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CEA's TechHome Rating System |
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BECOME MORE THAN A SUBCONTRACTOR. BECOME A PARTNER. The TechHome Rating System (THRS) is a powerful new nationally-recognized build-to specification for residential technology infrastructure. THRS explains at a glance the level of technological infrastructure—also known as structured wiring—that is present, or could be installed, in a home. Developed by the Consumer Electronics Association’s (CEA) TechHome Division, THRS helps integrators build more productive and solid relationships with builders. Builders increasingly see the value of structured wiring, but many remain intimidated by technology and unaware of the custom installation channel. In CEA’s 7th Annual State of the Builder Technology Market Study (2009), when asked who builders sought to install home technology, only 59 percent of the respondents sought custom installers or Electronic System Contractors (ESC). Meanwhile, the study revealed that 73 percent use electrical contractors to install home technology, and 66 percent use security installers—and both of those figures were up over 2007. THRS is an opportunity for custom installers to strengthen and solidify the relationships between themselves and builders by demonstrating the value, expertise and depth of knowledge your services bring to their business. In addition, with the clarity provided by THRS, integrators and builders can help homebuyers better grasp the technological capabilities and options of each TechHome-rated home they evaluate. With THRS, integrators can better explain and demonstrate to builders how technology can further enhance the value of the homes they offer, while removing the complexity, difficulties and frustrations builders have experienced in the past when adding home technology to their offerings. THRS makes sense of the often unwieldy universe of home technology options. Through THRS, the integrator becomes a true and trusted partner of the builder. In turn, THRS tells prospective homeowners that the builder is forward-thinking, and that they anticipate the needs and desires of the 21st century homebuyer. The TechHome Rating System can: • Help you establish and maintain solid, lasting, productive relationships with builders • Introduce you to tech-enthusiastic consumers who are prepared to spend on digital lifestyles • Differentiate yourself from competitors • Help you better structure and standardize your home technology offerings • Boost your business! LEVELS Depending on the amount and the nature of the structured wiring installed, a home can achieve one of three THRS levels: Bronze (basic), Gold (advanced) or Platinum (premium). A Bronze THRS rating denotes that the home is properly wired to enable the distribution of TV and video, networking and communications in standard living spaces, including the kitchen, the bedroom and the family room/multimedia room. A Gold THRS rating provides all of the capabilities of a Bronze home, adds multi-room audio distribution and system control capabilities, and services a greater number of defi ed living spaces, including the master bathroom, outdoor areas and the dining room.A Platinum THRS rating is the highest designation of a technology-ready home. A Platinum-rated home provides all of the capabilities of a Gold home, and incorporates additional structured wiring to achieve full functionality in eight or more living spaces throughout the property, including a home office. Platinum provides for complete integration throughout the home for multi-room audio and video, control, security and communications. A Platinum THRS home is equipped to deliver the ultimate digital experience for the homeowner. HOMEBUYER BENEFITS You can provide and install a wide variety of electronics products to the homebuyer that can use a TechHome structured wiring system to provide exciting digital lifestyle benefits. The six most prominent examples of what a THRS home can do with your help are: Home Theater Room/Media Room
Using a TechHome infrastructure, a TechHome Integrator can easily set up a home theater or media room where entertainment most commonly will be enjoyed. Products that can be connected to the TechHome infrastructure here include HDTVs, speakers, DVD players, digital video recorders, cable/satellite boxes, radios, iPod docks, A/V receivers, and numerous other products, many of which can be hidden from the homeowner’s view along with the structured wiring. Multi-Room Audio and Video(MRAV)
A TechHome Integrator can use the TechHome infrastructure to distribute music, movies, video, photos and more throughout the property. With an MRAV system in place, each member of the family can share all of the homes content and simultaneously enjoy their own individual digital multimedia experience, in any connected room. Products in this area can include centralized movie, video or audio servers, control management systems, wireless and wired touchscreens, remotes or keypads, in-wall/in-ceiling speakers, HDTV displays and projectors, and much more. Networking and Communication
A TechHome Integrator can maximize a TechHome infrastructure to deliver not only audio and video entertainment but also a fully digital home office environment, with unified communications, telephony, fax, internet access, file sharing, PC networking, centralized calendar, scheduling and more. Complete Home Control
A TechHome Integrator can take advantage of the TechHome infrastructure to implement a home control and automation system that not only can control entertainment throughout the home but also lighting, climate, security and more. Homeowners interact with the system through products such as in-wall and wireless keypads and touch panel PCs—even smart phones. Lighting and Shade Control
A TechHome Integrator can make lighting and shade control automatic and much more “intelligent,” in the process by controlling natural and ambient lighting, room occupancy, thus helping to conserve energy in terms of electricity and energy usage, as well as enhancing moods and ambience. This application can be integrated with a complete home control system or delivered standalone. Safety and Security
A TechHome Integrator can use the TechHome infrastructure to implement a full security system for the home, including video security and remote monitoring. These applications cover the gamut of what consumers are looking for in a digital home. With THRS, you’ll make the builder’s housing stock ready for all of them. IT’S MUCH MORE THAN A HOUSE. IT’S A DIGITAL HOME. In a market more focused on value than perhaps ever before, THRS is a useful indicator to the homebuyer that a home is tech-ready. When evaluating homes with THRS ratings, home buyers will know the kinds of products and applications they can choose from based on that home’s built-in technology infrastructure. The homebuyer knows up front that the home is already equipped for specific tech products and applications they’d like to add and enjoy. All that remains is for the integrator who has partnered with the builder to make it all happen for the homebuyer! Before the homebuilding or remodeling process, the builder consults with the TechHome Integrator to determine the level of infrastructure required and/or present. During the homebuilding or remodeling process, the TechHome integrator installs or upgrades a THRS infrastructure. Once the home is purchased, that same integrator is presented the opportunity to talk with the homebuyer about his or her digital lifestyle needs and subsequently build on that infrastructure, sell and install the products needed to maximize the infrastructure’s functionality, or add services. The TechHome Integrator delivers all of the technology to satisfy the homebuyers’ needs and desires. PUT THE BUILDER AT EASE. The installation of technology and consumer electronics products is often confusing and even intimidating for some builders. In the 7th Annual State of the Builder Technology Market Study (2009), builders communicated that when selecting an installer, their primary factors are price, experience with home builders, completeness of product and service offering, reputation, and positive recommendations. THRS makes it easier than ever before for you to help builders understand, structure, standardize and implement technology in their housing stock. By offering homes with advanced structured wiring infrastructure and resultant TechHome ratings, builders can assure homebuyers that their homes will enable a fully digital lifestyle. What’s more, a TechHome infrastructure can be extended to outdoor zones such as patios, pool areas and outdoor kitchens—a market segment that is gaining significant momentum and that could provide new income opportunities for builders. With THRS, the integrator can position the builder to capitalize on those opportunities. As a TechHome Integrator, you will relieve the builder from the burden of learning about and selling technology products, and build a larger and highly responsive client base in the process by establishing relationships with homebuyers during the building and purchasing process.
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Have questions? We have the answers!
3475 Holcomb Bridge Rd. Suite 202
Norcross, GA 30092
Phone: 866-656-LINK(5465)
Local: 770-209-0086
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