Prefabricated Homes: the answer for Housing Shortage?

The lack of affordable housing affects more and more people across Germany and many other countries worldwide. Increased construction activity is one answer to this, but it comes at a high cost and takes time. A solution to this dilemma can be prefabricated homes.

Prefabricated homes: what are the pros?

Prefabricated homes, also known as modular homes, are getting increasingly popular. They combine several benefits including faster construction time and significant cost savings as prefabricated houses are built in a factory. This allows for a faster construction time compared to traditional on-site building methods.

They also help to respond to the general shortage of skilled workers as standardized modules reduce time and effort already in the planning phase. And even better, prefabricated houses are ahead of the game when it comes to energy efficiency and sustainability. Who does not want to save money when it comes to paying the bills – especially in times of high energy costs.

Smart home enables energy efficiency

The building’s energy efficiency is improved by the construction method and the use of sustainable materials such as wood. Another reason for the better energy efficiency is the consistent implementation of a smart home concept. Residents want to control everything from the temperature to the lighting as conveniently as possible. They also want the option to do this remotely via an app.

EnOcean technology is at the forefront of this development, offering a convenient and secure way to make homes smart and energy efficient. One of the most significant benefits of EnOcean radio technology is its flexibility. It can be used to control a wide range of devices, including:

• Lighting
• Shading
• Heating
• Security Systems

For example, if a window is open, the heating turns off automatically. Sometimes energy saving can be as simple as that.

No wires, no batteries

The wireless and battery-free EnOcean technology is ideal for prefabricated homes because it eliminates the need for wiring during the construction process. Sensors and switches can be placed anywhere in the house without the hassle of installation. This allows for a faster and more streamlined installation process, and also means that homeowners can easily add or remove devices at any time and control them wirelessly. This is why the interoperability of a wireless standard is so immensely important. Only then can residents choose from a variety of devices that meet their different needs at all times. The EnOcean radio protocol is used in more than 5,000 products that can be combined with each other.

So, how does EnOcean technology work? It relies on energy harvesting, which means that it captures energy from the environment and uses it to power the devices. This could be in the form of motion, light, or temperature. Once a sensor or switch is installed, it can be left to run indefinitely without requiring maintenance.

More and more house builders are convinced of the overall package which prefabricated houses offer. Increased construction of prefabricated, smart houses will not solve the housing problem on its own, but they can play an important role as part of the solution.