ToolBase.org logo
The Home Building Industry's Technical Information Resource

Back to Standard View
Search by Building SystemBrowse by Evaluated TechnologyAbout Field Evaluations

Summerset Development Company: Pittsburgh, PA

Summary
Details
Results
Journal
Resources
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Climate Zone: Cold
Subdivision: Summerset at Frick Park
Builder: Summerset Development Company
Evaluation
Start Date:
June 2003
Completion Date: November 2003
Technologies Evaluated:

Objectives:
  • To better understand consumers’ role in the diffusion of technology
  • To provide insight about how to motivate homebuyers to purchase new technologies
General Construction Information:

New Urbanism” community with a mix of high density homes including townhomes, small single-family homes, and larger estates designed to encourage a sense of community and encourage neighborhood interaction.

Significant Results:
  • There was no statistically significant difference between the response of the general regional homebuying population and the group of homebuyers on the waiting list to purchase a home at Summerset at Frick Park.
  • Several of the green building techniques that are commonly considered as important among the industry were least often cited by the homebuyers when defining elements of a green building: infill development, indoor air quality, mold/moisture, and less reliance on automobiles.
  • Energy efficiency was consistently ranked as very important among homebuyers, despite the respondents’ lack of preference for other environmental attributes. This suggests that respondents value energy efficiency for its economic value rather than its environmental value.
  • Survey respondents indicated that certain house features (durable exterior, energy efficiency, and storage space) are more important than community features such as high-quality schools. It may be beneficial for marketing efforts aimed at homebuyers in the Pittsburgh region to focus on energy efficiency, durability, and storage space.
Contributors: