By Clyde Noel
Housing starts in the United States jumped 11 percent in December; and according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, home starts are rising at levels not seen in 25 years.
Internet Home Alliance, a network of leading companies involved in the advancement of home technology, surveyed more than 400 consumers who were either owners or prospective buyers of newly constructed homes.
Alliance corporate members, including Cisco Systems Inc., Hewlett-Packard Company, CompUSA Inc. and SBC Communications Inc., defined the purpose of the study. They wanted to determine the priorities of consumers when they purchase, install or maintain home technologies.
The results indicated that buyers considered pre-wired cable/satellite TV or a home security system the most important technologies to purchase.
Voted somewhat important were structured wiring, multizone HVAC, an air purification system, a wireless home computer network, an energy management system, a community wide high-speed Internet connection, a home control/automation system and lighting control.
Consumers were evenly split on Web cameras and Internet refrigerators. A majority said they were somewhat or very familiar with many of the technology options available but not with Internet refrigerators and home-based health management systems.
In addition to pre-wiring for cable or satellite TV, available in most standard constructed homes, the most popular technologies are an intercom, central vacuum and home security systems.
Consumers reported they would prefer to examine the technologies in a showroom or a home show before deciding to purchase the options.
The consumers interviewed expect to acquire their newly constructed home in a planned subdivision. The opportunity to start anew with a “clean canvas” or live in a home with a better-designed floor plan is the common reason consumers gave for purchasing newly constructed homes.
A majority of those canvassed leaned toward a consumer electronics store for purchasing electronics and a professional installer to set up and maintain them.
For more information, logon to www.internethomealliance.com.
