Introduction
The Build to Rent sector is one of the fastest-growing industries in the UK and with its continued growth, there is a need for innovation.
The construction industry has been slow to adopt new technologies, but it’s essential that they do so if we are going to meet demand.
This article will explore some of the major breakthrough technologies in construction that should be standard in every Build To Rent development: from making the actual building process quicker to improving energy efficiency.
Technologies and Process that can make the process of building homes faster and more efficient
Vertical Construction
A way that Build To Rent developers can make the process of building homes faster and more efficient is through vertical construction. Traditional construction would require 45 different trades to have access to site on one day. Vertical construction, however, decreases the number of trades needed on site, thereby reducing the amount of time and resources needed. Vertical construction, which is also known as pre-fabricated building systems, has been proven to improve quality and speed up construction times too.
Net Zero Energy Homes
One way Build To Rent developers can make homes more environmentally friendly is through Net Zero Energy Homes (NZEH). NZEH are new homes that produce as much clean energy as they consume in a year. Net Zero Energy Homes involves the incorporation of renewable, clean energy sources such as solar and wind power. In fact, NZEH can be used to offset carbon emissions from buildings.
Smart HVAC Control
Another way Build To Rent developers can improve energy efficiency in their developments is through smart HVAC controls. Smart HVAC control can help Build To Rent opperators remotely monitor the performance of their properties’ heating and cooling systems, thus allowing them to make any necessary changes before a major issue occurs. Smart HVAC controls also give property owners greater insight into how much energy they
Making the actual building process quicker and more energy efficiency
CLT
Newer construction materials like wood fiber and cross-laminated timber (CLT) can help provide building homes faster, while reducing the carbon footprint of homes. Construction with CLT often starts with the production of wood material in a factory and products such as studs, beams, and panels are made. These then go to an assembly site where they are pieced together on a construction site to make larger components.
The use of CLT in the homebuilding process can deliver significant benefits such as: up to 85% less energy consumption; a drastic reduction in CO2 emissions; a dramatic decrease in glue-related toxic emission; improved indoor air quality for occupants; reduced cold bridging through stud walls and ceilings; faster installation time; and a 50% reduction in air leakage. This results in less waste being generated from the construction process, which greatly reduces landfilling of building materials, saving both energy and carbon emissions that come with it.
Modern technologies can help reduce heating costs by up to 30%
Heat pumps are a prime example of how technological advancements have been able to reduce energy usage by a considerable amount. Heat pumps were actually first invented in the 1870s but it was not until after World War II that they began to become more widely used. Today, heat pumps are found all over the world and there are many different types of systems that can be installed to suit varying needs, including air source, ground source and water source. By using renewable energy like solar power to heat up the outside air it’s possible for homes to be heated at a much lower cost than would be achieved by traditional methods like electric heating systems. This decrease in heating costs also means that there are fewer harmful emissions that need to be released into the environment in order to heat up a home.
It is becoming increasingly possible to create buildings with very little environmental impact thanks to modern technologies.
Smart windows in sustainable construction
An example of a smart window in sustainable construction is by utilizing photovoltaic and thermoelectric technologies. These windows are capable of converting solar energy into electricity or heat, depending on the need. The windows can also be used to regulate the temperature and light inside a building, which is made possible because they work as barriers to both air and water. In this way, the windows can be programmed to either enhance or reduce natural sunlight indoors by adjusting the transparency of the material. As such, they can help to improve building performance through energy savings that range from 25-35%.
Glass is also currently having a tremendous impact on the construction and real estate industries through its ability to be used for cladding purposes. It has been reported that glass accounts for as much as 40% of the total weight of many buildings, which makes it an obvious choice to use in place of other materials such as stone or concrete. Glass can help improve a building’s performance in a number of different ways, including as an insulator against the weather elements, reducing noise and even providing privacy through tinted glazing. This is due to its flexibility: glass can be used for everything from flooring to roofing and when it comes to sustainability, glass buildings are a great way to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Virtual reality modelling software in the build to rent and construction industry
The purpose of virtual reality modeling software is to assist builders, architects, and developers in the production of accurate 3D models before construction even begin. This can provide a number of benefits when it comes to building construction, such as reducing the risk of errors by double-checking these 3D models before sending them off to be built by contractors. When developers use virtual reality modeling software, they are able to see how a finished house will look from any angle or position.
Virtual reality modelling software can also help with cost efficiency because developers can eliminate costly changes on site. For example, if a house has been designed using this type of software and it is later realized that there is a need for an additional window in one room – the designer simply needs to go back and make the alteration to the 3D model, to account for this change. Similarly, it is possible to see how any building additions would fit into a scheme before construction even starts which helps developers avoid overspending on land and new materials. The software can also be used to make long-distance planning possible so that details of upcoming projects can be examined from anywhere in the world.
Technologies used by the most innovative smart buildings in the world
Technologies being implemented in smart buildings include not just occupant benefits, but also energy management technologies. These can be used to make sure that a building stays at an ideal temperature without wasting energy on heating or cooling for empty spaces, or adjust lighting to be as efficient as possible without blinding residents.
The last major innovation that these buildings are implementing is the use of a lot of high-tech systems that can make homes in urban areas safer and more efficient. Security cameras, sensors, and software for analyzing data can be used to help keep tenants safe while also detecting leaks or other issues with facilities.
Some large developments will also include some self-driving technologies as a way of improving convenience for residents. For example, the new head of WeWork co-living is working on an app that can actually take tenants where they need to go by using self-driving cars.
Another important part of these smart buildings’ infrastructure that should be mentioned is the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning. These systems are being used to help predict the needs of the people who live in these buildings. For example, if a resident’s behavior suggests that they will need more energy one night than usual, smart systems might adjust their thermostat or turn on lights for them automatically.
Conclusion
The use of these technologies in new Build To Rent developments can help make the process quicker, safer and more efficient. The three major innovations for smart buildings are not just occupant benefits, but also energy management technologies that can help with everything from making sure a building stays at an ideal temperature without wasting energy on heating or cooling empty spaces to adjusting lighting to be as efficient as possible without blinding residents. Another important part of these intelligent infrastructures is the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning systems which have been used by some developers to predict needs such as if a resident’s behavior suggests they will need more energy one night than usual then their thermostat or lights may be adjusted automatically. These high-tech systems provide convenience for tenants while helping keep operating costs under control.
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