Houston-based custom home builder Frankel Building Group is defying the odds and selling more homes in a rough economy by building homes to LEED standard. To build better homes and distinguish its services from competitors, the family-run, full-service firm has installed Crestron control solutions in each of the homes in ParkGate Reserve, a new residential development in the Woodlands area of Houston. Frankel Building Group sees an opportunity to boost sales by offering energy-efficient homes with smart technology.
Frankel has sold 23 homes in one year and attributes that growth to adaptive sales, superior construction methods, building to LEED standard, and thoughtful design and space planning. The firm specializes in sustainable construction and specifies every home to LEED certification.
Frankel partnered with Houston-based systems integrator, Premier Technology Group, to install a Crestron solution in the ParkGate Reserve homes. Each modern “connected” home is controlled through an Apple® iPad, utilizing Crestron Mobile Pro® G application with customization provided by Premier Technology Group. Homeowners can control home amenities including the gate, garage, lighting, HVAC, fountains, and pool from the virtual Crestron touch screen on the iPad.
The Crestron solution helps reduce energy consumption significantly and allows homeowners to monitor the status of their HVAC in real-time to anticipate utility costs.
“Building smart homes as a standard is a fairly radical concept. We have not seen anyone else do this,” said Scott Frankel, vp/Operations & Construction for Frankel Building Group. Frankel Building Group works closely with the Crestron integrator to set up wireless home networks that provide homeowners with comfort, convenience, and security. Together, the team designs technology packages that make sense for each home and meets the builder’s specific financial goals. The project puts Crestron technology and infrastructure into homes to leverage the power and value that Crestron technology brings to a builder’s efforts to sell homes.
