Home Technology Options for Builders
Lewis Franke, CCPI, CCPD, CCI, DM Home Entertainment

Technology has taken a great leap forward in the home building industry. This is not only relevant in today’s audio and video systems, but also in the actual home building process with the advances in construction products, methods and standards. This relates to the changes in “green” building standards and in higher energy efficiencies, but also in the ways customers use their homes. With all of these developments, the main focus should be on how to help these customers utilize the current technologies in the home.  

There are many electronic system technologies available to builders that not only helps them interact with the customer more effectively but can differentiate them from other builders in their markets. The real purpose of the builder and Electronic Systems Contractor (ESC) relationship is to be partners in the home building process. This creates a unit of two professionals that can explain to the consumer the intricacies of how the building technologies and the electronic technologies accent one another. Having this type of relationship can help home builders truly separate themselves from the rest of their competition.

Digital sound has advanced when it comes to immersing the client in true surround sound. With the advent and standardization of HDTV in all homes by 2009, this technology is paramount because it will be the minimum benchmark when watching movies or TV. Surround sound places the customer amid multiple speakers and provides the customer with discreet audio sound. This type of audio gives the client the feeling they are inside the movie or show they are watching. Without the proper wiring and infrastructure in place, this experience can be very unsatisfying. DVDs will not be heard the way in which they were recorded. HDTV cannot be experienced in the proper format and computer games are lackluster at best.

Plasmas and LCD TVs are soon to be the minimum ideal for watching TV. Price reductions have increased sales. Placing plasmas and LCD TVs above fireplaces have become the ideal place for these flat panels since it takes up a small footprint and requires less cabinetry material. This technology also has its caveats. Plasmas and LCDs can be heavy and large and must sustained with proper framing or structure support.

Lighting control is very attractive in today’s building market. We are seeing progressive expansions in lighting control and integration into the home market. The benefits for builders to incorporate lighting control into their homes are twofold. It allows the client to interface with the lighting and create personal lighting environments, adding fun to the mix. Energy efficiency is also provided and results in cost savings.

HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) control is another technology that is available to home builders. This technology utilizes and controls current HVAC units by either a simple or exensive interface that programs schedules. The HVAC system is another way to provide enjoyment and reduce energy costs for the customer.

Utilizing strategically placed speakers throughout a home, multi-room audio allows various sources of sound to be heard throughout the entire house. Sources include IPOD, AM/FM/XM Sirius Radio, Satellite TV, and CDs. This technology gives the home owner the option of playing all audio in one room at a time or through the entire house. This functionality gives a lot of flexibility to the home owner, where they can listen together or to their own individual selection of music.

Home servers are where future technologies are quickly moving. Think of it as a central computer that seamlessly distributes information to multiple areas of the home. There are many types of servers - they expand storage size, provide automatic backup and store digital music, photos, video and files. More builders are putting the structured wiring in place that supports these servers and allows for huge amounts of video, audio and entertainment media to be distributed all over the house. This allows for decreased physical use of CDs, DVDs and other video media. You can load and store the information into the server at one time. The information can be recalled at anytime for clean playback on multiple displays.

Home automation is the integration of these technologies by combining them into a simple user interface. This integration allows for these products to be controlled from a single device so the client has one interface to use. By automating the home, the technology can work and function without having to always press a button. The client manages his home more efficiently and gives freedom to live life more simply.

These are just some of the technology options available in the home building market. The most important thing to remember is that these products are here to stay. The home buyer is more and more intrigued, interested and immersed in advances in home technology products. Without the support from the builder and the ESC the client won’t be satisfied. If homes are offered with all technology resources available, clients will have access to cutting edge products available in the industry. This ideal market positioning creates both a name for the builder and ESC, and the best advertising one could ask for – a pleased customer.

Lewis Franke, CCPI, CCPD, CCI has studied Audio, Video, and AV Systems Integration for over 15 years.  He is a CEDIA Certified Installer, Designer and Instructor. He is a Systems Designer specializing in complete systems integration and works with DM Home Entertainment, a custom Electronic Systems Contracting firm located near Dallas. He may be reached at lefranke2000@yahoo.com.

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