Building a New Home: Don’t Forget Smart Home Technology
Building a new home can be exciting. However, with rising costs, it can also be stressful to consider all the design choices and budgetary factors. For many, it’s easy to overlook smart home technology infrastructure while making critical decisions about aspects like home layout, bathrooms, and kitchen design.
Why Aren’t Connected Homes a Standard Feature in New Builds?
The simple answer is that the construction industry is still catching up to technology infrastructure for modern homes. While plumbing and electrical systems have been standard for nearly a century, connected homes and smart technologies are relatively new.
Indoor plumbing began in the mid-1800s but didn’t become widespread in homes until the 1930s when plumbing codes were developed to improve public health and prevent disease outbreaks. Around the same time, indoor plumbing transitioned from being a luxury to a common household feature.
Similarly, electricity was introduced to urban areas by the 1930s. It wasn’t until the 1940s that “flipping a switch” became a standard convenience in new home construction.
The internet was invented in 1983, but it wasn’t until the mid-1990s that it became a household staple. With its explosive growth over the last 50 years, it’s no surprise that new homeowners now drive the demand for homes equipped with IT infrastructure. While some builders may hesitate to add complexity to their projects due to concerns about budget and timelines, consumer demand is pushing the integration of smart home systems into new builds. This is quickly becoming a foundational system, much like plumbing or electrical infrastructure.
The Importance of Technology Infrastructure in Your New Home
The most important emerging infrastructure in your new home is technology infrastructure. By following a few best practices, you can easily future-proof your home to be a smart home for years to come.
Top 3 Best Practices for Smart Home Technology in New Builds
1. Use CAT6 Network Cable as the Minimum Standard
What is CAT5 or CAT6?
CAT stands for “category network cable,” which is a low-voltage network cable used for data communication. It’s increasingly being used to deliver power without requiring high-voltage systems.
Before Wi-Fi became common, you likely connected your laptop to the internet with an Ethernet cable. Each generation of network cables offers higher speeds and greater capabilities. The number indicates the version (e.g., CAT5, CAT6). CAT6 provides significantly faster data transfer rates than CAT5. However, we still see CAT5 being used in some new home builds.
Using CAT5 can limit the speed and capabilities of your devices. Ensure your home runs on nothing less than CAT6. While CAT7 and fiber optic cables are available and offer even better speeds, CAT6 is an excellent standard for most new homes.
2. Plan for Your Wireless Network, Sound Systems, Lighting, and Security
A strong and reliable network is essential for modern homes. Here’s what we recommend:
- Hardwire all TV locations for optimal streaming from services like Netflix, Hulu, and others.
- Hardwire security camera locations at the front, back, and sides of your house. Modern cameras often use CAT6 for power and communication.
- Hardwire your video doorbell. The front door is a key location for monitoring packages and visitors.
- Hardwire home office spaces for maximum speeds during Zoom calls or other remote work tasks.
- Hardwire your security panel or central home control system for consistent power and connectivity.
- Install “wireless access points” (WAPs) in key areas to provide strong Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home.
Prewiring for these systems before the walls are closed up will save you significant costs in the future. Retrofitting wiring after construction is approximately 35–40% more expensive because it’s labor-intensive. Additionally, modern energy-efficient construction methods often make it difficult to install wiring post-build.
3. Prewire for Audio Systems and Speaker Locations
Modern homes often include integrated audio systems for distributing sound from platforms like Spotify or Sonos throughout the home. Consider the following:
- Identify where you’ll want music or entertainment.
- Prewire for in-ceiling or in-wall speakers in living spaces for a clean, built-in look. This saves counter space and provides high-quality sound.
- Prewire for a home theater if you plan to have one. Think about whether you’ll use a dedicated room or a shared family room for entertainment.
Key wiring considerations for a home theater or main entertainment space include:
- CAT6 and power connections for the TV location.
- HDMI cables for video and audio.
- Running all data cabling to a centralized media closet or basement.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Running low-voltage network cables alongside high-voltage electrical wiring. This can create electrical interference and degrade your network signals.
- Failing to wire for future needs while walls are open. It’s much cheaper to install wiring during construction, even if you don’t plan to use it immediately.
- Neglecting a dedicated space for equipment. Nobody wants a pile of routers, modems, and boxes cluttering their living area. Plan a centralized location, like a media closet, to house your technology.
By considering these best practices, you can future-proof your home, enhance its value, and ensure that it’s equipped to meet the demands of modern technology for years to come.
