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Fall, 2004
 Content: • High-speed housing
Wiring homes for technology creates a buzz Not that long ago, it used to be considered rather upscale if a new middle-income home had wiring for two telephones and two TVs. Today, of course, it's different. Homes are built with lighting and security systems, as well as cable and phone outlets in practically every room. To accommodate Internet usage and avoid constant busy phone signals, many homes are equipped to handle at least two phone lines. It's part of living in a high-tech age. Such changes and consumer demands have created new business. Just some of the technology changes already in place, according to Better Homes and Gardens Web site include: • Rain-sensing roof windows. • Computers that answer the phone. • Lattices that never need paint. • Programmable locks and lighting. High tech isn't just confined to the family room or office. It’s part of the kitchen and bathrooms, too. The Web site for "Kitchen and Bath News" notes, "while most of the industry's attention is focused on the impact of the technological revolution on the Internet and e-business, kitchen and bath designers should not fail to lose sight of other key high-tech issues when planning residential environments." It adds, "The Leviton Institute, the educational arm of the Flushing, N.Y.-based Leviton Manufacturing Co., notes that high-speed telecommunications wiring, video cabling and low-voltage wiring are becoming increasingly important technological upgrades to specify in both new homes and remodeling projects." Whether building or remodeling, wiring for technology improvements needs to be considered, say experts. Options to consider when building or buying: — Wiring for high-speed Internet and broadband cable. — Low-voltage wiring for whole-house lighting control, for control of heating and air-conditioning systems, and for integrating security and property-protection systems into the other low-voltage systems in a home, such as lighting and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment. — Running speaker wiring from the main entertainment center to other rooms in a home. This allows both video and audio signals to be directed to outlets in every room of the home. Advises the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors, located in the hub of technological activity: "New homes are being built to handle sophisticated networks of integrated products (phone, PC, television, etc.), but older homes are facing some real challenges in upgrading to accommodate large bandwidth (the amount of electronic space that is needed to send and receive data, video or voice signals) services like the Internet. Some issues buyers will be able to address themselves — such as installing PC-to-PC networks so that children can play computer games with each other or share modem features for dialing out to the Internet. Issues such as the type of phone wiring and hookups that were installed at the time the house was built may require a neighborhood-wide approach." Many of the electrical hookups for high tech are being built in new homes. If selling or buying older homes, it might be wise to consider costs of remodeling or installing such systems. Money, lifestyles and interests are among the factors experts say should be considered when deciding how much high tech to have in one's home.  RETURN TO TOP |
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