The technology of building new construction homes has evolved considerably in the last decade. Rising labor and materials costs plus the desire for environmentally conscious living has provided ample fuel for this evolution.
Builders of homes for the future are embracing some very innovative practices. Builders and developers should keep an eye on these five of the latest trends in home building:
1 Solar energy: More and more of today’s new construction homes are being designed with one or more solar energy devices or systems. Some of these include photovoltaic (PV) roof integrated solar electric power systems, PV windows and solar water heaters.
These generate light, electricity and heat by converting sun into power. Besides being environmentally conscious, such systems can save hundreds and thousands of dollars annually in energy costs.
Other solar energy measures that are gaining popularity include solar pond pumps, pool heaters and outdoor lighting. Even small measures such as these can save home owners money and reduce a home’s carbon footprint.
2 Sheathing systems: Sheathing replaces felt or paper house wrap during the construction phase. When assembled, a house covered with sheathing resembles a cardboard house. It’s almost difficult to believe that it provides better overall moisture protection than traditional house wrap.
It’s also easier to install and less prone to breaches and rot. It can be installed both on walls and roofs. Once installed, walls are finished the same way as with wrap.
3) Insulated concrete forms: They look like hollow foam blocks that a child might play with. However, stacked and filled with concrete, the blocks (made from expanded polystyrene) create astoundingly plumb walls with superior insulation.
The blocks are manufactured from recycled materials. In addition to being highly energy-efficient, insulated concrete forms are also easy to transport and assemble. Most every type of wall covering/finish can be applied directly to the foam once stacked.
4) Geothermal heat pumps: These pumps are central heating and cooling systems which draw heat from or pump heat into the ground. A ground loop system of underground pipes extends below the frost line and pulls heat from the ground to the home in the winter. In the summer, the pipes pull heat from the atmosphere and push it into the ground.
The pipes lead to a furnace unit inside the home. The heated or cooled air is transferred to the furnace. The furnace then distributes the heated/cooled air throughout the house via an ordinary ventilation system.
Most homes with geothermal heat also have back-up gas furnaces for times when geothermal heating may be insufficient. This is common especially in places that experience cold winters.
To increase the efficiency of a geothermal heating system, some home builders combine it with solar heating. This combination is known as a geosolar system. Such a combined system is highly efficient and requires little or no extra help from gas or electricity.
5) Low-energy lighting: Builders of new construction homes are combining two concepts to create low-energy, less wasteful lighting. The first is simple: creative and efficient use of windows.
Windows and skylights are strategically placed in a home to allow in as much natural light as possible. Doing so reduces the need to turn on lights in the house during the day.
Secondly, builders are installing LED lighting instead of incandescent and fluorescent lighting. LED lights are more efficient, use less energy and last longer than regular light bulbs.
LED lighting is sometimes a little more expensive to purchase and install. However, the energy cost savings greatly outweigh the initial investment.
Many new construction home builders are including one or more environmentally conscious “green” features as standards in every home. San Diego, CA’s Scot Sandstrom of New Pointe Communities is one such builder/investor.
Real estate developers like Sandstrom believe this is not only responsible, but the way of the future. In fact, builders predict that changes in building codes will one day dictate some of these measures as mandatory features. Sandstrom and others like him are simply getting a head start on building homes for the future.
Shea Real Estate & Investment Group is a full service real estate company servicing beautiful San Diego, California. Let them help you find your dream home today!
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