Features and tRends

(Aug. 30, 2007)

WATER IS THE ESSENCE OF A HEALTHY HOME

With the recent debate over bottled water versus tap, the desire for a healthy home and lifestyle, and the aspiration to protect our natural resources, water is becoming the most influential factor to a healthy and well-designed home.

To be successful, designers, builders and remodelers must take a whole house approach to  incorporating water conserving products in their home designs, particularly in the kitchen and bath. Manufacturers should also seek opportunities to create innovative products that seize the trend of water economy, desire for water purity and the move to decrease energy costs and the reduction of each individual’s footprint on the earth.

Who is driving this trend?
Modern homeowners have been raised during an era when the depleting environment has received considerable media coverage. Headlines continuously focus on the ever increasing gas prices and strains on Mother Nature. Landfills are brimming with more than 38 billion discarded plastic water bottles that are not recycled each year. The carbon footprint of every company and person is coming into question and review. This is a time of ecological crisis in the minds of many who believe that change must happen in order to sustain the natural world around us.

Generations X and Y, in particular, are in constant search of environmentally-friendly products and designs that decrease water usage and provide a platform for a healthy way of life. These generations feel it’s their duty to help transform the world by requesting eco-friendly home designs and incorporating home products and landscapes that reflect this trend. Green is the new black.

More than just vigilant in their purchases of ecologically-sound products, they also research those same purchases vigorously on the Internet. They expect to see technical specifications that relate to energy and natural resource conservation to ensure they are not being greenwashed.

For Boomers and beyond, a healthy and active lifestyle is key to this audience’s evolved outlook on life. They don’t see themselves as “old,” rather it’s their psychological age that is more significant than their chronological one. They’re looking for ways to increase activity in their daily lives while becoming involved in community groups that support the quest for environmental restoration. This restoration is viewed as a reflection of their own commitment to life and living well.

What are the latest water efficiency and healthy applications in the home?
Builders, designers and remodelers must improve home and product designs to provide more efficient systems. Hot in the market are whole house water filtration systems, high-efficiency hybrid water heaters, hands-free and low-flow kitchen and bath faucets, dual-flush toilets, and steam and wellness showers.

Xeriscapes are another major focus that include the reuse of household gray water for irrigation, if any irrigation is even needed. These innovations are at the top of the list for primary residences and as more people come of age and income to afford vacation and second homes, the market and desirability of eco-technology will continue to soar.

How can this be a boost to your bottom line?
Innovation and technology are keywords that most consumers use as benchmarks for the new American home systems and products. This is particularly true with water in the home environment. For today’s home dweller, a faucet is not just a faucet…just as taking a shower is now more than a utilitarian daily activity. Aligning your company or product with the quest to experience water in a healthy and efficient way will show consumers that your company cares about the same thing they consider a priority – Mother Nature.


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