Tomorrow’s Healthy Homes

Wellness has been a significant theme for everyone this past year. It is a trend that has entered the home, inspiring more holistic and healthy living environments – from what people eat, to where they work out, the quality of the air they breathe, how people utilize space, and their impact on the planet. Healthier homes are the new standard; green homes and health expectations go hand in hand. Now more than ever, homebuyers are aware of their surrounding environment and the impacts it has on their overall health. Moving forward, where are green and healthy homes headed? 

A survey conducted by the John Burns New Home Trends Institute found that 76% of homeowners are taking steps to improve their physical health and 69% have taken measures to promote their mental health as well – particularly the millennial homeowner. However, 69% of home buyers currently place more value on energy-efficient home features than those that promote health. This holistic view of wellbeing is becoming a new standard that is expected to be provided within new homes. Many homebuyers are willing to pay more for both energy-saving and health-promoting features.

Consumer trends are only one of the factors that spur innovation in the building industry. The shift in building and energy codes at the state level is another powerful force for change and adaptation. In California, the new energy code for 2022 is under development, it will build upon the ambitious energy standards set in 2019 (read our previous blog about the 2019 code HERE), effective January 1^st, 2023. The new energy code will further incentivize the implementation of electrical appliances, and the elimination of toxic building materials. California’s end goal is to have 100 percent clean energy by 2045. We will continue to see policy change pushing the electrification of homes, moving towards solar energy and cleaner, more sustainable building materials.

In recent years, builders have begun to provide electrical appliance options and green packages for their homes. This is a great start, but the industry will continue moving towards the next code cycle with more incentives, impacting new home construction and the standards expected.

City Ventures is an example of one of the very first and few builders to embrace “electrification” prior to California’s 2019 Energy Code and local reach codes. Their Living Green standards include energy efficiency, water-conserving features, and solar power along with fully electric appliances in all their multi-family projects. City Ventures is diligent when it comes to including smart features in addition to green products that make the home healthier and more sustainable for its residents. Other builders like Taylor Morrison, Meritage Homes, and TRI Pointe Homes have recently rolled out trademark healthy features and sustainability programs as options for homebuyers. A few examples of smart options include air and water filtration, advanced thermostat tech, as well as low VOC paint and materials. 

We predict the future of healthy homes will continue to be driven by consumer trends focused on holistic wellbeing in addition to new policies focused on green building practices. Homebuyers seeking healthier lifestyles and environments that support their efforts will reward forward-thinking homebuilders with their purchases.