If you’ve ever considered building your very own custom home, it’s likely you have come across the terms, “smart” & “green”. What do these terms really mean? Does this type of build really contribute in a positive way? What factors go into creating a custom build that includes one or both of these elements? The team at Arbus Mountain Homes wants to help you understand your choices and play an integral role in making your mountain town dream home a reality.
If you are currently in the market to design and construct a custom home, you likely recognize that you have a unique opportunity in choosing to custom build. What’s more, the variety of ever-evolving technology and earth-conscious processes being integrated at every stage of development shows no signs of slowing. Thankfully, at Arbus Mountain Homes, we pride ourselves on keeping our finger on the pulse of new technology and environmentally-conscious processes, while remaining sensitive to your specific needs and wants, as they relate to your current, and future, lifestyle.
What Is A "Smart" Home?
Nearly every aspect of life where technology has entered the domestic space (lightbulbs, dishwashers, etc.) has seen the introduction of a smart home alternative: smart lights, smart thermostats, smart speakers, smart security, smart kitchens; the possibilities are seemingly infinite. All of these devices, ideally connect to a central hub that helps them communicate with each other and with you, via your smartphone.
Choosing to build “smart” can produce a number of results:
Integrated building systems = helping your home act and react seamlessly whether you are home or away.
Implemented smart power system = active environmental impact reduction; supporting your community and planet.
Optimized for an intelligent future = a home that is equipped to keep up with technology, no matter how quickly it evolves.
If you are interested in the investment of a smart home, particularly one that works off of one single interface, it’s critical that you take the time to ensure that all your chosen smart devices will work with the most common hubs.
How Can My Build Go “Green”?
With an increasing awareness of the impact that all industries, groups and individuals continue to have on the environment, focusing on “green” building is a cornerstone element for Arbus Mountain Homes.
We actively play our part in tackling climate change and reducing the depletion of natural resources. While high-end options can help with efficiency, other measures such as waste diversion and non-toxic building materials are also critical in reducing environmental impact and safeguarding homeowner health.
Some of the areas to consider when designing and outlining your build, are:
Building envelope/ footprint size
Heating and insulation options
Energy source(s)
Waste Diversion
Material selection
For our projects, we continue to create a close working relationship with you and your chosen environmental focuses in order to develop options. One most recent example, 17 MacDonald Place, integrated features with both “green” and “smart” options:
Smart Features:
Control 4 home automation
Wifi-enabled thermostats, alarm systems, door locks and doorbells
Green Features:
Solar panels
Tight building envelope
Designs to maximize solar gain
Triple glazed coated widows
Spray foam insulation
In-floor heating
Heat Recovery Ventilator (HVR) Systems
Building your dream mountain home is a big decision, but being the company you’ve chosen, means ours is a partnership that will never be taken for granted. Should your ultimate building and design plans include such compatibility with technological and environmental considerations, we can guarantee the selections you make will maximize the value of your home investment well into the future.
Whenever you’re ready to start the conversation, we are here to help.
