BUILT TO SAVE® is a voluntary, energy efficiency certification program that identifies new homes built to outperform similar homes built only to minimum building code requirements. BUILT TO SAVE® certified homes are inspected and tested by an independent third-party RESNET certified energy rater and are guaranteed by the rater to have met the strict requirements of the program.
✅ LOWER UTILITIES ✅BETTER AIR QUALITY ✅MORE COMFORT
✅MORE DURABILITY ✅QUALITY CONSTRUCTION ✅HIGHER MARKET VALUE
How Built to Save® Certification Works
Every Built to Save® certified home earns a HERS score of 63 or lower — measured by a RESNET-certified independent rater, not the builder. That score means the home uses at least 37% less energy than a home built to minimum Texas code. Lower energy use translates directly to lower monthly utility bills for every homeowner in the Rio Grande Valley.
Two inspections confirm each home’s performance: one before drywall goes up and one at final completion. Read how energy efficient home certification in Texas works from application to certification.
BUILT TO SAVE® high-performance home requirements are designed to ensure that the home’s construction provides energy efficiency and quality that will be superior to homes built only to minimum code requirements.
A home that receives a BUILT TO SAVE® certificate has been modeled,inspected, and tested by an independent licensed home energy Rater to verify that the home has complied with the requirements of the program.
Third-Party Verified High-Performance Homes
Don’t settle for someone’s word that your home is energy efficient.
Ask your builder to certify your home in the BUILT TO SAVE® program and enjoy MORE of what you want and LESS of what you don’t want.
MORE
- Indoor Comfort
- Indoor Air Quality
- Whole-House Energy Efficiency
- Savings on Utilities
- Efficient, Long-Lifespan Lighting
- Quality Construction
- Enhanced Pest Control
- Lasting Peace of Mind
- Excellent Resale Value
- Superior Homebuyer Satisfaction
LESS
- Fees on Utilities
- Indoor Humidity
- Need for Repairs
- Maintenance Costs
- Air Leakage Out & In
- Outdoor Contaminants & Pests
- Moisture & Mold Problems
- Doubt of Superior Construction
- Worry About Improper Insulation
- Time on the Resale Market
How Built to Save® Compares to Other Programs
Homebuyers in South Texas often encounter several energy efficiency labels — ENERGY STAR®, DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes, and Built to Save®. These programs differ in their standards, inspection requirements, and the utilities that back them. See how Built to Save® compares to ENERGY STAR® and DOE side by side before you start shopping.
Built to Save® is the only certification backed by Magic Valley Electric Cooperative (MVEC) and designed for the South Texas climate. That local focus means the standards account for the heat load, humidity, and utility rates RGV homeowners actually face.
Already bought or considering a home? Search the database of certified homes to verify any home’s certification status by address.
Energy-Efficient New Homes in the Rio Grande Valley
Built to Save® certified builders are active across the RGV — from McAllen and Edinburg to Mission, Pharr, Brownsville, and beyond. Browse energy efficient new homes in the Rio Grande Valley to find certified communities and builders near you, with city-level guides covering what to expect in each market.
Ask at the sales office: Does this home have a Built to Save® certificate? What is the HERS score? A certified home will have both answers in writing.
The 2026 Market Leaders in Energy Efficiency Construction
Meet the builders leading the industry in building superior homes that outperform homes built to minimum code.
The BUILT TO SAVE® program promotes builders who construct homes that use less energy, provide more comfort, durability, and better indoor air quality. The program also provides generous cash incentives from Magic Valley Electric Cooperative (MVEC) for homes in MVEC territory to offset the cost of inspections. Click below to join.
Built to Save® builders gain access to MVEC rebates, the federal 45L tax credit, and a verified certification that homebuyers request by name.
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