Calgary's new-build homes innovate for safer, smarter and greener living

Smart and green technologies recently considered luxuries are becoming increasingly important to Calgary homebuyers, and the city's homebuilders have taken this to heart.

"These are new and convenient options that create comfort and security for homeowners," said Brad Kjemhus, a local REALTOR® and agent with Royal LePage Solutions.

He says several home innovations are becoming more common around the city.

"Some builders offer a 'technology package,' with voice activation through your devices to perform actions like turning off lights as you leave, or monitoring your children or pets in the backyard," he said.

"Programmable and remote-controlled thermostats, doorbell live videos, solar panels on the roof, and electric car charge ports are more common. We're also seeing central 'LaunchPorts' to control temperature, air conditioning, security and audio in multiple rooms throughout the home."

For Jayman Built, home innovation has always been about industry leadership.

"I think this is going to become the new norm in years to come, as these technologies are put into homes by builders as standard packages or are left behind by sellers for incoming buyers." - Brad Kjemhus, Royal LePage Solutions

"In particular, building superior-quality homes with an exceptional customer experience and constantly innovating and reducing our homes' environmental impacts, long before it became top of mind or trendy," said Dave Desormeaux, president and COO of the company.

Where affordability seems to be plateauing with respect to building materials and high-efficiency (HE) systems, technology is fast becoming the piece that takes home performance to the next level.

Desormeaux believes buyers are looking for three key features in new-build homes:

Affordability

"This is about value – the price of the home and value it provides, but also the operating costs to run the home," he said. "These costs add up, and much like taxes, they seldom go down and will continually escalate."

Livability

"This is about the design, comfort and ease of running/maintaining the home," said Desormeaux. "Technology has a big part in this, as millennials and customers generally embrace and expect technology and understand how it helps them live safer, healthier and smarter."

Environmental Impact

"Awareness around this has taken centre stage globally. It is important to a majority of our modern customers," he said.

"This not only includes the materials used to construct the homes, ensuring they are environmentally friendly, but also that they are consuming less gas, electricity and water. This is achieved through superior building materials, HE mechanical rooms and harnessing renewable energy sources."

Kjemhus agrees with Desormeaux that innovation plays a key role in setting newer homes apart and he believes these features will soon become standard options.

"I think this is going to become the new norm in years to come, as these technologies are put into homes by builders as standard packages or are left behind by sellers for incoming buyers," he said.