The homes in Heritage Hills in Chapel Hill, NC are representative of the popularity and explosive growth of American Home Ownership that occurred during the economic expansion that followed the end of WW II. They were designed and built to foster the benefits and sense of “community”, where families could come together and share theirs and their children’s lives. They are typically in very desirable locations within their larger communities, and remodeling them with modern amenities, increasing the performance and efficiency of them, and having them Green Certified (independent third-party verified) makes them extremely attractive to buyers, and helps to raise other property values within the neighborhood. Green Certified Remodeled Homes offer significant value and advantage in the marketplace over similar homes in their area, which is especially important as a new, younger era of home buyers enter the market. Current trends suggest that younger (as well as many “seasoned”) homeowners are interested in smaller, more efficient (and thus affordable) homes situated closer to shopping, their work, entertainment opportunities, and access to the economic and environmental benefits of mass transit. These older homes also offer an additional value that is continuing to gain visibility and appreciation in the market place. They were built from lumber from slower-growth trees (denser and harder wood), and as such offer superior structural support compared to the same home built using lumber from today’s faster-growing (softer and less-dense wood) trees. Robin and Kent had lived in their 2-story Gambrel Roof home in Heritage Hills since 1994. The house was structurally sound, due in large part to the old-growth (and denser) yellow pine that was used in its framing. They loved the quiet neighborhood, its sense of community and amenities, and their home. It suited their life-style and needs; and they had decided that they would remain in the home. It was showing its age, and was in need of general repairs and maintenance, and its energy, water, and indoor air quality performance was continuing to increase their ongoing cost of ownership. Robin loved the screen porch that looked out on their private and nicely landscaped back yard, but she wanted to be able to use it in the colder months of the year. She was unsatisfied with the kitchen and the mud room / laundry room, and the darkness of other living spaces. A previous water leak in the laundry room had resulted in a large patch of mold that had compromised flooring, wall board, and insulation and contributed to the homes reduced indoor air quality. The home lacked insulation in the crawl, and inadequate insulation in the attic. The single HVAC unit had been replaced a few years earlier with a more efficient unit, but with a single programmable thermostat control on the first floor and aging and un-insulated ducting, the second floor was often over-heated in the summer months. The original wood windows had begun to deteriorate and were drafty and inefficient, and the original wood-burning fireplace was an open conduit for escaping conditioned air as well as an inlet for wood-smoke smelling air being pulled into the home. The siding had been replaced a few years earlier with a cement-fiber product, but the exterior wood trim was compromised and beginning to look unsightly. Its original architecture had been altered over the years in ways that presented ongoing maintenance and durability issues, as well as disrupting the elegance of the original design. Kent has worked for over 30 years in the Environmental Sciences field, and is considered to be a national expert in understanding the sources of, and human exposure to pollutants in indoor environments. He had always been very conscious and cautious about the effects on indoor air quality that the construction, furnishings, and products used in home had on him and his family. Project Goals Increase the performance of their home by improving energy efficiency by at least 40% and lowering their natural gas and electric utility costs. Increase the performance of their home by reducing water usage by at least 40% and lowering the water utility costs. Increase the comfort of their home that was being compromised by an inadequate HVAC design, inadequate insulation, inefficient and compromised wood windows, and copious air intrusions and drafts. Improve the healthiness of the homes indoor air quality that was being compromised by an open wood-burning fireplace, and prior water intrusion that had allowed colonies of mold to thrive. Create a new Kitchen, Family Room, Home Office, Mudroom, and Laundry Room that featured some of the latest designs and trends and harmonized with the rest of the homes charm. Increase the usefulness and aesthetics of the screened porch by creating a warm and inviting semi-conditioned 3-Season Room that extended the times during the year that it was comfortable. Introduce day-lighting into areas of the home that were dark and uninviting. Brighten and harmonize all of the interior finishes. Protect and restore the exterior of the home with superior-performing products and finishes. Achieve Gold Level Green Home Certification in conformance with the ICC 700-2012 National Green Building Standards (NGBS).

