New Home building has come a long way, and the focus on sustainability, energy efficiency, and smart home technology has led to significant improvements in the quality of homes. These improvements have resulted in homes that are more comfortable, durable, and environmentally friendly than ever before.
Newly built homes in the Greater Regina Area are constructed with advanced materials, techniques, and technologies that were not available in the past. This has led to significant improvements in the quality, safety, and sustainability of the modern home.
In the past, homes were built using traditional methods and materials with much less attention to energy efficiency, durability, and environmental impact. In contrast to the past, today’s homes built under the 2020 National Building Code (NBC) are designed and constructed from foundation to roof with every aspect engineered to meet the highest standards of quality and functionality. As a result, homes built today are stronger, safer, more comfortable, and more efficient than those built in the past. In this way, modern construction practices have made it possible for people to enjoy a higher quality of life in their homes, while also protecting the planet for future generations.
Improved Building Codes and Standards:
Building codes and standards have become more rigorous over time, with a greater emphasis on safety, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability. The 2020 NBC has only added to the higher standards of the modern home, especially in the areas of air quality, insulation, ventilation, mechanical and structural integrity.
Advanced Building Materials:
Advancements in materials science have led to the development of more durable, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly building materials. Examples are engineered lumber which are greatly improving the quality and durability of homes. Modern insulation materials are more effective at retaining heat, while composite materials are stronger and more resistant to wear and tear. They even allow the home to potentially be more resilient to natural disasters than traditional materials used in the past.
Technological Advancements:
Advances in technology have enabled builders to design and construct homes with greater precision and efficiency than ever before. This includes the use of 3D modeling, computer-aided design, and building information modeling, which allow builders to create more accurate plans and avoid errors during construction.
Energy Efficiency:
With a growing emphasis on energy efficiency, builders are using advanced insulation, HVAC systems, and windows to reduce energy consumption and lower utility bills. The choice to build a Net Zero Energy, which creates as much energy as it consumes, has never been as low as the cost is today.
Improved Construction Techniques:
Builders have developed more sophisticated and efficient construction techniques over time. Those advancements continue as prefabrication of many components in the construction of the home continues which allow for faster and more efficient building of homes while also reducing waste and environmental impact. Modular construction continues to evolve along with new technologies of 3D printing of entire homes is now on the cutting edge.
Smart Home Technology:
The advent of smart home technology has transformed the way we interact with our homes. Smart home systems allow for remote control of heating, cooling, lighting, security, and entertainment systems, improving convenience, comfort, and security.
Sustainable Design:
Builders are now incorporating sustainable design features into homes. Options like solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems, even greener roofs are available in the market and can reduce the impact on the environment.
In summary, the combination of improved building codes, advanced materials, technological advancements, and improved construction techniques has resulted in homes that are built to a higher standard than in the past. While there are certainly examples of well-built homes from the past, the overall trend is towards greater quality and sustainability in modern home construction.
Energy Star Appliances Save Water, Electricity and Money:
Energy Star appliances have become one of the most common ways families living in new homes can reduce their energy usage and utility bills. Whether a dishwasher, oven, microwave, stove, washing machine or dryer Energy Star appliances ensures the appliance uses 5 to 10% less energy than its standard counterpart. Builders offer families high-quality appliances that reduce the amount of water and electricity needed for daily living.
Improved Insulation:
Heating and cooling homes accounts for most a home’s energy expenditure. Proper insulation plays a major role in vastly reducing the amount of energy and money needed to keep a home comfortable. Trying to insulate an older home cost ten of thousands of dollars, but almost all new homes have modern insulation to ensure they remain comfortable while reducing energy usage.
Low-Flow Toilet:
Newly built homes often come with low-flow toilets, an effective way to decrease your water use. Low-flush toilets extract less water from local pipes and uses as little as 1.6 gallons of water per flush, while a standard toilet may use anywhere between 3.5 to 7 gallons per flush. Not only will this have an impact on water preservation, but you’ll notice a difference in your water bill too!
Programmable Thermostats:
Programmable thermostats are one of the most popular pieces of smart home technology, and with good reason. Most smart thermostats allow you to choose energy saving settings and monitor energy consumption. These high-tech thermostats make it easy to stay comfortable, while reducing the energy needed to stay comfortable.
Low-Emittance Windows:
Windows and skylights have historically been a source of huge heat loss. Today’s double and triple pane windows with Ergon Gas reduce cooling and heating needs. The low-emissivity coatings reflect harmful UV rays and heat from sunlight, keeping homes cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, without making the house darker. An added benefit, home furnishings like floors, carpets, and furniture are protected from harmful UV rays.
