Smaller, energy efficient homes trending for 2015
New construction trends for 2015 reveal that people are looking to build smaller homes with more emphasis on green and energy efficiency.
A recent survey by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) revealed that economics and energy costs are contributing to this year蘑菇视频 downsizing.
Although Fayette County doesn鈥檛 always follow the national housing trend, Chip Ciarrocchi, owner of Cross Creek Estates Development in South Union Township, said the survey is on target for the area.
According to the survey, the size of a new home is hovering around 2,152 square feet, compared to last year蘑菇视频 2,400 square foot average.
In Fayette, Ciarrocchi said the average size for new construction is around 2,100 square-feet, slightly down from the median size of roughly 2,500 square-feet.
The survey reported that consumers are focused on lowering the cost of heating and cooling along with requests for water-efficient appliances and plumbing, LED and compact fluorescent lighting, and energy efficient windows.
Ciarrocchi said while some energy efficient items are considered an upgrade, many manufacturers are already going that route with their products such as appliances and windows that meet or exceed energy star standards.
Rose Quint, NAHB assistant vice president for survey research, said low-e windows are 鈥渧ery likely鈥� to be present in the average new single-family home as well as engineered wood beams, joists, or trusses.
The survey also predicts the living room will evolve into a great room concept merging with other rooms such as the kitchen, family room and dining room.
鈥淧eople are spending less time in a formal living or dining room and going to an open concept, particularly for gatherings,鈥� said Ciarrocchi.
Open floor plans also create a larger appearance of the overall space, Ciarrocchi added.
Steven Melman, NAHB Director of Economic Services, said, 鈥淎lthough affordability is driving these decisions, smaller homes are a positive for builders, it allows for more creative design, more amenities, better flow. It蘑菇视频 an opportunity to deliver a better home.鈥