The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recognized Better Climate Challenge and Better Buildings Challenge partner Foundation Communities for decarbonization and energy efficiency advances made across its approximately 3-million-square-foot portfolio of multifamily housing in Texas. This progress is exemplified in Foundation Communities’ Homestead Oaks Apartments, which DOE toured today alongside Foundation leadership and elected officials to get a firsthand look at decarbonization in action.
At its Homestead Oaks Apartments, Foundation Communities has implemented efficiency and decarbonization features that are driving progress toward its portfolio-wide goals. Each unit includes energy- and water-efficient appliances, LED lighting, and low-volatile-organic-compound paints, and residents are educated on efficient thermostat use and waste reduction. These features, combined with a 190-kilowatt rooftop solar system and a centralized heat pump water heater, help residents save 40%–50% on utility bills compared to a conventionally-built property. A rain catchment cistern provides water for irrigation, further reducing costs.