Welcome to the Avanti by Olthof Homes. This 1,601 sf single family villa home, affords all the benefits of maintenance free living. This 2 bedroom, 2 bath home also showcases a den area with entertainment niche, and may also be built with 3 bedrooms. As standard on a slab, this home also offers pull down attic storage, a sunroom, and partial basement options. 2 car attached garage. 10x10 patio. Olthof Homes builds high performance energy efficient homes with a third party certified energy rating (HERS rating). 10 year structural warranty, 4 year workmanship on the roof, JeldWen Low E windows, and Industry Best Customer Care Program.

The homes in Heritage Hills in Chapel Hill, NC are representative of the popularity and explosive growth of American Home Ownership that occurred during the economic expansion that followed the end of WW II. They were designed and built to foster the benefits and sense of “community”, where families could come together and share theirs and their children’s lives. They are typically in very desirable locations within their larger communities, and remodeling them with modern amenities, increasing the performance and efficiency of them, and having them Green Certified (independent third-party verified) makes them extremely attractive to buyers, and helps to raise other property values within the neighborhood. Green Certified Remodeled Homes offer significant value and advantage in the marketplace over similar homes in their area, which is especially important as a new, younger era of home buyers enter the market. Current trends suggest that younger (as well as many “seasoned”) homeowners are interested in smaller, more efficient (and thus affordable) homes situated closer to shopping, their work, entertainment opportunities, and access to the economic and environmental benefits of mass transit. These older homes also offer an additional value that is continuing to gain visibility and appreciation in the market place. They were built from lumber from slower-growth trees (denser and harder wood), and as such offer superior structural support compared to the same home built using lumber from today’s faster-growing (softer and less-dense wood) trees. Robin and Kent had lived in their 2-story Gambrel Roof home in Heritage Hills since 1994. The house was structurally sound, due in large part to the old-growth (and denser) yellow pine that was used in its framing. They loved the quiet neighborhood, its sense of community and amenities, and their home. It suited their life-style and needs; and they had decided that they would remain in the home. It was showing its age, and was in need of general repairs and maintenance, and its energy, water, and indoor air quality performance was continuing to increase their ongoing cost of ownership. Robin loved the screen porch that looked out on their private and nicely landscaped back yard, but she wanted to be able to use it in the colder months of the year. She was unsatisfied with the kitchen and the mud room / laundry room, and the darkness of other living spaces. A previous water leak in the laundry room had resulted in a large patch of mold that had compromised flooring, wall board, and insulation and contributed to the homes reduced indoor air quality. The home lacked insulation in the crawl, and inadequate insulation in the attic. The single HVAC unit had been replaced a few years earlier with a more efficient unit, but with a single programmable thermostat control on the first floor and aging and un-insulated ducting, the second floor was often over-heated in the summer months. The original wood windows had begun to deteriorate and were drafty and inefficient, and the original wood-burning fireplace was an open conduit for escaping conditioned air as well as an inlet for wood-smoke smelling air being pulled into the home. The siding had been replaced a few years earlier with a cement-fiber product, but the exterior wood trim was compromised and beginning to look unsightly. Its original architecture had been altered over the years in ways that presented ongoing maintenance and durability issues, as well as disrupting the elegance of the original design. Kent has worked for over 30 years in the Environmental Sciences field, and is considered to be a national expert in understanding the sources of, and human exposure to pollutants in indoor environments. He had always been very conscious and cautious about the effects on indoor air quality that the construction, furnishings, and products used in home had on him and his family. Project Goals Increase the performance of their home by improving energy efficiency by at least 40% and lowering their natural gas and electric utility costs. Increase the performance of their home by reducing water usage by at least 40% and lowering the water utility costs. Increase the comfort of their home that was being compromised by an inadequate HVAC design, inadequate insulation, inefficient and compromised wood windows, and copious air intrusions and drafts. Improve the healthiness of the homes indoor air quality that was being compromised by an open wood-burning fireplace, and prior water intrusion that had allowed colonies of mold to thrive. Create a new Kitchen, Family Room, Home Office, Mudroom, and Laundry Room that featured some of the latest designs and trends and harmonized with the rest of the homes charm. Increase the usefulness and aesthetics of the screened porch by creating a warm and inviting semi-conditioned 3-Season Room that extended the times during the year that it was comfortable. Introduce day-lighting into areas of the home that were dark and uninviting. Brighten and harmonize all of the interior finishes. Protect and restore the exterior of the home with superior-performing products and finishes. Achieve Gold Level Green Home Certification in conformance with the ICC 700-2012 National Green Building Standards (NGBS).

