Homebuyer Glossary

Energy Efficiency

Get familiar with energy-efficient home features and other systems built into new Meritage Homes.

Advanced framing
A system of framing techniques based on optimizing building materials to help make walls more energy-efficient and provide more space for high-performance materials like spray foam insulation. By following U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards for advanced framing, homes are better insulated and have reduced thermal bridging, which provides more comfort and less operating costs.*
Read more: apawood.org | energystar.gov

Advanced thermostat
A programmable thermostat that can help improve comfort by automatically maintaining a cozy temperature and reduce energy usage by up to 10%.*
Read more: energy.gov | energystar.gov

Conditioned attics
An unvented attic that has been insulated along the roof line, enabling the conditioning of the air in the attic space along with the rest of the home. Conditioned attics help reduce sources of deterioration from moisture, dust and extreme temperatures, help hold comfortable temperatures in your home and stop temperature-regulated air from escaping.*
Read more: energy.gov

Dual-actuated toilets
A dual-flush toilet uses two buttons or handles to flush different levels of water, letting you decide how much to flush, which saves water while maintaining high performance.*
Read more: epa.gov

ENERGY STAR® certified appliances
Home appliances with superior energy efficiency according to EPA established standards. ENERGY STAR® is a certification established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide standards for smart and energy-efficient design. ENERGY STAR® appliances have gone through rigorous design requirements, testing, and certifications.*
Read more: energystar.gov

ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year for Sustained Excellence
The EPA's highest level of recognition. An award granted to Meritage Homes (and other organizations) in 2016 for its commitment to educating others about the value and benefits of energy efficiency and for building thousands of ENERGY STAR® certified homes.*
Read more: energystar.gov

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Triple Certified Home
A home that has received certification for energy efficiency, indoor air health and water resource conservation (ENERGY STAR® + Indoor airPLUS + Watersense).*
Read more: epa.gov

Flow-smart showerheads
Showerheads that use less water than a standard model. These showerheads can reduce water usage by up to 50%, providing savings on water and energy costs.*
Read more: epa.gov | eartheasy.com

Fresh air management system
Mechanical ventilation systems that circulate fresh air using ducts and fans, rather than relying on airflow through small holes or cracks in a home’s walls, roof, or windows. A fresh air management system helps to keep clean, filtered, fresh air circulating throughout your home.*
Read more: energystar.gov

Home Energy Rating System (HERS)
The industry standard for measuring a home's energy efficiency, according to the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET®). The lower the HERS score, the more energy efficient the home.*
Read more: resnet.us

Indoor airPLUS certification
A voluntary partnership and labeling program established by the EPA to help builders improve indoor air quality by requiring construction practices and product specifications that minimize airborne pollutants and contaminants. Meritage offers Indoor airPLUS certification as an option.*
Read more: epa.gov

Low-E windows
High-performance windows that deflect up to 70% of the sun’s heat and reduce condensation. Low-E windows also reduce temperature transference so you can read by the window year-round.*
Read more: energy.gov | windows.lbl.gov

Low to zero VOC materials, paints, stains and adhesives
Low-emitting paints, glues, varnishes, and other materials that meet EPA standards for low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC).*
Read more: epa.gov

MERV 13 HVAC filtration
A higher-efficiency HVAC filter measured by Minimum Efficiency Rating Values (MERV). Improves air quality and reduces allergens.*
Read more: epa.gov

Multispeed HVAC
An HVAC system that can operate at multiple speeds, improving efficiency, comfort, and air quality while lowering energy costs.*
Read more: carrier.com

NET ZERO Home
Homes designed to produce as much energy as they use annually. Meritage Homes is the first major-size builder to offer net-zero homes, reducing operating costs.*
Read more: bizjournals.com | usatoday.com

Remote home management
Allows you to use your mobile device to access and control your home systems remotely.
Read more: nexiahome.com

Sealed insulated ducts
Sealed ducts help HVAC systems maintain temperature, reduce dust, and lower energy costs by minimizing air leaks.*
Read more: energystar.gov

SEER 14 HVAC
A highly efficient HVAC system that reduces humidity and maximizes comfort at less cost. Offered as an option by Meritage.*
Read more: energy.gov

SEER 16 HVAC
An advanced system with variable drive technology to adjust for mild or warm days, lowering energy use and increasing comfort.*

Spray foam insulation
Spray-applied plastic forming a continuous insulation and air barrier on walls, roofs, and corners. Reduces air loss, noise, pests, and allergens while improving comfort.*
Read more: whysprayfoam.org

Solar energy system
Uses solar panels to convert sunlight into usable energy, reducing operating costs and potentially achieving Zero Net Energy.* Meritage offers this as an option.

Thermal breaks
Insulating barriers between the inside and outside of your home that help create a consistent temperature and lower HVAC costs.*
Read more: ecohome.net

Water-efficient faucets
Fixtures that help reduce water use and save on bills while maintaining pressure and performance.*
Read more: epa.gov

WaterSense certification
EPA’s WaterSense certification ensures a home’s indoor and landscape water usage meets or exceeds efficiency standards.* Meritage offers this as an option.

Whole-home water filtration
A system that filters out harmful contaminants that can impact your food, body, and laundry.* Meritage offers this as an option.

Home Construction

Knowing the language of homebuilding can help you better understand your new home’s structure, materials, and features.

AFCI
An Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) receptacle is designed to help prevent electrical fires that can be caused by potentially dangerous arc-faults in an electrical circuit. Arcing can create high-intensity heat which can lead to fires. An AFCI will detect any arcing and shut down the outlet before any damage can be done.

