Whisper Valley: Green Living in the Austin Area

From innovative green technology to amenities that promote wellness and connection, Whisper Valley is more than just a neighborhood—it’s a lifestyle built around mindful living. Let’s explore what makes this eco-conscious community stand out.

About Whisper Valley

Located 12 miles east of Austin in the city of Manor, Whisper Valley is one of the premier masterplans in the area. The community can be found just off SH-130, allowing residents to enjoy an easy commute to downtown Austin and the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

Surrounding area

With its convenient location in Travis County, Whisper Valley boasts close proximity to a number of restaurants, shops, and entertainment options. Some of the larger employers in Manor and the greater Austin area include Samsung, Google, Applied Materials, Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, H-E-B, Dell Technologies, and Tesla, among others. The community is also near notable higher education schools, such as The University of Texas at Austin and St. Edwards University, as well as the many local grade schools in Travis County

For outdoor recreation, Decker Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, Lake Walter E. Long, East Metropolitan Park, and Big Walnut Creek Nature Preserve are just a few popular options. Other forms of entertainment can be found at Circuit of the Americas racetrack and concert venue, Rodeo Austin, and multiple local golf courses. And, when you’re craving live music, vibrant nightlife, eclectic dining, and historical sites, the endless attractions of downtown Austin are just a short drive away.

Neighborhood amenities

As a master-planned community, Whisper Valley offers an exciting selection of resort-style amenities for residents to enjoy. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the ample trail system, perfect for biking, jogging, or taking a scenic walk. Have a four-legged family member? The expansive dog park is a great place for socializing and exercising your furry best friend! The resort-style pool serves as an ideal escape from the Texas heat, while the clubhouse fitness center offers a convenient way to get in a workout.

Additional amenities include numerous parks and playgrounds, as well as an onsite garden where you can volunteer to help grow fresh, organic produce. These community perks make it easy to relax, exercise, gather with friends and family, and connect with your neighbors.

Green features

Perhaps the most notable aspect of the Whisper Valley community is its use of EcoSmart Solution (ESS), a comprehensive program that leverages green technology to help create more sustainable and energy efficient homes. But what exactly does this look like for our houses at Whisper Valley?

GeoGrid™ technology

At the core of this sustainability effort is the GeoGrid,™ a network of underground piping that runs through the entire community and uses the earth’s natural thermal energy. Each home is equipped with a geothermal heat pump connected to this system, replacing traditional HVAC units. The pump efficiently manages heating, cooling, and hot water for the property, and can potentially reduce energy consumption in homes by up to 80%.

The EcoSmart website provides additional information on how the GeoGrid™ works (and why it’s such an innovative system!). 

Solar power systems

All homes in the neighborhood come with solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. These systems harness the sun’s power to generate clean, renewable electricity, reducing the community’s dependence on fossil fuels. As an added bonus, solar panels can substantially decrease your monthly electricity bills, offering both environmental and financial returns.

Energy efficient appliances

Inside each home, you’ll find a suite of ENERGY STAR®-certified appliances, designed to meet strict requirements for energy efficiency established by the Environmental Protection Agency. These appliances minimize energy usage without sacrificing performance, in turn helping to lower your household’s carbon footprint and operating costs.

Smart technology

With the help of smart home products, your house can work for you, optimizing its energy usage based on your needs and lifestyle. This technology minimizes unnecessary energy consumption and helps control the home’s interior environment.

Electric car chargers

As electric vehicles become more common, Whisper Valley stays ahead of the curve by pre-wiring all homes for Level 2 EV charging stations. This feature not only supports sustainability but may add long-term value to your home by accommodating future technology.

Attractive HERS^® scores

The Home Energy Rating System, or HERS®, was created by RESNET® to be the industry standard for rating home energy efficiency. Many factors go into determining a home’s HERS® rating and the lower the score, the more efficient a home is. While the baseline reference home has a score of 100, the homes at Whisper Valley have an average HERS® rating of 16, meaning they’re approximately 75-85% more efficient than standard homes.

Energy usage monitoring

Through EcoSmart, Whisper Valley homeowners can also receive individualized energy reporting. This allows you to monitor your energy usage and how well your system is performing.

How this can benefit you

These sustainable home features are designed to help the environment by reducing carbon emissions and preventing unnecessary energy waste. According to the masterplan, the EcoSmart Solution program results in as much as 70% less energy consumed per home. But how do they benefit you as the homeowner? The advantages of owning an eco-friendly home at Whisper Valley are plentiful and can include:

• Renewable energy federal tax credits. You may have the opportunity to take advantage of a 30% tax credit on the value of your home’s solar and geothermal systems. While the total value of the credit will vary depending on the size of the home and the exact specifications of the system, this benefit could help you save a large chunk of change over time. Be sure to consult a tax professional for specifics.

• Lower energy bills. With the help of the geothermal heating and cooling system, along with the solar panels, the homes at this community essentially create their own clean energy. The result, of course, is a much lower energy bill, which in turn puts money back into your pocket. In testimonials, some Whisper Valley homeowners say that their energy bills are “effectively zero” and claim to save as much as $300 each month on these costs.

• High-value systems at a shared cost. The GeoGrid™ is owned by EcoSmart, meaning that they take on the responsibility of monitoring and maintaining the system. Additionally, because the piping is a shared network throughout the entire community, the costs are spread out among all homeowners (making it less expensive on an individual level).

• Longer lifespans. The geothermal system has a longer lifespan than traditional heat pumps, lasting up to 25 years. Additionally, because the geothermal heat pump is indoors, it’s less likely to be damaged by the elements.

• Improved comfort. Through smart home technology and a reliable heating/cooling system, the homes at Whisper Valley can effectively maintain a comfortable environment. As one homeowner stated,“My house is consistently the same temperature. I don’t feel like I need to play with the thermostat, because I’m comfortable in the home.”

• Better resale value. According to Zillow®, solar panels increase a home’s value by an average of 4.1% across the U.S. Additionally, the long-lasting geothermal heat pump could make your home more attractive to potential buyers down the line, especially if they know they likely won’t need to replace it any time soon. With a growing demand for energy-efficient homes, more and more buyers are seeking options with sustainable features.

Available homes

If you’re considering making Whisper Valley your home, Richmond American Homes offers a variety of floor plans designed to suit different lifestyles and family sizes. Current offerings include the single-story Agate, the two-story Moonstone, and the two-story Elderberry floor plans. Listings here range in size from approximately 2,380 to 2,560 sq. ft. and boast as many as five bedrooms and three bathrooms. Exciting features such as private studies, main-floor primary suites, quartz kitchen countertops, and 3-car garages are also available on some homes!

Each home showcases a stunning array of fixtures and finishes, all thoughtfully curated by our team of professional design experts. These designers make their selections based on cohesiveness, practicality, and timeless elegance, resulting in a home that’s as beautiful as it is functional. All that’s left is for you to add your own personal touch with furniture, artwork, and more!

The Whisper Valley difference

Whisper Valley offers not only beautiful houses, but also a lifestyle that reflects eco-conscious values, supports healthy living, and fosters connection with others. This exciting neighborhood is truly somewhere you can be proud to call home. Sustainable houses, attractive cost savings, plentiful amenities, and a central location—what’s not to love?

Ready to enjoy green living at Whisper Valley? Shop our available homes today or call 888.799.8322  to chat with a New Home Specialist and schedule a tour.

Additionally, check out our blog for more articles on sustainable homes.