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The homes in Heritage Hills in Chapel Hill, NC are representative of the popularity and explosive growth of American Home Ownership that occurred during the economic expansion that followed the end of WW II. They were designed and built to foster the benefits and sense of “community”, where families could come together and share theirs and their children’s lives. They are typically in very desirable locations within their larger communities, and remodeling them with modern amenities, increasing the performance and efficiency of them, and having them Green Certified (independent third-party verified) makes them extremely attractive to buyers, and helps to raise other property values within the neighborhood. Green Certified Remodeled Homes offer significant value and advantage in the marketplace over similar homes in their area, which is especially important as a new, younger era of home buyers enter the market. Current trends suggest that younger (as well as many “seasoned”) homeowners are interested in smaller, more efficient (and thus affordable) homes situated closer to shopping, their work, entertainment opportunities, and access to the economic and environmental benefits of mass transit. These older homes also offer an additional value that is continuing to gain visibility and appreciation in the market place. They were built from lumber from slower-growth trees (denser and harder wood), and as such offer superior structural support compared to the same home built using lumber from today’s faster-growing (softer and less-dense wood) trees. Robin and Kent had lived in their 2-story Gambrel Roof home in Heritage Hills since 1994. The house was structurally sound, due in large part to the old-growth (and denser) yellow pine that was used in its framing. They loved the quiet neighborhood, its sense of community and amenities, and their home. It suited their life-style and needs; and they had decided that they would remain in the home. It was showing its age, and was in need of general repairs and maintenance, and its energy, water, and indoor air quality performance was continuing to increase their ongoing cost of ownership. Robin loved the screen porch that looked out on their private and nicely landscaped back yard, but she wanted to be able to use it in the colder months of the year. She was unsatisfied with the kitchen and the mud room / laundry room, and the darkness of other living spaces. A previous water leak in the laundry room had resulted in a large patch of mold that had compromised flooring, wall board, and insulation and contributed to the homes reduced indoor air quality. The home lacked insulation in the crawl, and inadequate insulation in the attic. The single HVAC unit had been replaced a few years earlier with a more efficient unit, but with a single programmable thermostat control on the first floor and aging and un-insulated ducting, the second floor was often over-heated in the summer months. The original wood windows had begun to deteriorate and were drafty and inefficient, and the original wood-burning fireplace was an open conduit for escaping conditioned air as well as an inlet for wood-smoke smelling air being pulled into the home. The siding had been replaced a few years earlier with a cement-fiber product, but the exterior wood trim was compromised and beginning to look unsightly. Its original architecture had been altered over the years in ways that presented ongoing maintenance and durability issues, as well as disrupting the elegance of the original design. Kent has worked for over 30 years in the Environmental Sciences field, and is considered to be a national expert in understanding the sources of, and human exposure to pollutants in indoor environments. He had always been very conscious and cautious about the effects on indoor air quality that the construction, furnishings, and products used in home had on him and his family. Project Goals Increase the performance of their home by improving energy efficiency by at least 40% and lowering their natural gas and electric utility costs. Increase the performance of their home by reducing water usage by at least 40% and lowering the water utility costs. Increase the comfort of their home that was being compromised by an inadequate HVAC design, inadequate insulation, inefficient and compromised wood windows, and copious air intrusions and drafts. Improve the healthiness of the homes indoor air quality that was being compromised by an open wood-burning fireplace, and prior water intrusion that had allowed colonies of mold to thrive. Create a new Kitchen, Family Room, Home Office, Mudroom, and Laundry Room that featured some of the latest designs and trends and harmonized with the rest of the homes charm. Increase the usefulness and aesthetics of the screened porch by creating a warm and inviting semi-conditioned 3-Season Room that extended the times during the year that it was comfortable. Introduce day-lighting into areas of the home that were dark and uninviting. Brighten and harmonize all of the interior finishes. Protect and restore the exterior of the home with superior-performing products and finishes. Achieve Gold Level Green Home Certification in conformance with the ICC 700-2012 National Green Building Standards (NGBS).