Caulking
Caulking, also known as sealant, is applied to areas that need sealing to keep moisture or air out. Expect to see caulking in areas like bathtubs, showers, sinks, paint joints, windows, doors, siding and roofing. Caulk varies depending on exposure, location and material to which it’s applied.

Culvert
A small round plastic or metal pipe that channels water underneath a part of the home site. For example, a culvert can be used to allow water to pass underneath the driveway during a rainstorm.

Downspout
A vertical pipe installed to take rainwater from the roof gutter down to the landscaping. Downspouts are typically made of the same material as the gutter but may be a different shape or color.

Drywall
Drywall, also known as sheetrock or plasterboard, is a wallboard that’s attached to wall framing to make up the walls and ceilings in your home.
Different types of drywall will be installed in your house depending on the area:

• Home and garage plasterboards that meet fire code
• “Green” board used in areas subject to moisture, like bathrooms.

Electrical trim
During this portion of the build, the final work is performed by a licensed electrician to make everything “hot.” That’s code for activating electrical fixtures and installing items like plugs, switches, smoke detectors, light fixtures, light bulbs and the doorbell chime. At this point, your electrical panel is also hooked up and breakers are labeled.

Framing
Framing is when your home begins to take shape through structural components that make up the floor, roof and walls. This includes studs, wooden or steel beams, headers and joists. The roof framing is made up of manufactured wood roof trusses, and floor systems are created with manufactured wood joists or floor trusses.

Foundation
Foundation is the system on which your home sits. There are three types of conventional concrete foundations: poured concrete, concrete block and post-and-pier. Concrete foundations are typically reinforced with steel cables, bars, and/or mesh to add strength. Framing is secured to the home’s foundation with structural steel hold-downs.

GFCI or GFI
A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) electrical “plug” found in areas that might come in contact with moisture, like kitchens, baths, garages and outdoor areas. If the plug or a plugged-in appliance comes in contact with water, a GFCI “cuts” current to protect against electrical shock. The GFCI reset also allows homeowners to reset the circuit if it’s interrupted.

HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning)
The mechanical systems inside your home designed to provide comfort and control air quality.* Every Meritage Home is ENERGY STAR® certified, meaning the HVAC systems are designed and tested to optimize performance and meet strict quality standards.

Plumbing trim
Final plumbing work performed by a licensed plumber to make all fixtures active, including sinks, faucets, shower heads, toilets, water heaters, hose bibs and gas furnaces.

Swales
An open drainage channel that carries rainwater away from the home’s foundation to prevent flooding.

Home Financing

Understanding key mortgage and financing terms can make your homebuying experience smoother and help you make confident decisions.

Adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM)
A mortgage whose interest rate changes periodically based on the changes in a specified index.

Amortization
The repayment of a mortgage loan by installments with regular payments to cover principal and interest.

Amortization term
The amount of time required to amortize the mortgage loan. The amortization term is expressed as a number of months. For example, for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, the amortization term is 360 months.

Back-end ratio
This ratio shows what portion of your income is needed to cover your monthly debt obligations, including credit card bills, car loans, student loans, child support, and any other debt that shows up on your credit report and requires monthly payments.

Closing
The final step in purchasing your home, the closing day (also known as Settlement) is when ownership of the home is officially transferred to you, the buyer. Your mortgage loan is funded, you’ve signed mortgage documents and paid any closing costs at this point.

Consumer reporting agency (or bureau)
An organization that prepares reports that are used by lenders to determine a potential borrower's credit history. The agency gets the info for these reports from a credit repository and other sources.

Debt-to-income ratio (DTI)
A comparison of your housing expenses, your monthly debt obligations and how much you earn. Lenders look at two types of debt-to-income ratios when you apply for a mortgage: the front-end ratio and back-end ratio.

Discount points
A form of prepaid interest or fees mortgage borrowers can purchase to lower the amount of interest they have to pay on subsequent payments. Each discount point costs about 1% of the total loan amount and can lower interest from 0.13% to 0.25%.

Earnest money deposit
A deposit made to the seller by the potential home buyer to show that he or she is serious about buying the house.

Front-end ratio
Also called the housing ratio, a calculation of your total monthly housing expenses divided by your income. The front-end ratio shows what percentage of your income would go toward your housing expenses, including your monthly mortgage payment, real estate taxes, homeowner's insurance and association dues.

Hazard insurance
Insurance protecting against loss to real estate caused by fire, natural causes, vandalism, etc., depending on the terms of your policy.

Housing ratio
The ratio of total monthly housing payment (PITI — Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance) divided by gross monthly income. Also called the front-end ratio.

Impound account
Also known as an escrow account, set up by your lender to pay property-related expenses like taxes and insurance. Your lender collects funds monthly and makes payments when due.

Loan to value ratio (LTV)
The ratio of the loan amount to the appraised value of the home. A higher LTV indicates a riskier loan; a lower LTV may make approval easier.

Plumbing trim
Final plumbing work performed by a licensed plumber to make all fixtures active, including sinks, faucets, shower heads, toilets, water heaters, hose bibs and gas furnaces.

Qualifying ratios
Ratios used to determine how much you can afford to borrow. Compares fixed monthly expenses to gross monthly income for loan approval.

Underwriting
The lender’s process for evaluating whether to approve a borrower for a loan, assessing credit, capacity, and collateral.