Every year, we come back from industry events like the Sunbelt Builders Show with a fresh list of what’s changing in the world of Central Texas custom homes. Whether you’re building with us in Liberty Hill or Georgetown, have a renovation in Lake Travis or Lakeway, or property for us to build on in Marble Falls, Burnet, and Lampasas, we’ve landed on a list of things we love for 2026.

Building standards evolve every year across the industry. Part of our job is to identify what’s worth including in your custom home, whether it’s a new standard feature or an additional option.

Built into every Jace & Bowen Custom Builders home

Manual J load calculations and sealed ductwork

We Build every Jace & Bowen custom home using a Manual J load calculation to size the HVAC system correctly. This has been part of our standard building process, not a new addition. We focus on this practice here because we make a commitment to educating our homeowners about the energy efficiency of their home.

Manual J is the residential HVAC sizing standard published by the ACCA and recognized by building codes nationwide. It calculates your home’s heating and cooling needs room by room. The calculation considers square footage, insulation, window placement, orientation, and more. This helps us select the right system size instead of relying on a guess. An incorrectly sized HVAC system can cause serious problems. Oversized systems cycle on and off too often, wear out faster, and struggle to control humidity. We all know is a deal-breaker in the Texas Hill Country! The right size system can cut energy use by as much as 15%.

Duct sealing matters just as much. In a traditional vented attic, unsealed ducts can lose 15-30% of your heated or cooled air before it ever reaches a vent. Every attic gets spray foam so our ductwork is inside the home’s conditioned envelope. As a result, any minor leaks stay within the conditioned space instead of escaping into a hot attic. This greatly reduces their impact. Even so, we thoroughly seal all ductwork to improve efficiency, comfort, and system performance.

Carrier HVAC systems

We typically install Carrier systems as our standard HVAC equipment. It’s a brand we trust to hold up to Texas summers and pair well with the Manual J sizing every home gets. The end result is a system that matches your house and built on equipment with a strong reliability track record.

Smart thermostats and zoning

We provide smart thermostats for all of our homes. For homeowners who want more control room to room, we can set it up for zoning. If parts of your home runs warmer or cooler than the rest, zoning lets you manage that space on its own. We don’t typically set your thermostat to zone right off the bat, but let us know if that would be something you’d like for us to do.

Hose-bib shut-off valve

Every new Jace & Bowen home includes a dedicated hose-bib shut-off valve as a standard feature, at no added cost to you.

A hose-bib shut-off valve lets you isolate and drain the water line running to an exterior spigot without cutting off water to the rest of your house. We know how the weather can be in Central Texas these days. A hard freeze isn’t a once-a-decade event anymore. Winter Storm Uri in February 2021 alone generated more than 500,000 insurance claims and an estimated $10.3 billion in damages statewide, with burst pipes driving a large share of that total. Fort Worth crews responded to 719 water main breaks in just over two weeks during that same storm, more breaks than the city saw in all of 2020 combined. Less than three years later, the January 2024 arctic blast sent Austin Water crews out to dozens of new leaks across the city, and Fort Worth crews were back out for another 20-plus water main breaks. We know you’re thinking, “okay, and so?”

Most of that damage traces back to a line that was never isolated before the cold hit, often the one running to an exterior hose bib. The usual advice, disconnect your hoses, wrap the spigot in an insulated cover, or let it drip overnight, absolutely helps reduce the risk, but none of it isolates the line the way a dedicated shut-off valve does. Additionally, if you missed going to the store to buy an insulated cover…you would be scrambling! Before a freeze, use this valve to shut off and drain only that line. Turn it back on once temperatures rise. You won’t need a plumber or have to search multiple stores for hose bib covers. It also protects the rest of your plumbing system.

If your home doesn’t have this feature, it is a straightforward retrofit and among the more affordable upgrades a homeowner can make. Ask us about it if you are interested!

Watch Michael show where we install this valve during framing. He filmed this at one of our current builds in Rolling Hills Reserve in Lampasas, Texas.

Whole-home water shut-off valve

Every new Jace & Bowen home also includes a standard whole-home water shut-off valve, a manual master valve that lets you cut water to the entire house from one place.

This is a separate feature from the hose-bib valve. Where the hose-bib valve isolates just the exterior spigot line, the whole-home valve gives you one clear point to shut off water to the entire house, whether you’re leaving for an extended trip, dealing with a plumbing issue, or just want a fast way to stop water in an emergency. Plumbers and insurers consistently point to the same problem: most homeowners don’t actually know where their main shut-off is until they’re standing in an active leak trying to find it. Having it in a known, accessible spot before you ever need it is what we aim to provide you in your new home.

Options you can choose to add

Aprilaire whole-home dehumidifiers

Aprilaire’s whole-home systems (models like the E070, E100, and E130) integrate directly with your existing ductwork and remove between 70 and 130 pints of moisture from the air per day, depending on the model and your home’s square footage. Controlling humidity does more than improve comfort. It helps prevent mold, mildew, and dust mites from thriving in damp conditions. It also protects wood floors, cabinetry, and trim from warping while reducing strain on your air conditioner. Aprilaire’s high-capacity units are ENERGY STAR Most Efficient rated, made in the USA, and backed by a 5-year warranty.

This is an add-on option, not a standard inclusion, so it’s entirely your call whether it fits your priorities or budget.

HERS ratings

A HERS rating, by RESNET (the Residential Energy Services Network), is a third-party verified score of how energy efficient your home is compared to a standard new build. The scale works in reverse of what you might expect. A score of 100 represents a home that meets current minimum code requirements. Every point below 100 shows measurable energy savings. For example, a HERS score of 70 indicates roughly 30% greater energy efficiency than a standard new home. A score below 50 indicates a highly efficient home.