Perched high above the award-winning Mountain Course Hole #3 in the beautiful private golf community of Glacier Club, this exquisite home is the collaborative masterpiece of Architects Jon Pomeroy & John Courter, and Master Green Builders Greg & Hunter Mantell-Hecathorn. The complexity of the design and the challenging site make this home a striking combination of art, engineering, and high-performance building science. The contemporary design elements and incorporation of warm natural wood throughout the home create a modern and clean, yet comfortable environment for the Homeowner. Meticulously placed lighting, steel and glass accentuates custom details and the unique finishes. Like all homes by M-H Builders, this home was efficiently built using advanced building science techniques, highest quality materials and has undergone significant testing by an Independent, Certified Third-Party Energy Rater. This home achieved an impressive HERS® score of 20, which makes it 80% more efficient than a standard Code-Built home.

Several years of collaboration between the owners, builder and architect came to fruition in the creation of this exquisite, sophisticated custom home located in the distinguished Two Dogs Subdivision. Designed by world-renowned architect James P. Rothwell, this home is in a class of its own. The Country Manor design and interior floor plan reflect the Owners’ desire to create interior spaces reminiscent of the 1920’s era that showcased finely detailed rooms and private spaces. Elegant fixtures and intricate woodwork are featured throughout the home. The formal kitchen, dining room and butler pantry are in keeping with the early 20th century design influence. Many of the rooms focus on the stunning mountain and forest views. Spacious porches, patios and an outdoor fireplace create opportunities for special family memories. The Owners of this spectacular home selected Mantell-Hecathorn Builders for their dedication to quality, their 100% commitment to third party certified high performance standards, and for their personal attention to detail throughout all phases of a project. Despite its size and complexity, this home had exceptional test results and was rated to be 61% more energy efficient than a similar home built to county code.

Perched high above the award-winning Mountain Course Hole #3 in the beautiful private golf community of Glacier Club, this exquisite home is the collaborative masterpiece of Architects Jon Pomeroy & John Courter, and Master Green Builders Greg & Hunter Mantell-Hecathorn. The complexity of the design and the challenging site make this home a striking combination of art, engineering, and high-performance building science. The contemporary design elements and incorporation of warm natural wood throughout the home create a modern and clean, yet comfortable environment for the Homeowner. Meticulously placed lighting, steel and glass accentuates custom details and the unique finishes. Like all homes by M-H Builders, this home was efficiently built using advanced building science techniques, highest quality materials and has undergone significant testing by an Independent, Certified Third-Party Energy Rater. This home achieved an impressive HERS® score of 20, which makes it 80% more efficient than a standard Code-Built home.

This Louisville home in the Boulder Area had old, cracked and warping cedar siding on it. The homeowners were struggling to maintain it and had a persistent problem with woodpeckers. They like the look of natural wood but wanted something that would outlast their time in the home and would allow for minimal upkeep. We suggested a unique product that we love, which happens to meet both of these requirements: James Hardie siding from WoodTone RusticSeries. This product is a James Hardie lap siding product that has a factory finish from a third-party finishing company, WoodTone. The base product, James Hardie HardiePlank lap siding, has a 30-year warranty. WoodTone's process for finishing this product gives it the look of stained wood with the benefit of a 15-year finish warranty. The homeowner selected the color Costal Gray for the body and James Hardie's Arctic White for the trim. We also installed James Hardie ColorPlus fascia and vented soffits in the color Arctic White. How do you think it turned out?

