWind homeowners often report monthly bills under $150 during the summer months—even with kids home from school and the A/C running nonstop.

Example:

• 2,000 sq. ft. resale home (built in 2005): $320/month in July

• 2,000 sq. ft. WestWind home (built in 2024): $140/month in July

Over the course of a year, that’s more than $2,000 in savings.

Tips for Maximizing Comfort in Your WestWind Home

While we do the heavy lifting through our construction methods, here are ways you can make your home even more efficient:

• Use a smart thermostat to create cooling schedules

• Close blinds during peak heat hours to block solar gain

• Change air filters regularly to improve airflow and efficiency

• Keep exterior doors shut during high-temp hours

• Plant shade trees strategically around south- and west-facing windows

Why Energy Efficiency Should Be a Deal Breaker

Energy efficiency isn’t just a “nice to have.” In 2025 and beyond, it’s a necessity—especially in South Texas. With electricity rates rising and climate resilience becoming a top priority, the performance of your home matters more than ever.

When comparing builders, always ask:

• “What’s the HERS Score of this home?”

• “Are the appliances ENERGY STAR® rated?”

• “What’s the average monthly utility bill for this floor plan?”

If a builder can’t answer those questions, they’re not building for today’s buyer.

Choose a Home That’s Built to Perform

At WestWind Homes, our mission is simple: build homes that look beautiful, live comfortably, and perform year-round. Our energy efficiency standards are not a trend—they’re part of our DNA. It’s why generations of families continue to choose WestWind across Laredo, the Rio Grande Valley, and beyond.

Ready to step into a cooler, more efficient future? Come visit one of our model homes and ask us to show you the numbers. Because at WestWind Homes, performance isn’t optional—it’s our promise.