Smart Home Tech: Getting Smarter, Greener

NAR Green Designation: The National Association of REALTORS®, through its Green Resource Council, provides the resources and a GREEN designation for participating members to distinguish and promote themselves as experts with specialized skills for assisting buyers interested in purchasing homes that incorporate the principles, practices, and amenities of sustainable energy.

Energy Star: This government site explains the Energy Star program and standards for more efficient products and homes, with links to information on available tax credits and rebates for home owners and Energy Star requirements for new-home construction.

Residential Energy Resource Network: This group develops and promotes national standards for rating the energy efficiency of homes and determining eligibility for applicable federal programs and energy-efficient mortgages. The site is a virtual clearing house of information and resources on all things related to a smart, green home.

Tech Home Rating System: Developed as a reference for new-home construction by the Consumer Electronics Association, this system evaluates a home in terms of its technology infrastructure and its ability to support the data, communications, and entertainment needs of today’s consumers. Three rating levels are offered. Although some aspects of the specifications are technical, they provide insight into the perceived value of a home’s wired and wireless support to tech-savvy buyers.

SmartHome: For an overview of all that’s currently available to make any home smart, start here. This home-automation superstore offers a comprehensive selection of components, modules, and systems. Products are both grouped and searchable by category and brand.

U.S. Green Building Council: The group explains its purpose and goals, the LEED rating system, and what it all means for the future of sustainable homes and neighborhoods on its site. This site includes links to many resources for the green-minded consumer or professional.

ZigBee Alliance: Members of this international association work together to develop and promote green, wireless standards so all types of devices can work together in an integrated system. For the home, ZigBee-certified products figure in home automation systems and the many devices connected to them.