LEED certification level: Platinum. Builder: GCCM Construction Services LLC dba UberGreen Spaces & Homes. Mark Twain said it best, "If the world were to end today I'd move to Kentucky because they are 20 years behind everyone else." There is some truth to that because Kentuckians believe that 'if it aint broke dont fix it'. We designed and built Kentucky's first LEED Platinum Net Zero Energy Net Zero Water home in the private sector. We named the home 'My Green Kentucky Home' playing off the state song 'My Old Kentucky Home'. Our take on a home should have people and the planet in mind. We found LEED to be the best most credible third-party green certification program to address these important challenges today. The envelope of the home was designed to minimize energy losses and maximize inside comfort by using Insulated Concrete Form walls from the footers to the roof, spray foam and blown in cellulose in the attic, rigid foam beneath the Lower Level basement slab and triple-pane fully insulated casement windows. The home was oriented with the back facing south to maximize daylighting, passive heating in the winter and solar production. Our HVAC is geothermal with a storage tank to preheat domestic water. A fresh air system was installed in the return side of the HVAC system to filter and then mix with supply air to the home. All paints were zero VOC. The reclaimed KY horse farm fencing turned into beautiful hardwood floors was finished with a low VOC sealer. Carpets were low VOC and the 100% recycled padding was zero VOC. The custom cabinets for the kitchen and baths were made locally and built with FSC certified plywood with no added formaldehyde. The home collects 100% of the rainwater that hits the roof into a 3,300 gallon rainwater collection tank. The primary use of the collected water is to irrigate the lawns, landscaped beds and supply the hose bibs. When the tank is low it automatically shuts the tank valve and opens the city water valve to operate with city water pressure until the tank fills past a certain level, saving electricity and wear and tear on the pump. The cistern is designed to service all the homes domestic water needs when KY State Plumbing code will allow it in the future. All appliances are Energy Star and locally made by GE. The counter tops on all cabinets are recycled materials and durable without requiring sealers or maintenance. We went a step further for indoor air quality and installed AirRenew drywall by Certainteed which works like trees do in the environment by pulling in VOC's into the drywall and making it inert. The Florida Tile was made in Kentucky with recycled content. We monitor all utility usage per electrical circuit and monitor the amount of energy produced by the solar panels as well helping the owners make more informed decisions. The home was such a hit that it was the catalyst that sparked development in a dormant neighborhood of vacant lots. We had the home open for three months to the public where hundreds of folks toured it as it was laid out like an art museum. We had actual walls open all the way to the outside layer of ICF insulation where they saw the concrete and steel inside the walls. We also had the lower level basement slab cut open to show how we insulate beneath the concrete and how we drain and mitigate radon. It was a super inspirational project that made people think about people and the planet much differently than before. We hope to continue making great projects like these to help inspire, educate and create awareness around some of the most important topics and challenges we face today. Thank you to everyone at the USGBC for helping us make this happen and the great work you do every day!

Perched high above the award-winning Mountain Course Hole #3 in the beautiful private golf community of Glacier Club, this exquisite home is the collaborative masterpiece of Architects Jon Pomeroy & John Courter, and Master Green Builders Greg & Hunter Mantell-Hecathorn. The complexity of the design and the challenging site make this home a striking combination of art, engineering, and high-performance building science. The contemporary design elements and incorporation of warm natural wood throughout the home create a modern and clean, yet comfortable environment for the Homeowner. Meticulously placed lighting, steel and glass accentuates custom details and the unique finishes. Like all homes by M-H Builders, this home was efficiently built using advanced building science techniques, highest quality materials and has undergone significant testing by an Independent, Certified Third-Party Energy Rater. This home achieved an impressive HERS® score of 20, which makes it 80% more efficient than a standard Code-Built home.

G3 provided a variety of services for the conversion of these mid-19th century landmarked loft warehouses to luxury condominiums. Our participation commenced as a third-party observer for the mezzanine lender, who assumed control of the project when the original developer went bankrupt. Working both as architect and redevelopment manager, we led the following activities: • Forensic analysis of construction defects • Code analysis for egress and fire safety • Comprehensive façade renovation, including NYC Local Law 11 filing and Landmarks approval • Development of new metal-and glass exterior façade enclosure for two penthouse levels • Redesign of residential units to improve marketability and to meet code • Redesign of building lobby to improve marketability

Scope of work: - Prep work - Cover work areas as necessary (consult with homeowner) - Confirm staging area for all materials & cutting / debris area - Demo and Haul Away all Debris - Begin to update all rough trades in exposed areas (vertical plumbing, electrical & mechanical) - Rough plumbing - Upgrade all vertical plumbing to city code - Run new supply, drainage & venting for new double sink - Install new wax O ring for toilet (check for leaks to prevent mold) - Rough mechanical - Fan to be on humidistat switch per code - Install new customer provided fan - Rough electrical - GFI’s to be on a dedicated 20amp circuit to electrical panel per city code - Provide & Install outlets per city code - Install one outlet by toilet for heated toilet seat - Pass all rough and special inspections - Finishes - Close opening of downstairs closet seiling - Frame & install shampoo niche (size & location TBD) - Install new customer provided medicine cabinet (if desired) - Install new customer provided tile flooring & baseboards (tile baseboards) - Install new customer provided tub wall tile - Apply Grout to all tile - Tape, mud & texture drywall in necessary areas (match existing spray texture) - Paint complete bathroom - Install existing customer door - Install new customer provided tub fixtures - Install customer provided toilet - Install new customer provided vanity, countertop, sinks, faucets & backsplash - Install new customer provided accessories (mirror, towel bars, TP holders, etc.) - Install new customer provided light fixtures in both Hall Bathroom and Master - Shower glass to be installed by third party company (if desired) - Pass final inspections - Duration of project: 20 days Price: $12,000

