Austin summers, notoriously hot and humid, generate average temperatures in the mid-to-upper 90s, frequently hitting 100 or above, along with humidity levels of 70% to 90%. Robert and Judi George, long-term Austin residents, wanted to build a home that would stand up to the climate and fulfill their lifelong commitment to sustainability.
They chose a heating and cooling system from Trane for their new home, the VISION House Austin, designed by well-known sustainable architects Peter Pfeiffer and Alan Barley of Barley|Pfeiffer Architecture in Austin and built in partnership with Green Builder Media and White Elephant General Contractors in Austin.
“In our new house, we have much more control over the temperature – it’s almost always evenly distributed,” Robert says. “The new system is very efficient and doesn’t even run much. We keep the air conditioning around 78° and to us that’s very comfortable. The humidity is in control, too.”
The Georges, who moved in April from their previous home on an adjacent lot, have the Trane 15 Single-Stage Heat Pump and the Trane XL824 Thermostat in their new home.
“With Austin’s extremely warm summers and mostly mild winters, we decided to install a heat pump to regulate the temperature using the outside air to heat the home in winter and cool it in summer,” says Chelsea Hudson, Product Manager – Ducted Variable & Multi-Speed Outdoor, Residential HVAC, Trane. “Heat pumps act as an air conditioner when it’s hot and a heater when it’s cold outside — making it a versatile product. This is especially beneficial in Austin, where winter heating demands are relatively low, and summers are long and hot, resulting in lower energy bills and consistent comfort.”
“The Trane system cycles on fairly frequently for a few minutes, then automatically shuts off when the temperature reaches the appropriate level,” Judi says. The couple mentioned they don’t notice it turning on and off – just the comfort.
“Because heat pumps move heat instead of generating it by burning fuel, they rely solely on electricity—and as our power grids shift more toward renewable energy, they become an increasingly cleaner choice compared to gas systems,” Hudson says.
Comfort and Quiet
The VISION House Austin was designed in the context of its site to maximize cooling breezes and minimize heat gain, which reduces overall demand on the heating and cooling system. High levels of insulation, a metal roof, and energy efficient windows and doors keep conditioned air indoors and hot summer air – or cold winter breezes – outside. In addition, these features contribute to the comfort and quiet that the Georges experience living in the house.
“The house is so well-insulated that we don’t hear any noise from the road or from the heat pump outside,” Judi says. “The machine itself is very quiet and barely noticeable.”
The Trane smart thermostat regulates the system for smooth operations.
“To make the most of a heat pump’s capabilities, we integrated a smart thermostat system that learns the Georges’ preferences and optimizes system performance,” Hudson says. “This helps maintain efficiency throughout the year—even during Austin’s hottest months—while extending the system’s lifespan and maximizing peak personal comfort.”
Lower Operating Costs and a Green Choice
The Georges installed solar power at their new home, which along with the Trane system and other energy efficient features, means they now own a net zero house that produces as much energy as they use.
“Energy-efficient heat pumps, like the Trane 15 Single-Stage Heat Pump, can help save up to 50% on the Georges’ heating and cooling bills,” Hudson says. “Trane’s XL824 Smart Thermostat will automatically adjust the Georges’ home’s temperature by 8 – 10 degrees while away or sleeping, to ultimately help save up to 10% on their energy bill.”
The Georges earn credits on their utility bill for the solar power they produce.
“The first utility bill we received after we were in the house for less than a month, we earned at $73 credit,” Judi says. “The second month, when we were here full-time and used more energy, we earned a $26 credit. So, we already have more than $100 towards our bill if we use more energy than we produce in one month.”
The Georges talked for years about taking control of their power usage and generating at least as much power as they use.
“We wanted the most efficient system we could get, which is why we chose the Trane heat pump,” Robert says. “We also have a Savant system that shows exactly what our solar input is, our energy use for every item in the house and the state of our battery storage.”
The Georges also have a Trane mini-split system in the back section of the detached garage that Robert uses for his office. He sets the temperature at 75° and it holds steady even though that’s a warmer part of the property.
“Heat pumps are transforming home comfort—they use electricity instead of fuel to both heat and cool your space, delivering impressive energy efficiency and environmental benefits,” Hudson says. “With smart-home integration, they seamlessly adapt to your lifestyle, offering dependable comfort year-round, slashing energy bills, and providing a cleaner, greener way to control your indoor climate.”