Home design trends change with each passing year. As technology develops and innovators develop new solutions to outstanding problems, the places we dwell evolve and transform.
Home heating is an aspect of home design that has changed dramatically over the years and will continue to do so as global resources become more limited. Here are six home heating trends of the future to watch for in the world of home design.
A Shift to Solar Power
While solar power still has a way to go before it becomes a predominant energy source, many homeowners and architects are preparing homes for this shift. The upfront costs of creating self-sustaining solar power are substantial. However, it’s becoming more common to have home heating and cooling run through home solar panels.
Solar water heaters are one of the biggest burgeoning trends expected to become commonplace in the near future. These heaters rely on solar power as the primary heating source, using a backup heater on cloudy days and the off-season. To learn more, you can contact TSS Home Comfort for Eagle heating and air services about the benefits of this upcoming trend.
Increase in Smart Home Technology
Smart home technology and the use of smart assistants have become popular in recent years. With each passing year, more homeowners are switching their traditional thermostats and heating systems to smart alternatives.
Smart thermostats allow homeowners to monitor consumption and make changes remotely while also offering valuable insights to help them reduce their consumption. Similarly, smart water monitoring systems provide an early leak detection alarm to prevent costly plumbing issues caused by a faulty water heater or hydronic in-floor heating systems.
Prioritization of Air Quality Monitoring
Home air quality monitoring was once something that got put on the backburner for many consumers. In light of the global pandemic, more homeowners are concerned with air quality monitoring and purification. As air quality is largely dependent on a home’s HVAC system, this issue falls under the umbrella of home heating trends.
According to the EPA, many homes have worse indoor air quality when compared to the surrounding air outdoors. Various factors cause these issues, but poor air quality often ties into outdated home heating systems and combustibles, like wood and oil heat.
HVAC technicians are becoming more specialized in air quality optimization and air scrubbers in residential properties. As technology and demand continue to evolve, it’s expected that today’s specialists will engage in continued education to serve property owners better.
Increased Popularity of Geothermal Heat Pumps
Geothermal heat pumps are considered one of the most sustainable, cost-effective home heating and cooling systems in modern times. As they become more accessible, it’s expected more homeowners and designers will upgrade to this option as their primary heating source.
It’s estimated that geothermal heat pumps pay for themselves in energy savings in five to 10 years. This return on investment benefits both the homeowner who plans on staying put for the foreseeable future and those trying to attract potential buyers.
Innovations in Insulation
While insulation is adjacent to home heating and cooling, it plays an integral role in energy efficiency and HVAC-associated costs.
The North Texas University Research Team recently developed a new type of home insulation that’s stronger, safer and more sustainable than existing types on the market. This innovative development also uses paper waste materials that eventually biodegrade (traditional insulation does not) for a multifaceted approach to sustainability.
Remote Diagnostics and Online Troubleshooting
Finally, the increase in smart home technology and the need for personal safety after the pandemic will result in a shift toward remote home heating diagnostics. Rather than having a technician visit for a service call, homeowners will eventually be able to put in a request online and have a skilled technician diagnose the problem remotely. Furthermore, as AI technology advances, human technicians may not be involved in the diagnostic process at all.
Innovators and architects are coming together in fantastic ways to create the homes of the future. With these developments in home heating, we can look forward to a more energy-efficient and cost-friendly experience in the coming years.