For years we have honed our skills and become one of the most widely regarded suppliers of natural stone kitchen countertops in Raleigh and the surrounding area. We have the massive benefit of being able to store large quantities of our material in our warehouse so we can make your custom countertops on premise and on demand. This allows us to be able to make counters to your specifications, not have to rely on a third party product that might fall short and not meet our standards. Call the team at Geo’s Marble & Granite today to ask about our free estimate for competitive prices. We will also be glad to answer any and all questions you have and address any concerns. We expertly measure your space so we can accurately advise you on the best course of action. Ordering marble, granite and quartz is similar to ordering fabric in that the raw materials come in prefabricated slabs that must be cut down to size. Luckily that’s where we shine, making each countertop to order. We guarantee nothing but the best high-quality materials with competitively low prices because we are able to house our materials rather than ship them in every time we need to fulfill an order.

Clopay Avante Collection glass garage doors play a key role in the magical, translucent calm that prevails the newly completed Modern Green Barn. Inspired by the vernacular potato barns of Long Island’s East End, this unique, energy efficient home is one of the most innovative new designs in the Hamptons. It will receive six third party ratings, including LEED for Homes and National Green Building Standard. Large open spaces create dramatic views, and light and structure is infused into every space. As the sun sets, the Kalwall gable ends and ridge skylights shed soft light to the outside and the pilaster lanterns and etched glass Clopay Garage Doors begin to glow. Every room connects to the outdoors, and the transition between many of the rooms and outdoor spaces is seamless. The abundance of woods on the interior and exterior, and the finishes and warm colors, make it warm and inviting. Project by Stott Architecture for Newmark Developers.

Photo courtesy of Nadim Oztan, staging by third party
Example of a mid-sized transitional light wood floor great room design in San Francisco with white walls and a tile fireplace

Perched high above the award-winning Mountain Course Hole #3 in the beautiful private golf community of Glacier Club, this exquisite home is the collaborative masterpiece of Architects Jon Pomeroy & John Courter, and Master Green Builders Greg & Hunter Mantell-Hecathorn. The complexity of the design and the challenging site make this home a striking combination of art, engineering, and high-performance building science. The contemporary design elements and incorporation of warm natural wood throughout the home create a modern and clean, yet comfortable environment for the Homeowner. Meticulously placed lighting, steel and glass accentuates custom details and the unique finishes. Like all homes by M-H Builders, this home was efficiently built using advanced building science techniques, highest quality materials and has undergone significant testing by an Independent, Certified Third-Party Energy Rater. This home achieved an impressive HERS® score of 20, which makes it 80% more efficient than a standard Code-Built home.

Our exceptional home flipping projects, where we worked with real estate developers to transform outdated properties into stunning, modern living spaces. Our expertise in renovation and design allows us to enhance the functionality, aesthetics, and value of each home, tailored to meet the needs and desires of prospective buyers. Each home is meticulously staged by a third-party professional.

