Whether for their own convenience or to increase the value of their property, homeowners are in the market for green technologies.
Sustainability, once a buzzword in the modern economy, has now become a necessity for attracting and retaining eco-conscious customers. This is especially evident in the real estate sector, where more homebuyers and homeowners are demanding green solutions for residential systems that improve energy efficiency and deliver monetary savings on utilities.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, electricity and heat production account for 34% of global greenhouse gas emissions1. Many residential systems companies are stepping up to the challenge posed by climate change and are adapting their technology to reduce energy consumption. Motorized shading systems, in particular, are one example of how products and technologies contribute greatly to energy efficiency.
According to a survey, 63% of real estate brokers and agents said promoting energy efficiency in their listings had been valuable, with nearly half stating that consumers had some degree of interest in sustainability4.
Here are a few ways home systems and automation can help make living spaces more sustainable now and in the future.
Embracing a Green Mindset
There is a common misconception that green infrastructure and technology are more expensive. Residential builders and systems manufacturers may simply feel less inclined to invest in green technologies because of the perceived low return on investment.
Green infrastructure indeed has a higher upfront cost2, but there are multiple long-term benefits to the investment that subsume those initial prices. Sustainable homes that are rated for energy efficiency sell for 3% more than homes without energy efficiency ratings3. Sustainable homes also have more energy-efficient systems in place, making them attractive to prospective environment-conscious homeowners.
With rising global warming and higher demand for sustainable homes, there is little reason not to go green when building residential systems, especially since future customers are expecting more environmentally friendly housing.
Smart Home Energy Savings
Solar energy is becoming a popular method of energy savings, with solar panels reducing annual utility bills by an average of $1500 for homeowners5. For developers and manufacturers concerned about the cost of solar panel installation, homes with solar panels tend to have higher values6.
LED lighting is another energy-saving solution homeowners will appreciate. LEDs use up to 90% less energy and last longer than traditional bulbs7, crucial factors for attracting customers during a global cost-of-living crisis.
Smart systems in homes are another helpful tool to address energy-efficiency needs. Systems such as motorized window blinds and shades, automated thermostats, smart lights, and cameras can make apartments and houses greener by adapting to both changing environments as well as homeowner habits, lowering power consumption as a result.
Motorized interior shades are not only easier to use while offering controlled comfort for residents, but they can also be programmed to react to external conditions and adjust accordingly. Equipping residences with automated shades allows for the optimization of heating and cooling, as well as power conservation during daylight hours. Instead of driving up energy bills by over-utilizing the air conditioner in an overheated home, homeowners can program their blinds to close while they’re out of the house, resulting in a more efficient home.
Manufacturing with Sustainable Materials
It is clear that homeowners are becoming more environmentally conscious. They want a sustainable home that will help them save on energy costs, but green-minded homebuyers also find pride in having homes that are equipped with eco-designed products. There is a growing expectation that the products within their homes will be made from sustainable materials.
Sustainability needs to be part of every step of a residential system, from manufacturing products to recycling parts. Using eco-friendly materials doesn’t limit the types of products developers can install in homes. In fact, coverings for windows, exteriors, and lights, can all be made from eco-friendly materials such as bamboo, straw, cork, or reclaimed wood and glass.
Companies are also taking sustainable development initiatives, such as Somfy’s Act for Green, which promotes the effort to utilize sustainable manufacturing practices that control the materials used for assembly and packaging. The Act for Green denotation specifically signifies that the product has undergone assessment to ensure that it has minimal environmental impact, including conforming to health regulations and making use of eco-friendly materials free from harmful substances. Likewise, organizations around the globe are developing similar programs to facilitate the development of sustainable products.
Developers should prioritize partnering with systems manufacturers who are LEED-certified and aligned with green initiatives. This will help in choosing eco-friendly products for residences that have minimal environmental impact and high compliance with environmental and health regulations.
Adopting Sustainable Technologies
Technological innovations are an important part of sustainable initiatives. Real estate developers and systems manufacturers should be ready to adapt to changing technologies, especially when they improve the sustainability of homes.
Many smart home technologies offer presets, timers, sensors, and programmable scenarios that help maintain energy efficiency within the home and promote sustainable practices. All these features can also be automated, allowing homeowners to get increased sustainability without manual effort. Smart home technologies can also be used to improve the security of homes, which is another attractive prospect for homebuyers.
Residential systems manufacturers have been designing smart products that connect to the Internet of Things, creating a consistent network and language among multiple devices within homes. Artificial intelligence further simplifies how homeowners can control their numerous smart devices, ensuring a user-friendly experience as well as better functionality and convenience. With enhanced IoT and AI integrations, homeowners are seeing the collaboration of products across their network that enhance their home’s capabilities to improve comfort and energy efficiency.
However, ensuring that the devices used in homes have a long life is crucial. A residence may not be considered sustainable if the products within need to be replaced often.
Sustainable Homes Can Be Beautiful
There is sometimes a concern that building from sustainable materials will make a home less attractive. Some might feel that seeing solar panels on rooftops is less than aesthetically pleasing. But homebuyers who are already interested in sustainability have little care for aesthetics8. Renewable energy and green practices are far more important to them.
Utilizing products such as sustainable window shading systems can also add to the beauty of a home. Colorful and patterned shades or drapes can be controlled through apps and automation, adding a pop of color to the room while also managing the amount of heat and sunlight flowing into the home.
A sustainable mindset is integral to the future of real estate, from the development of buildings to the creation and maintenance of the systems contained within homes. While the price of sustainable materials may seem daunting, the long-term benefits outweigh the initial costs. More importantly, sustainability is a current demand from homebuyers. Adding sustainable initiatives in listings will attract and retain more environmentally conscious buyers in the near and far future.
Source: residentialsystems.com