A HERS rating requires a certified third-party rater. The rater tests and verifies your home’s actual performance, not just its design on paper. We can include this independent efficiency verification in your project if it matters to you. If you think you may sell your home, having a HERS rating could be very beneficial for buyers to see!

Dark Sky compliant lighting

If you’re building with us in Liberty Hill, your exterior lighting needs to meet specific standards, not just look good. Liberty Hill is a certified International Dark Sky Community, one of a small but growing number in Texas since Dripping Springs became the state’s first community back in 2014, and the designation comes with lighting rules and city ordinances. Other Dark Sky communities where you may consider buying include Jonestown, Blanco, Horseshoe Bay, and Wimberley.

Dark Sky compliant fixtures are fully shielded, meaning the light source is fully screened so no light is emitted above the horizontal plane of the fixture, and they use warmer color temperatures, generally 3000 Kelvin or lower, instead of the cooler blue-white light common in standard outdoor fixtures. We can design and spec a full exterior lighting package that meets your community’s dark sky ordinance without sacrificing curb appeal.

ScreenEze screened outdoor living spaces

For homeowners who want to use their outdoor space without fighting mosquitoes, ScreenEze is an option worth considering for porches, patios, and outdoor living areas (we’re looking at you lake houses near Lake Travis and Marble Falls).

It’s a no-staple, no-spline screening system from an aluminum base and vinyl cap that snap together, with the screen mesh pulled taut automatically as it’s installed, so it resists sagging over time far better than a traditional screen.

Panels can cover up to 150 square feet each, the system is available in multiple finishes to match your home’s exterior, and it comes backed by a 10-year limited warranty. If a screened-in porch or outdoor living space is part of your vision, this is one of the options we are excited to bring to the table.

Composite decking through Trex

We’re offering Trex composite decking as an option for outdoor living spaces. It’s a composite alternative to traditional wood decking. It stands up to Hill Country sun and humidity without warping, splintering, or repeated refinishing. Outdoor living matters to most Hill Country homeowners. If it’s a priority for your build, let’s explore this option during the design and budgeting meeting!

Wood siding and porch ceilings through Gaiennie Lumber

We’re also exploring Gaiennie Lumber for real wood siding and porch ceilings. We’re still evaluating which wood species and finishes hold up best in Hill Country weather. This process is ongoing, but we’re excited about the possibilities. We know this will be a great option for homeowners who want a genuine wood look on their exterior or covered porch. And a bonus! During our conversation with the company at the Sunbelt Builders Conference, the cost surprised us. It compares well to the other products we already offer homeowners. We expect it to become a popular option!

New Andersen window lines

We’re also planning to bring in new Andersen window lines to our design center, giving homeowners more options on performance and style without stepping outside the quality standard. If you’re particular about how your windows perform or how they look from the street, this is one more option on the table.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to add these features to my home?
No. We have always included smart thermostats, Manual J load calculations, sealed ductwork, and Carrier HVAC systems in our homes. Every new Jace & Bowen home now includes hose bib shut-off valves at no extra cost.

Optional efficiency upgrades include the Aprilaire dehumidifier, HERS rating, and Dark Sky lighting package. Other options include ScreenEze, Trex composite decking, Gaiennie wood siding and porch ceilings, and Andersen window upgrades. You can choose the features that best fit your home and budget.

Does my current Jace & Bowen home already have Manual J sizing and sealed ducts?
Yes. This has been standard practice on every home we’ve built, not a new change for 2026.

What is a hose bib shut-off valve and why does it matter in my custom home?
It’s a dedicated valve that lets you shut off and drain the water line to an exterior spigot on its own, without affecting water to the rest of the house. This matters in the Hill Country because hard freezes often cause pipes to burst, especially when an exterior hose bib lacks proper isolation or protection.

Can I add a hose bib shut-off valve to a home I already built with Jace & Bowen?
Yes. You can retrofit it easily and affordably. Reach out and we can discuss the details of installation.

What’s the difference between the hose-bib valve and the whole-home shut-off valve?
The hose bib valve isolates only the exterior spigot line. It lets you winterize before a freeze without affecting water throughout the rest of the house.

The whole-home valve serves as a separate master shut-off. It cuts water to the entire house from one location. Use it during extended trips, plumbing repairs, or emergencies.

How can I protect my outdoor faucets from freezing?
Before a hard freeze, disconnect garden hoses and cover exposed spigots with insulated faucet covers. Letting your taps drip can also reduce the risk of frozen pipes.

A hose bib shut-off valve offers the most complete protection. It lets you isolate and drain the entire exterior line before temperatures drop.

Why does humidity matter so much for Central Texas homes specifically?
Central Texas summers regularly see humidity levels above 60%. Standard air conditioning primarily manages temperature, not moisture. A dedicated whole-home dehumidifier helps control indoor humidity. It can improve comfort while protecting your home from mold and moisture damage.

What is a good HERS score for a new home?
A score of 100 meets current minimum code. A score of 70-80 is roughly 30% more efficient than a standard new home and is often the benchmark for ENERGY STAR certification. Scores below 50 represent highly efficient homes.

Does Liberty Hill have Dark Sky lighting requirements?
Yes. Liberty Hill is a certified International Dark Sky Community. If you’re building there, your exterior lighting plan needs to meet specific fixture and color temperature standards, not just look good from the curb.

Your Custom Home Builder in Liberty Hill and the Texas Hill Country

If you’re building a custom home in Liberty Hill, TX, Lakeway, Marble Falls, Burnet, Lampasas, or another Central Texas community, we can walk you through exactly what’s standard and what’s optional on a Jace & Bowen Custom Builders home.

We are here to help you figure out what makes sense for your home and your budget!