This article is posted here with the consent of the author. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, view, or opinion of Crestron Electronics, Inc., or of any of its employees. Crestron Electronics is not responsible for, and does not verify the accuracy of, any of the information contained in this article. By Jeff Singer The “smart” revolution began several years ago with smartphones (a.k.a phones) and has extended in recent years to thermostats, doorbells, alarm systems, and kitchen appliances. Smart devices are so ubiquitous that the term “smart” is overused to the point that it is almost meaningless. Companies are eager to jump on the bandwagon and claim their products are “smart,” and consumers proudly claim they have a smart home because they have lighting control. Misconceptions about smart homes are prevalent and create confusion in the marketplace. This can have deleterious effects on businesses and underserve consumers. Here are seven of the most popular misconceptions about smart homes: 1. Apps are smart Apps are convenient and easy to use. Yes, it seems there’s an app for everything. People expect to be able to download an app and do just about anything. App developers and many companies do not disavow consumers of this myth. On the contrary, they promote this idea with carefully worded descriptions. The promise of having the world at your fingertips for $1.99 is very enticing. Although it sounds too good to be true, it is also too good to pass up for many people. This leads to undervaluing home control and disappointment when the apps don’t work, which undermines confidence in our industry. The fact is that apps are not smart. They do not control anything. They must connect to and communicate with a control system or cloud service that processes, prioritizes, and executes commands. That’s the real magic and what most people do not understand. 2. Smart devices work together With so many smart appliances and devices on the market today, it’s understandable that the average consumer might think that they actually communicate and work together. This is simply not the case. Smart devices are not that smart. They are designed and manufactured by different, often competing, companies. There are no national or industry standards governing these products. Even if they all operate using Wi-Fi® communications, that doesn’t mean they work together. Some companies promote a home control platform, which unites different devices from different companies – in theory. The platform is yet another third-party software totally dependent on other companies developing APIs and writing control modules for their hardware to run on that piece of software. The devices are not independently compatible. Also, when updates are made to either the hardware or the software, functionality may be affected for some period. That’s a nice way of saying the device or system won’t work and there’s no way of knowing for how long. 3. It’s a DIY project Which brings us to the next myth, which is that the average person can do it themselves. Unless you are a skilled professional, I would not advise taking on a smart home project. You want to make a light turn on and off with your Alexa® or Google Assistant™ virtual assistant software, go for it. A smart home takes much more planning and expertise. I have no problem changing a light bulb or hanging a light fixture in my dining room; however, I am not going to rewire my house. I may change the flush valve in my toilet, but I’m not going to replace the pipes in my house. You get it. Integrating devices and systems, establishing different zones, creating scenes, designing the UI with a balance between control, feedback, and simplicity – all takes experience and skill. 4. Need a programmer to make changes Early adopters may have experienced the pain of trying to make a simple change or update to their home control system. Years ago, if the cable provider changed the channel line-up, the homeowner would have to call the dealer or programmer to make an appointment for them to come out to the house to reprogram the system. The system wouldn’t work as expected until it was updated, which often took several days and beaucoup bucks. Not anymore. Technology has evolved so now it’s easy for system owners to change favorite channels, create scenes, rename buttons, update images, and more. While a professional is needed for the initial installation and setup, the system is easy to manage once it’s up and running. This makes life so much easier for both dealer and customer. 5. Tech becomes obsolete quickly Similar to updating the UI, updating firmware or hardware used to be a stressful process. A smart home should be intelligent enough to update itself. Apps don’t become obsolete. Updates are constantly pushed out from the cloud, making them better all the time. The same is true for a good smart home system. New features, functions, and device support gets added in the background consistently, so the system you installed (or purchased) yesterday gets better over time. Swapping out decorative elements, such as keypads, dimmers, and touch screens is also seamless. When a new device is added, all the settings are pulled down from the cloud and it just works. No system interruptions. No sunk costs. No imposing house calls. No surprise bills. 6. Lighting control saves energy and money Lighting control is one of the most popular smart systems, but it takes more than just one system to make a home smart. On the surface, it makes sense that if you dim the lights ten percent, then you save ten percent of energy costs. If the shades are raised during the day to take advantage of sunlight so the lights don’t need to be on (or at least not 100%), but that causes the room temperature to rise a few degrees, which triggers the air conditioner to run longer and more often, was energy usage (or cost) reduced? A smart home integrates all the various systems and technology to optimize comfort, convenience, safety, and sometimes energy. 7. Home technology is easy to hack Security is at the forefront of people’s minds these days. Personal identities are stolen; email accounts hacked; private photos publicized; and more. A smart home must outsmart those who don’t respect privacy. Crestron control systems adhere to the strictest security standards. The same Crestron control system that goes into a home is also installed in secure government and military facilities, global banking institutions, hospitals, and other mission critical applications. When installed correctly by a trained professional, a Crestron smart home is the gold standard for security, comfort, and convenience.