The Future of Custom Home Technology

 |  Filed in Reflections

An interview with DSC President Jerry Meek.

Recently, Jerry gave an interview where he discussed his perspective on the advancement of technology and custom home building. He describes how the Internet of Things (IoT) is changing the way homeowners utilize appliances and renewable energy systems. He also shares how artificial intelligence will become an important feature of future homes.

 

Technology Interview with DSC President Jerry Meek

 

HOW HAS THE INTERNET OF THINGS AFFECTED HOME-BUILDING?

We are starting to see more and more building components within the home come IoT-ready, including appliances, air filtration systems, and of course the typical mobile-accessible HVAC, Audio, Video, and Security components that are popular across all markets due to the relative ease of retrofitting in the HVAC and Security genres.

 

IS THIS JUST SOMETHING FOR CUSTOM HOMES?

Typically new technologies are introduced first to the custom market as they are usually more expensive and it is a smaller test group for feedback on the initial technology. It then trickles into the high-end production homes and then eventually across the entire market.

 

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE OFFERINGS NOW AVAILABLE IN TERMS OF TECHNOLOGY?

If there is electricity going to a device or component within the home, more than likely it can be controlled and/or monitored already either over the local network or if enabled through the home’s firewall, anywhere in the world. This holds true for appliances, security, mechanical equipment, etc.

In terms of renewable energy technologies, solar electric arrays are being used as well as geothermal HVAC systems. One such example of a DSC home that was built using a geothermal energy system is a project we named “Chateau Azure.” More about this particular home and the geothermal technologies incorporated into its design and build can read in our interview with the AZ Republic titled “Going Geothermal.”

In terms of security, there are a variety of standards available through biometrics, depending on what level of security the homeowner desires.

 

HOW ABOUT IN THE FUTURE? WHAT DO YOU SEE?

With the advancement of supercomputing, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence, it won’t be long before homes come equipped with an embedded digital assistant similar to Apple’s Siri or Microsoft’s Cortana.

What is also around the corner are Wi-Fi-ready notification devices similar to Amazon’s Dash Button that will allow for ease of notification to building managers of various components within the home requiring service, or integrated technology of a similar type that automatically alerts service and maintenance professionals of a potential problem even before the homeowner is aware that there is a problem.

 

WHAT HAS DSC ACCOMPLISHED TO SUPPORT THE TECHNOLOGY EVOLUTION IN CUSTOM HOME BUILDING?

As a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and the first custom home builder in Arizona to employ a LEED for Homes Accredited Professional certification, Desert Star Construction ensures the highest standard of sustainable living through a lasting commitment to leading edge technology systems and green construction. In doing so, DSC has successfully completed 17 LEED certified and 3 Net-Zero Energy projects, paving the way for homeowners and business owners to live more sustainably while receiving the benefits from using energy-saving technology.

In addition, DSC has developed its own proprietary mobile application, offering a diverse range of real-time solutions that allow our clients and team to access all the information of a project 24/7 anywhere in the world with a compatible interface and Wi-Fi connection.