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Technology Adds Safety, Convenience, Energy Efficiency
By Lewis Franke, CCPI, CCPD, CCI, DM Home Entertainment
The many technology advances in home safety, convenience, entertainment, energy efficiency, home building processes and more that are available today not only help builders interact with customers more effectively, they help builders differentiate themselves from their competition.
But trying to keep up with and explain these advances to customers can be a bit bewildering. Builders should consider establishing relationships with electronic systems contractors (ESCs) who can help customers better utilize the technologies they choose for their homes.
Home Entertainment
The advances in entertainment-related technology include everything from surround sound and whole-house audio to home theaters and plasma and LCD high-definition television.
Not only is the technology advancing the quality of images and sound people enjoy, it gives builders and home owners the flexibility to put the entertainment technology just about anywhere in the house.
More home owners are placing their flat panel TVs above fireplaces, for instance, because the new technology has a smaller footprint and needs less cabinetry. The same is true for speakers. Home owners and builders can place them throughout the house so music can be played in any room desired — or all of them ― while controlling the music from one location.
Safety, Convenience and Efficiency
Lighting controls are gaining in popularity because they not only provide safety and convenience for home owners, they add drama, fun and energy efficiency, too.
With lighting controls, home owners can create personal lighting environments for when they come home to an empty house, for when they have guests over for dinner or for whatever mood strikes them. Most lighting scenarios can be accomplished at the touch of a button, through preset timing or a command from a cell phone.
HVAC controls are another programmable technology that can help increase energy efficiency while also enabling home owners to enjoy their home environments more.
Home Automation
Home automation helps tie all these technologies together — and home servers are where home automation technology appears to be heading.
Think of home servers as a central computer that seamlessly integrates and distributes information to control the various technologies throughout the house. Not only can home servers store more information than typical desktop and laptop computers so home owners can store their digital music, photos, video and files conveniently, they also can be used to automate and direct all house functions.
The above are only a few of the technology options available in home building today ― and they will continue to evolve and provide more benefits to home owners. By offering technology resources that prospective home owners want, builders can position themselves with some of the best advertising available — a pleased customer.
Lewis Franke, CCPI, CCPD, CCI, is a CEDIA-certified installer, designer and instructor who specializes in complete systems integration. Franke works with DM Home Entertainment, a custom electronic systems contractor in the Dallas area, and has more than 15 years experience with audio, video and AV systems integration. For more information, contact Franke via e-mail.
 Information About Home Technology Available From HTA
The Home Technology Alliance (HTA) is a partnership between NAHB and the Custom Electronic Design Installation Association (CEDIA) that was formed to position the housing industry to effectively meet the growing home buyer demand for home technology and provide maximum return on investment in the new home building and remodeling process.
For more information, visit www.nahb.org/HTA.
 CEDIA: A Source for Experienced ESCs
The Custom Electronic Design Installation Association (CEDIA) is a founding sponsor in the Home Technology Alliance and an international trade association of companies that specialize in designing and installing electronic systems for the home.
CEDIA members are established and insured businesses with bona fide qualifications and experience in this field. CEDIA serves as a source for Electronic Systems Contractors (ESCs).
For more information on CEDIA, visit the association’s Web site at www.cedia.org. To find an ESC, click here.
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