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Many homebuyers today are looking for homes that offer comfort, durability, and long-term savings. Energy Trust of Oregon’s EPS™ New Homes team attended the High-Performance Home Builder Summit, hosted by the Energy & Environmental Building Alliance (EEBA) in St. Paul, Minnesota, from September 17–19, 2025. The summit showcased strategies and innovations that help builders meet the expectations of today’s homebuyers.
Fire Resiliency May Protect Home Investments
With insurers pulling back from high-risk markets, wildfire resilience has become a top priority for homebuyers and builders alike. KB Home introduced its first “fire-resilient” community in Escondido, California, built to meet standards set by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). Homes include non-combustible siding, tempered glass windows, covered gutters, enclosed eaves, and six inches of vertical clearance with concrete, stucco, and stone finishes. These measures may help slow fire spread and enhance insurability for homeowners.
Occupant Behavior Shapes Home Performance
A case study of Englewood Homes’ Alley House in Indianapolis compared a duplex with one unit built to just above code and the other unit built to Passive House standards. After one year of post-occupancy monitoring, the above-code unit used less energy than the Passive House home—mainly due to higher electricity use from devices and appliances plugged into outlets. Even in high-performance homes, occupant behavior and energy-use habits can significantly influence overall home performance.
Smart Monitoring Protects Homes
Advanced home monitoring systems like RIoT Technology provide homeowners with real-time insights on temperature, indoor air quality, and energy use. The technology can detect leaks, anticipate frozen pipes, and track filter changes based on actual use rather than a set timeframe. RIoT can also monitor IAQ and provide tailored suggestions, helping homeowners get ahead of warranty claims, avoid costly repairs, and maintain comfort and safety.
Meeting the Needs of a Changing Homebuyer Market
Each generation of homebuyers is looking for specific qualities in a home. While Boomers prioritize assisted living technology and aging in place, Gen X favors suburban single-family homes and is less likely to invest in efficiency measures unless they see a clear ROI. Millennials prefer compact, easy-to-maintain homes and invest in energy-efficient features to cut costs and support sustainability. Gen Z is budget-conscious but wants all-electric homes, while Gen Alpha, entering the workforce around 2030, will prioritize sustainability and smart technologies like predictive maintenance. Understanding generational preferences can help tailor messaging to meet the needs of today’s diverse buyers.
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Learn more: Email the EPS New Construction team at
[email protected] to explore potential incentives and design support.
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