Technology in the 21st Century House

According to an article written by David LaGesse in April 2009's U.S. News & World Report, scientists have set big goals for the evolution of new-home technology over the next two decades. They envision that houses could come with the capability to produce their own power, and that HVAC and electrical systems and windows could all be smart enough to communicate with each other. They see new types of insulation materials that outperform any insulation available today, and light bulbs that last for more than 50 years. The following is a list of some emerging technologies that could start to change the face of the construction and housing industry throughout the next several years.

1. Today's existing windows are typically treated to either reflect sunlight in warmer climates, or not reflect it in colder climates. This system doesn't work well in climates where the seasons change. The windows of the future will be smart enough to change their amount of tinting on demand, enabling each window to adjust accordingly to the amount of sunlight. Ultimately, this new window reduces the need to cool or heat a home, saving on energy costs.

2. Homes of the future will come equipped with home heating, cooling, and lighting systems that communicate with each other and with the internet as well. This network could result in lighting fixtures that know to dim or turn off entirely during sunlight hours, air vents that know to stop blowing heated air at open windows, etc. Scientists think that this type of system could cut out a third of the energy usage in a home or building.

3. Scientists and chemists are continuously building and improving upon existing materials used for home and building insulation. A new material has been discovered, called "Aerogel," which is made up of 99 percent gas but is one of the lightest solids known to man, and looks similar to a slice of solid smoke. According to scientists, there is no better insulation material available for its particular thickness. At this stage, the material is very costly and is undergoing testing in a few building and housing projects, but is expected to infiltrate the mainstream housing market one day in the future.

4. The fuel cell technology which has powered space flight for decades and is taking over the future of the auto industry is also being considered as a method for powering a home. It is believed that one day, electricity and hot water can be generated inside the home through fuel cell technology. This breakthrough reduces the amount of pollution created by traditional electrical generation, and eliminates waste in getting power from its source, into the individual homes.

5. Over the next two decades traditional light bulbs will become history, being replaced with compact LED fluroescent bulbs. These bulbs use about 12 percent of the energy used by a traditional bulb, and can last 50 years or more. LED lighting has already been used in some commercial buildings where lights are on 24 hours a day. Running at about $120 each, these bulbs are costly and aren't expected to generate a payback for eight to ten years. Over time the cost is anticipated to come down and these bulbs will become the standard method for lighting a new home.

Dominick Tringali Architects is a residential, custom and community architectural firm specializing in the methodology lifestyle by design. To learn more, please visit www.dtarchitects.com or http://dtarchitects.blogspot.com.