LED and Natural Lighting:
Newly built homes take advantage of advances in lighting efficiency. In addition to using LED, many builders design their homes to maximize natural lighting, creating a living space that feels bright and airy, without needing the lights on all the time.
LED light bulbs consume 90 percent less energy than incandescent light bulbs and contain no mercury or other hazardous materials. Energy efficient light bulbs also last longer! They provide up to 10,000 hours of light, which is two to four times longer than most standard light bulbs.
Reduced Water Waste with Eco-Friendly Faucets for the Kitchen & Bath:
Most Builders outfit homes with eco-friendly faucets that can reduce water usage by over 30%. For example, WaterSense faucets use a maximum of 1.5 gallons per minute, compared to the standard flow of 2.2 gallons per minute.
Energy-Efficient Air Conditioner:
Running an air conditioner all summer long may make a house more comfortable, but it can take a toll the wallet and the environment. Builders today use highly efficient air conditioners that use less energy than ever before, at the same time reduces the carbon footprint of the cooling system.
Sustainable Lumber and Building Supplies:
Builders can provide options for the increasingly environmentally conscious home shoppers frequently use ethically sourced building materials. Builders can often use woods with low chemical emissions that reduces indoor air pollution, reclaimed wood for accent walls and flooring, while sourcing other lumber from sustainable forests.
Sustainable Flooring:
Today’s modern floors can incorporate recycled materials, bamboo, cork, hardwood, carpet tiles and natural linoleum. Not only are these options often made in part with recycled materials and improved environmental manufacturing process they also improve air quality indoors due to their lack of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s).
Geothermal and Solar Energy:
Using geothermal energy and installing solar panels is an option to take a home past Net Zero Energy Ready and straight to Net Zero Energy. Incorporating alternative energy sources into newly built homes is another example of advancement in building sciences.
Cool Roofs:
Builders have designed every aspect of their homes to make life comfortable and easy for homeowners, including roofs. Changes in building materials have resulted in roofs that reflect heat and light away from the home, increasing the overall efficiency of the home’s heating and cooling system.
Reduced Square Footage:
Shrinking square footage might not technically be a feature, but it affects the amount of energy a family uses. As floor plans change to better fit modern living, think eliminating the formal dining and living rooms and transitioning those spaces into home office or an additional cozy bedroom. People naturally spend less on the energy needed to a small home comfortable.
Building to a Specific Lot:
While also not technically a feature, by building to the actual lot a home sits on, builders help reduce the energy and water needed to keep their homes running. By orientating a home in relation to the sun and designing a comprehensive landscaping plan, modern green home design takes every aspect of a home into consideration.
Home shoppers that care about the environment have a lot to love in new homes. As builders continue to increase the number of green features that come standard with their homes, home shoppers can make their dream home a reality and take care of the environment, all while saving money over the lifetime of their home.
Renting a home, buying a resale home and renovating or building or buying a newly built home can have significant financial implications over the long term. This is why it is important to consider those options:
Financial Stability:
Understanding the lifetime cost of each housing option allows individuals to make informed decisions about their finances and plan for the future. It helps determine if a particular housing choice aligns with your budget and long-term financial goals.
Affordability:
Comparing the lifetime costs of renting versus buying a home can help determine which option is more affordable in the long run. While renting may seem cheaper initially, homeownership can provide certain benefits and the opportunity for equity growth, making it a potentially more cost-effective choice over time.
Equity and Investment:
Buying a home, whether resale or newly built, can be seen as an investment. Over time, the property may appreciate in value, allowing homeowners to build equity. Understanding the lifetime cost can help assess the potential return on investment and evaluate the overall financial benefits of homeownership.
Maintenance and Upkeep:
Different types of homes require varying levels of maintenance and upkeep. Newly built homes may have lower maintenance costs initially, as they are less likely to need immediate repairs. Resale homes, on the other hand, may require more frequent maintenance and renovations. Considering these costs can provide a more accurate picture of the lifetime expenses associated with each housing option. Renting removes the immediate risk of individual replacement costs, but are ultimately part of the overall rent.
Personal Circumstances:
Everyone’s circumstances are unique, and the lifetime cost of housing can vary depending on factors such as location, mortgage rates, rental market conditions, and personal preferences. By understanding the lifetime cost, individuals can make decisions that align with their specific needs and circumstances.
It’s important to note that the lifetime cost of renting, buying a resale home, or a newly built home is not solely about the financial aspect. Personal factors such as lifestyle, flexibility, and personal preferences also play a significant role in the decision-making process.
To help prospective homebuyers the ability to compare the lifetime costs of a new house, resale house and renting an equivalent house the Regina & Region Home Builders’ Association created a Lifetime Cost Calculator that provides the user the ability to enter there own costs and assumptions to see how the affect the final result.
You can find the Lifetime Cost Calculator here.