As we rapidly approach 2017, it's hard not to notice the increased use of green-friendly building materials and features in the luxury custom home market. When reflecting on how today's green-friendly home has evolved in recent years, a few notable thoughts came to mind.
Tesla Introduces the Powerwall Battery
In 2015, Elon Musk and his team at Tesla's new Powerwall shook up the green-friendly luxury custom home market with its revolutionary battery for residential or commercial use. This battery has since been enhanced to become what is now known as Powerwall 2, which is capable of powering a 2-bedroom home for an entire day. This battery uses the sun's energy to deliver a clean and reliable energy source to homes, even when the sun is not shining.
Tesla Announces the Solar Roof
In late October of this year, Tesla announced yet another way that it will be offering green-friendly solutions to today's homes: the solar roof. While these roof tiles look very similar to ordinary shingles, they are actually made of textured glass. As a result, light is able to pass from above onto a flat solar cell. This tempered glass material is said to be "tough as steel" and offer the capability of weathering the harshest of conditions. In cooler climates that experience snowy weather, heating elements can be incorporated to melt snow off of the roof.
Home Automation Becomes Even Greener
We've talked about home automation in great depth on our blog, and that will certainly continue to play a big role in today's green-friendly luxury custom home. Here are some examples of this that we've seen in 2016:
While these advancements in home automation can cost a pretty penny up front, the long-term savings in regards to cost and energy usage can make the investment worthwhile. It's certainly evident that there is a demand for the green-friendly benefits that home automation offers, and this is especially true in the luxury custom home market.
As this year comes to a close, it's hard to imagine what the years ahead will bring in regards to the green-friendly luxury custom home. Understanding that this is a topic that is important to our clients, our team at Empire Custom Builders will continue to stay on top of these trends so that our clients not only have the home of their dreams, but also a home that meets the demands of the 21st century.
Please contact us at Empire Custom Builders to learn more about green-friendly home design and what the latest trends and features entail.
In 2015, Elon Musk and his team at Tesla's new Powerwall shook up the green-friendly luxury custom home market with its revolutionary battery for residential or commercial use. This battery has since been enhanced to become what is now known as Powerwall 2, which is capable of powering a 2-bedroom home for an entire day. This battery uses the sun's energy to deliver a clean and reliable energy source to homes, even when the sun is not shining.
Tesla Announces the Solar Roof
In late October of this year, Tesla announced yet another way that it will be offering green-friendly solutions to today's homes: the solar roof. While these roof tiles look very similar to ordinary shingles, they are actually made of textured glass. As a result, light is able to pass from above onto a flat solar cell. This tempered glass material is said to be "tough as steel" and offer the capability of weathering the harshest of conditions. In cooler climates that experience snowy weather, heating elements can be incorporated to melt snow off of the roof.
Home Automation Becomes Even Greener
We've talked about home automation in great depth on our blog, and that will certainly continue to play a big role in today's green-friendly luxury custom home. Here are some examples of this that we've seen in 2016:
- Smart sprinklers that shut off when they sense rain.
- Smart thermostats that automatically move between an "energy saving temperature" when inhabitants are not in the house to a "welcome home temperature."
- Smart lighting systems that can be controlled remotely using a mobile device or simply by the sound of the homeowner's voice.
While these advancements in home automation can cost a pretty penny up front, the long-term savings in regards to cost and energy usage can make the investment worthwhile. It's certainly evident that there is a demand for the green-friendly benefits that home automation offers, and this is especially true in the luxury custom home market.
As this year comes to a close, it's hard to imagine what the years ahead will bring in regards to the green-friendly luxury custom home. Understanding that this is a topic that is important to our clients, our team at Empire Custom Builders will continue to stay on top of these trends so that our clients not only have the home of their dreams, but also a home that meets the demands of the 21st century.
Please contact us at Empire Custom Builders to learn more about green-friendly home design and what the latest trends and features entail.
